Business · Markets · 2 days ago
CSL and Commonwealth Bank offer SMSF investors different strengths
The comparison looks at CSL and Commonwealth Bank of Australia, two large companies listed on Australia's stock exchange.
It considers them as possible investments for self-managed super funds, or SMSFs, which are retirement funds managed by their members.
CSL is a global healthcare company whose businesses include plasma products, vaccines and treatments for serious diseases.
Commonwealth Bank is Australia's largest bank by market value and offers banking, lending, wealth and insurance services.
The figures in the comparison show CSL with a 2.27% unfranked dividend yield and a reported price-to-earnings ratio of 18.12, while Commonwealth Bank has a 3.31% fully franked yield and a ratio of 23.38.
The article notes that CSL's reported negative earnings per share does not appear to match its positive price-to-earnings ratio, and says the ratio may use a different earnings measure.
It presents the choice as a trade-off between CSL's lower reported valuation and Commonwealth Bank's higher, fully franked dividend, without giving a definitive winner.
CSL and Commonwealth Bank of Australia offer SMSF investors different strengths, according to a Motley Fool AU comparison.
CSL is presented as a global healthcare company, while CBA is Australia's largest listed company by market capitalisation.
The article reports CSL's dividend yield at 2.27%, unfranked, and CBA's at 3.31%, fully franked.
It says CSL has a lower reported price-to-earnings ratio, while CBA's higher ratio reflects a premium for its market position and stability.
- Who
- CSL Ltd and Commonwealth Bank of Australia, and SMSF investors considering their shares.
- What
- A comparison of the companies' strengths, valuations and dividends for SMSF investors.
- When
- The article was published on 9 October 2026.
- Where
- Both companies are listed on the Australian Securities Exchange; CSL operates in over 40 countries, and CBA operates in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the UK and the US.
- Why
- The article compares the shares to help SMSF investors weigh their different portfolio roles and income characteristics.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
CSL is a global healthcare leader, while CBA is Australia's biggest bank by market cap.
CBA's dividend has a clear after-tax edge for SMSFs thanks to full franking.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- CSL market capitalisation
- $87.33 billion
- CBA market capitalisation
- $251.64 billion
- CSL dividend yield
- 2.27%, unfranked
- CBA dividend yield
- 3.31%, fully franked
- CSL reported P/E ratio
- 18.12
- CBA reported P/E ratio
- 23.38
Sources
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