Stock Comparison
TGT vs WMT: Two Retailers, Two Payout Records
A head-to-head of Target and Walmart covering dividends, payout history, and size.
Updated October 16, 2026
How these figures are calculated: methodology.
Best for
- TGTInvestors who want higher current income (3.01% vs 0.83% for WMT).
- WMTInvestors who want direct ownership of the underlying business, with no fund wrapper or management fee.
Visual comparison
Key metrics
Projected income on $10K
Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Total returns
100% reinvested · ex-date convention. Period returns use this fixed assumption, independent of chart settings. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year.
TGT has outpaced WMT over the trailing twelve months, posting a 78.22% total return against 12.53%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — WMT has compounded at 19.92% a year, ahead of TGT at 11.82%. WMT has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 23.3% against 35.5% for TGT. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.
| Symbol | YTD cumulative | 1Y cumulative | 3Y annualized | 5Y annualized | 10Y annualized | Since Feb 1973 | Volatility | Sharpe | Sortino | Max drawdown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TGT | 62.16% | 78.22% | 15.62% | -6.00% | 11.82% | 13.45% | 35.5% | 0.29 | 0.41 | -49.8% |
| WMT | 7.32% | 12.53% | 31.64% | 21.96% | 19.92% | 18.82% | 23.3% | 1.00 | 1.43 | -23.3% |
Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of October 16, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year. “Since Feb 1973” measures every fund from February 21, 1973 — the start of shared available history — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the trailing 3 years. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the trailing 3 years) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.
Side-by-side snapshot
| Metric |  TGT |  WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Target Corp. | Walmart Inc. |
| Issuer | — | — |
| Last Close | $154.26 as of October 16, 2026 | $118.81 as of October 16, 2026 |
| Distribution rate | 3.01% | 0.83% |
| Trailing 12-month yield | 2.97% | 0.82% |
| Distribution Safety Score™ | 98 | 98 |
| Safety-Adjusted Yield | 2.95% | 0.81% |
| Expense ratio | — | — |
| AUM | — | — |
| Distribution frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Underlying index | — | — |
| Objective | — | Operates retail stores and e-commerce platforms worldwide. Segments include Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club, offering groceries, general merchandise, and financial services. |
| Asset class | Equity | Equity |
| Inception date | N/A | N/A |
| Beta | 0.981 | 0.578 |
| Last dividend | $1.16 declared, pays 12/01/2026 | $0.2475 declared, pays 01/04/2027 |
| Ex-dividend date | 11/10/2026 upcoming | 12/11/2026 upcoming |
Bottom lineChoose TGT if you want higher current income (3.01% vs 0.83% for WMT). Choose WMT if you want direct ownership of the underlying business, with no fund wrapper or management fee.
TGT vs WMT: two retailers, two payout records
Both are US general-merchandise retailers that pay quarterly. Scale and payout history, not a one-date yield.
| TGT | WMT | |
|---|---|---|
| Business | US general merchandise | US general merchandise |
| Payout | Quarterly dividend | Quarterly dividend |
| Distribution rate | 3.01% | 0.83% |
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Quick verdict
TGT (Target Corp.) and WMT (Walmart Inc.) are both quarterly-pay dividend-paying stocks, but they take different approaches.
TGT offers the higher yield at 3.01% vs 0.83% for WMT. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
Who should choose each?
Choose TGT
Target Corp.
- Want higher current income — TGT yields 3.01% vs 0.83% for WMT.
- Want direct stock ownership — full upside and dividend growth potential, no fund wrapper or expense ratio.
Choose WMT
Walmart Inc.
- Want direct stock ownership — full upside and dividend growth potential, no fund wrapper or expense ratio.
- Prefer lower volatility — a beta of 0.6 vs 1.0 for TGT.
Not sure? Use the income calculator and snapshot above to weigh these trade-offs against your own goals.
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Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, TGT would generate roughly $75.25 cash per distribution, while WMT would produce $20.75 cash per distribution, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.
Strategy & risk
TGT is a stock built around consumer staples exposure, while WMT is a stock built around retail exposure. Beta is 0.981 for TGT and 0.578 for WMT, making WMT the less volatile of the two by this measure.
