Realty Income Corporation Named Among Best Dividend Stocks to Buy Now
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 38 minutes ago
0mins
Source: Yahoo Finance
- Dividend Growth Record: Since its listing on the NYSE in 1994, Realty Income Corporation has increased its monthly dividend 134 times and delivered 114 consecutive quarterly dividend increases, establishing its reputation as a reliable dividend payer.
- Strong Financial Performance: In the first quarter, adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) reached $1.13 per share, reflecting a 6.6% year-over-year growth that supported a 1.8% dividend increase while reducing the payout ratio to 71.7%.
- Portfolio Stability: The company maintained a 98.9% occupancy rate in the first quarter, matching the previous quarter and improving from 98.5% a year earlier, with healthy leasing activity resulting in new and renewal leases on 243 properties at an average rental rate 3.4% higher than prior leases.
- Investment Expansion: Realty Income invested $2.8 billion in new properties during the quarter, including $200 million through its strategic partner network, with disciplined growth and a conservative payout ratio supporting its long-standing record of dividend increases.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy O?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on O
Wall Street analysts forecast O stock price to rise
11 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
7 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 61.690
Low
60.00
Averages
62.59
High
67.50
Current: 61.690
Low
60.00
Averages
62.59
High
67.50
About O
Realty Income Corporation is a real estate investment trust. The Company is engaged in the acquisition, ownership, and management of freestanding commercial properties leased under long‑term net lease agreements to a diversified base of operators, including a blend of investment grade, investment grade equivalent, and other clients. It owns a portfolio of over 15,500 properties in all 50 United States (U.S.) states, the United Kingdom, and eight other countries in Europe. It is engaged in a single business activity, which is the leasing of property to clients, generally on a net basis. That business activity spans various geographic boundaries and includes property types and clients engaged in various industries. Its property types include retail, industrial, gaming, and other. Its industry concentrations include grocery, convenience stores, home improvement, dollar stores, restaurants-quick service, health and fitness, drug stores, automotive service, among others.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Realty Income Corporation Named Among Best Dividend Stocks to Buy Now
- Dividend Growth Record: Since its listing on the NYSE in 1994, Realty Income Corporation has increased its monthly dividend 134 times and delivered 114 consecutive quarterly dividend increases, establishing its reputation as a reliable dividend payer.
- Strong Financial Performance: In the first quarter, adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) reached $1.13 per share, reflecting a 6.6% year-over-year growth that supported a 1.8% dividend increase while reducing the payout ratio to 71.7%.
- Portfolio Stability: The company maintained a 98.9% occupancy rate in the first quarter, matching the previous quarter and improving from 98.5% a year earlier, with healthy leasing activity resulting in new and renewal leases on 243 properties at an average rental rate 3.4% higher than prior leases.
- Investment Expansion: Realty Income invested $2.8 billion in new properties during the quarter, including $200 million through its strategic partner network, with disciplined growth and a conservative payout ratio supporting its long-standing record of dividend increases.
See More
Stable Growth of High-Yield Stocks
- Brookfield Infrastructure: Brookfield Infrastructure has increased its dividend every year for 17 years, achieving a 9% compound annual growth rate, and aims to continue growing dividends at a rate of 5% to 9% annually, demonstrating strong cash flow stability.
- Realty Income: Realty Income has raised its dividend 134 times since going public in 1994, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.2%, and has maintained a conservative payout ratio and strong balance sheet, positioning it well for continued portfolio expansion.
- Verizon Communications: Verizon has raised its dividend for 19 consecutive years, currently yielding nearly 6%, and is projected to generate $21.5 billion in free cash flow this year, comfortably covering its $11.6 billion dividend cost, indicating robust financial health and growth potential.
- Advantages of High-Yield Stocks: Brookfield, Realty Income, and Verizon are considered ideal high-yield stocks due to their stable cash flows and financial strength, making them top choices for investors seeking passive income.
See More
High-Yield Stocks for Passive Income Generation
- Brookfield Infrastructure: Brookfield Infrastructure currently offers a dividend yield exceeding 4%, significantly higher than the S&P 500's 1.1%, and has increased its dividend annually for 17 years at a 9% compound annual growth rate, with expectations to continue growing at 5% to 9% annually, showcasing its stable cash flows and strong market position.
- Realty Income: Realty Income owns over 15,500 properties and currently yields more than 5%, having raised its dividend 134 times since its 1994 IPO at a 4.2% compound annual growth rate, maintaining growth for 114 consecutive quarters, indicating robust financial capacity and long-term growth potential.
- Verizon Communications: Verizon offers a nearly 6% dividend yield and has raised its dividend for 19 consecutive years, with projected free cash flow of $21.5 billion this year, sufficient to cover its $11.6 billion annual dividend payout, reflecting strong cash flow and solid financial health.
- Core Income Holdings: Brookfield Infrastructure, Realty Income, and Verizon are ideal high-yield stocks that provide investors with stable cash flows and ongoing growth, making them suitable for those looking to start generating passive income.
See More
Realty Income to Present at Nareit's REITweek Investor Conference
- Investor Conference Participation: Realty Income's CEO, Sumit Roy, will participate in the Nareit REITweek Investor Conference on June 3, 2026, showcasing the company's strategic direction and market performance, which is expected to attract investor interest and enhance the company's image.
- Live Webcast Arrangement: The presentation will be broadcast live via webcast, accessible through the Investor Relations section of Realty Income's website, ensuring transparency and enhancing interaction with investors, thereby solidifying the company's trust in the market.
