
The payout ratio is a key metric for investors to understand the financial health of a company like Pfizer.
Pfizer's payout ratio has been consistently above 50% over the past five years, indicating a significant portion of its earnings are being distributed to shareholders.
A high payout ratio can be a sign of a company's financial stability and ability to generate cash.
However, it also means that Pfizer may have limited room for future growth and investment.
Worth a look: Ticker Symbol Pfizer
What is Payout Ratio
The payout ratio is a crucial metric for investors to evaluate the sustainability of a company's dividend. It represents the percentage of earnings paid out as dividends.
A payout ratio above 75% can signal that a dividend is at risk, but Pfizer's historical payout ratio of approximately 50% suggests a more secure dividend. This is a key takeaway from the company's track record.
Pfizer's current payout ratio of 443% seems alarming at first glance, but it's attributed to temporary factors like declining sales and recent acquisitions.
For more insights, see: Pfizer Stock Buyback
What is Payout Ratio in Stock Evaluation
A payout ratio is a crucial metric in stock evaluation that measures how much of a company's earnings are being paid out as dividends. It's usually expressed as a percentage.
Pfizer's payout ratio of 443% appears unsustainable at first glance, but this is due to temporary factors like declining COVID-19 product sales and recent acquisitions. Historically, Pfizer has maintained a payout ratio of approximately 50%.
A payout ratio above 75% can signal that a dividend is on the chopping block, so it's essential to keep an eye on this metric.
Intriguing read: Pfe Stock Symbol
The Problem(s) with Payout Ratio
Payout ratios don't tell the full story because they're based on net income, which can be skewed by non-recurring charges.
Pfizer's net income in 2016 was weighed down by $600 million in one-time write-offs for a generic injectable antibiotic product and an anemia drug.
The denominator in the dividend payout ratio is net income, but it doesn't account for future earnings prospects.
On a similar theme: The Payout Ratio Equals Cash Dividends Divided by Net Income.
Pfizer's earnings growth over the past five years has been weak, but there are reasons to think that's about to change.
The consensus among Wall Street analysts is that Pfizer's annual earnings growth over the next five years will be nearly six times higher than the past five years.
Pfizer's pipeline includes 94 programs, eight of which are awaiting regulatory approval and another 33 of which are in late-stage clinical studies.
Dividend payout ratios capture only a snapshot in time and don't necessarily mean a company won't be able to pay dividends in the future.
Pfizer Payout Ratio
Pfizer's payout ratio of 221.1% is significantly higher than its Healthcare sector average of 40.7%.
This elevated payout ratio is also higher than its peers, indicating that Pfizer is distributing a larger portion of its income to shareholders.
Pfizer's payout ratio is 443% higher than its sector average, which may raise concerns about the sustainability of its dividend payments.
Additional reading: Average Financial Ratios
Here is a summary of Pfizer's dividend metrics:
This suggests that while Pfizer's payout ratio is high, the company has a long history of paying consistent dividends and has maintained a relatively stable dividend growth rate over the past five years.
Pfizer Payout Ratio History
Pfizer's payout ratio has historically been a key factor in understanding the company's dividend sustainability.
Pfizer has maintained a payout ratio of approximately 50% over time, which is considerably lower than the 75% threshold that can signal a dividend is on the chopping block.
This relatively low payout ratio suggests that Pfizer has a strong track record of managing its dividend payments.
Historically, Pfizer's payout ratio has been significantly lower than its current rate of 443%, which is a result of temporary factors such as declining COVID-19 product sales and recent acquisitions.
Pfizer Payout Ratio Metrics
Pfizer's dividend payout ratio is a staggering 441.85%. This means that nearly 442% of the company's net income is being distributed to stockholders.
The frequency of Pfizer's dividend payments is quarterly, which is consistent throughout the year.
Pfizer has a long history of paying out dividends, with a continuous streak of 26 years.
Over the past 5 years, Pfizer's dividend growth rate has been a modest 4.32%. However, the actual growth in dividends has been more significant, with a 23.53% increase over the same period.
The dividend stability index (DSI) for Pfizer is 0.57, indicating a relatively stable dividend payment history over the past 7 years.
Here's a summary of Pfizer's dividend metrics:
High-Yield Stock with Long-Term Potential
Pfizer's payout ratio of 443% may seem alarming, but it's a temporary situation due to declining COVID-19 product sales and recent acquisitions.
The company's historical payout ratio is around 50%, which is a more sustainable level. This is significantly lower than the 75% threshold that can signal a dividend is at risk.
Pfizer's forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 9.5x 2026 projected earnings provides a significant margin of safety.
Here are some key dividend metrics for Pfizer:
Pfizer has a long history of paying dividends, with 26 consecutive years of dividend payments. The company pays out dividends 4 times a year.
The current dividend yield on Pfizer's stocks is 1.62%, based on a recommended dividend of $0.43 per share.
Investing in Pfizer
Investing in Pfizer can be a great option for those looking for a stable pharmaceutical company.
Pfizer is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, with a market capitalization of over $500 billion.
The company has a long history of innovation, with a portfolio of over 8,000 products.
Pfizer's revenue has consistently increased over the years, with a 5-year average growth rate of 10%.
The company's payout ratio is relatively high, at around 50% of its earnings.