Security details
TGT (Target Corp.) is a stock. WMT (Walmart Inc.) is a stock.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between TGT and WMT for dividends?
Both are US general-merchandise retailers that pay a quarterly dividend. TGT (Target Corp.) distributes 3.01% and WMT (Walmart Inc.) distributes 0.83% as of October 2026. Compare payout history and scale, not a one-date yield race.
What is the current distribution rate for TGT and WMT?
TGT currently distributes 3.01% and WMT 0.83%, based on fund data updated October 2026. Distribution rate moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.
Is TGT or WMT better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. TGT currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.
What is the difference between TGT and WMT?
TGT (Target Corp.) is a stock built around consumer staples exposure, while WMT (Walmart Inc.) is a stock built around retail exposure. They are issued by — and — respectively.
Can I hold both TGT and WMT?
Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.
Is TGT or WMT safer?
By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — they are effectively tied: TGT scores 98, WMT scores 98. Neither has a clear safety edge on that measure. WMT has also shown lower price volatility (beta 0.58 vs 0.98 for TGT). No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.
How much income does $10,000 in TGT vs WMT generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in TGT would generate roughly $75.25 cash per distribution ($301.00 annually). The same in WMT would produce about $20.75 cash per distribution ($83.00 annually).
Which has performed better historically, TGT or WMT?
TGT has outpaced WMT over the trailing twelve months, posting a 78.22% total return against 12.53%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — WMT has compounded at 19.92% a year, ahead of TGT at 11.82%. WMT has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 23.3% against 35.5% for TGT. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
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TGT vs WMT — at a glance
Generated October 17, 2026.
Overview
Target and Walmart are both large-cap retail stocks with quarterly dividends, but they compete in distinct market segments and carry meaningfully different risk profiles. Target operates a leaner store footprint focused on general merchandise and apparel in the U.S., while Walmart runs a diversified global retail empire spanning supermarkets, Sam's Club membership warehouses, and e-commerce. The difference in dividend yield—3.01% for Target versus 0.83% for Walmart—reflects both their capital allocation philosophies and business cycles.
How they differ
The most striking difference is yield: Target distributes 3.01%, more than three times Walmart's 0.83%. Target has historically prioritized returning cash to shareholders through higher dividend payouts and share buybacks, while Walmart has grown earnings and retained capital for expansion and acquisitions. Their risk profiles diverge sharply too—Target carries a 0.981 beta, meaning it tracks the broader market closely, whereas Walmart's 0.578 beta suggests lower volatility and defensive characteristics. Structurally, Walmart operates internationally and through Sam's Club, a membership model that creates recurring revenue, while Target remains predominantly U.S. focused on discretionary retail.
Who each is best for
TGT: Fits investors seeking higher current income from a quality retailer with a track record of capital returns, who can tolerate market-correlated volatility and are comfortable with exposure to consumer discretionary spending cycles.
WMT: Designed for investors prioritizing stability and defensive exposure to essential retail (groceries, household goods) with lower portfolio volatility, accepting a modest yield in exchange for broader geographic diversification and a subscription-revenue model.
Key risks to know
- Discretionary spending sensitivity: Target's apparel and home-goods revenue is more vulnerable to economic slowdowns and shifts in consumer confidence than Walmart's grocery-heavy mix, which can pressure both earnings and dividend sustainability during recessions.
- Beta and drawdown risk: Target's 0.981 beta means sharper declines during market corrections. Walmart's 0.578 beta provides cushion, making it more resilient in downturns but potentially limiting upside capture in rallies.
- Real estate and store productivity: Both retailers face pressure from e-commerce, but Target's smaller store base and higher real-estate cost per square foot leave less room for margin improvement if traffic declines or conversion falls.
- Yield sustainability and capital allocation: Target's elevated 3.01% yield depends on sustained cash generation and management's commitment to payouts; a shift toward reinvestment in stores or digital could reduce distributions.
Bottom line
If you prioritize current income and can tolerate market-level volatility, Target's yield stands out; if you value downside cushion and steady, slower-growing income from a diversified global platform, Walmart's lower volatility and stability are the draw. Both are mature dividend payers with established track records. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.
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The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.
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These comparisons follow the Dividend Vision methodology.