This means that Pfizer pays out a significant portion of its profits to shareholders in the form of dividends.
Investors should consider Pfizer's payout ratio carefully before making an investment decision.
However, the company's strong financials and consistent dividend payments make it an attractive option for many investors.
Pfizer's dividend yield is around 4%, which is higher than the industry average.
This suggests that investors can earn a relatively stable stream of income from their investment in Pfizer.
Pfizer vs Peers
Pfizer's payout ratio is actually lower than its peers in the pharmaceutical industry.
Pfizer's payout ratio is 22%, which is lower than many of its competitors.
For example, Eli Lilly's payout ratio is 53%, and Merck's is 57%.
Pfe Vs Peer
In this section, we'll take a closer look at how Pfizer stacks up against its peers in terms of dividend yield and payout ratio.
Pfizer's dividend yield of 6.34% is significantly lower than Novartis' 7.68%.
The company's payout ratio of 221.1% is alarmingly high, indicating that Pfizer is paying out a substantial portion of its earnings as dividends.
Explore further: Payout Ratio vs Dividend Yield

Here's a comparison of Pfizer's payout ratio with its peers:
Pfizer's payout ratio is notably higher than most of its peers, which could be a cause for concern for investors.
Bristol Myers Squibb's payout ratio is not available, but it's worth noting that a payout ratio of 221.1% is unusually high.
Apple and Wells Fargo Exit This Week
Apple and Wells Fargo are two notable companies that exit this week. Apple and Wells Fargo go ex-dividend this week, according to the latest updates. This means that investors who want to receive the dividend payment will need to buy the shares before the ex-dividend date. Apple, a tech giant, is one of the companies going ex-dividend this week.
Pfizer Payout Ratio Analysis
Pfizer's payout ratio of 221.1% is significantly higher than its peers, including Novartis AG with a payout ratio of 87.1% and Bristol Myers Squibb Co with a payout ratio of N/A.
However, this elevated payout ratio is largely due to temporary factors, such as declining COVID-19 product sales and recent acquisitions. Historically, Pfizer has maintained a payout ratio of approximately 50%, which is a more sustainable level.
A key point to note is that Pfizer's cash flow is robust and doesn't seem to be a concern for paying dividends. The company's operating cash flow is strong, and the negative cash flow from financing activity is largely due to share buybacks, which Pfizer can stop at any time.
Here's a comparison of Pfizer's dividend yield and payout ratio with its peers:
Pfizer Payout Ratio Analysis
Pfizer's payout ratio of 443% may seem alarming at first, but it's largely due to temporary factors like declining COVID-19 product sales and recent acquisitions.
Historically, Pfizer has maintained a payout ratio of approximately 50%, which is significantly lower than the 75% threshold that can signal a dividend is at risk.
Pfizer's forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 9.5x 2026 projected earnings provides a considerable margin of safety, offering upside potential if the company executes on its pipeline and growth initiatives.
The company's cash flow doesn't look scary at all, with robust operating cash flow that can support dividend payments.
Pfizer's net cash used in financing activity was negative $6.7 billion in the first nine months of the year, but this was largely due to buying back shares, which the company can stop at any time.
Pfizer's SEC filings confirm that the company believes it will have sufficient liquidity to continue paying and potentially increasing dividends in the future.
Pfe History (Paid, Declared, Estimated)
Pfizer's payout history shows a consistent quarterly payout of $0.4300, starting from 2025 and continuing through 2027. This payout is declared on the 9th of October or December, depending on the year, and paid on the 1st or 2nd of March, June, September, or December.
The payout amount remains the same across all years, with no growth in calendar year payout. This suggests that Pfizer's dividend policy is stable and predictable.
The payout is qualified, meaning it meets certain tax requirements, and is a regular payout, not a special one-time payment. The frequency is quarterly, paid every three months.
Here's a summary of the payout history:
Pfizer Stock Information
Pfizer's dividend yield is a notable 5.73%, significantly higher than the S&P 500 average of 1.35%.
The company's payout ratio of 443% is a temporary issue due to declining COVID-19 product sales and recent acquisitions.
Pfizer has historically maintained a payout ratio of around 50%, which is well below the 75% threshold that can signal dividend cuts.
This low payout ratio suggests that Pfizer's dividend is more sustainable than it initially appears.
Pfizer Payout Ratio Yield
Pfizer's dividend yield of 6.34% is above the Healthcare sector average of 1.95%, making it 225% higher.
Pfizer's current dividend yield is significantly higher than its historical 5-year average of 4.3%.
This means Pfizer is paying out a larger portion of its profits to shareholders in the form of dividends.
Readers also liked: Current Ratio Higher
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times does Pfizer pay dividends?
Pfizer typically pays 4 dividends per year, excluding special payments. This frequency is based on historical data and may vary.
Sources
- https://fullratio.com/stocks/nyse-pfe/dividend
- https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/the-scariest-thing-about-pfizers-dividend
- https://www.dividend.com/stocks/health-care/biotech-pharma/large-pharma/pfe-pfizer/
- https://www.fool.com/investing/2024/10/16/why-im-considering-leaning-heavily-into-pfizer/
- https://finrange.com/en/company/NYSE/PFE/dividends
Featured Images: pexels.com