- Consistent Dividend Payments: Realty Income has declared 671 consecutive monthly dividends since its inception and has increased dividends for over 31 years, a stable dividend policy that not only attracts long-term investors but also strengthens the company's competitive position in the market.
- Global Asset Portfolio: As of March 31, 2026, Realty Income boasts a portfolio of over 15,500 properties across the U.S., the U.K., and eight other European countries, providing a stable income source and laying the groundwork for future expansion.
See More
Bentley Systems Faces Disruption from AI Technologies
- Software Disruption Risk: Bentley Systems acknowledges that its software market is being disrupted by artificial intelligence, which could impact its future market share and revenue growth, particularly in the construction and engineering sectors.
- Housing Market Demand: Pool Corporation highlights that insufficient housing turnover is a major barrier to its business growth, indicating that a sluggish real estate market may negatively affect its sales.
- Dividend Appeal: Realty Income expresses confidence in its dividend strategy, believing that its dividends will attract more investors and potentially drive stock price increases, reflecting market demand for stable income.
- Investor Confidence: Jim Cramer's investment advice indicates a strong market confidence in long-term investments, especially in uncertain economic conditions, emphasizing the importance of sound investment strategies.
See More
Four High-Yield Dividend Stocks Recommended
- Coca-Cola's Stability: Coca-Cola (KO) raised its quarterly dividend from $0.51 to $0.53 this year, marking 64 consecutive years of increases, which underscores its status as a 'Dividend King'; the current yield stands at 2.6%, significantly above the S&P 500's 1.1%.
- PepsiCo's Growth: PepsiCo (PEP) announced a 4% increase in its quarterly dividend to $1.48 this month, having raised dividends for 54 consecutive years, with a current yield of 4%, nearly four times that of the S&P 500, reflecting its strong profitability and market competitiveness.
- Procter & Gamble's Long-Term Commitment: Procter & Gamble (PG) has paid dividends since 1890 and has raised them for 70 straight years, with the latest quarterly payout increased by 3% to $1.0885, yielding 3.1%, supported by over $11 billion in free cash flow that easily covers $7.6 billion in dividends.
- Realty Income's Appeal: Realty Income (O), a REIT, pays monthly dividends and recently raised its payout from $0.27 to $0.2705, yielding 5.2%, well above the FTSE Nareit All Equity REITs Index's 3.7%, demonstrating its strong cash flow and distribution capacity.
See More
Realty Income Corporation Named Among Best Dividend Stocks to Buy Now
- Dividend Growth Record: Since its listing on the NYSE in 1994, Realty Income Corporation has increased its monthly dividend 134 times and delivered 114 consecutive quarterly dividend increases, establishing its reputation as a reliable dividend payer.
- Strong Financial Performance: In the first quarter, adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) reached $1.13 per share, reflecting a 6.6% year-over-year growth that supported a 1.8% dividend increase while reducing the payout ratio to 71.7%.
- Portfolio Stability: The company maintained a 98.9% occupancy rate in the first quarter, matching the previous quarter and improving from 98.5% a year earlier, with healthy leasing activity resulting in new and renewal leases on 243 properties at an average rental rate 3.4% higher than prior leases.
- Investment Expansion: Realty Income invested $2.8 billion in new properties during the quarter, including $200 million through its strategic partner network, with disciplined growth and a conservative payout ratio supporting its long-standing record of dividend increases.
See More
Stable Growth of High-Yield Stocks
- Brookfield Infrastructure: Brookfield Infrastructure has increased its dividend every year for 17 years, achieving a 9% compound annual growth rate, and aims to continue growing dividends at a rate of 5% to 9% annually, demonstrating strong cash flow stability.
- Realty Income: Realty Income has raised its dividend 134 times since going public in 1994, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.2%, and has maintained a conservative payout ratio and strong balance sheet, positioning it well for continued portfolio expansion.
- Verizon Communications: Verizon has raised its dividend for 19 consecutive years, currently yielding nearly 6%, and is projected to generate $21.5 billion in free cash flow this year, comfortably covering its $11.6 billion dividend cost, indicating robust financial health and growth potential.
- Advantages of High-Yield Stocks: Brookfield, Realty Income, and Verizon are considered ideal high-yield stocks due to their stable cash flows and financial strength, making them top choices for investors seeking passive income.
See More
High-Yield Stocks for Passive Income Generation
- Brookfield Infrastructure: Brookfield Infrastructure currently offers a dividend yield exceeding 4%, significantly higher than the S&P 500's 1.1%, and has increased its dividend annually for 17 years at a 9% compound annual growth rate, with expectations to continue growing at 5% to 9% annually, showcasing its stable cash flows and strong market position.
- Realty Income: Realty Income owns over 15,500 properties and currently yields more than 5%, having raised its dividend 134 times since its 1994 IPO at a 4.2% compound annual growth rate, maintaining growth for 114 consecutive quarters, indicating robust financial capacity and long-term growth potential.
- Verizon Communications: Verizon offers a nearly 6% dividend yield and has raised its dividend for 19 consecutive years, with projected free cash flow of $21.5 billion this year, sufficient to cover its $11.6 billion annual dividend payout, reflecting strong cash flow and solid financial health.
- Core Income Holdings: Brookfield Infrastructure, Realty Income, and Verizon are ideal high-yield stocks that provide investors with stable cash flows and ongoing growth, making them suitable for those looking to start generating passive income.
See More
Realty Income to Present at Nareit's REITweek Investor Conference
- Investor Conference Participation: Realty Income's CEO, Sumit Roy, will participate in the Nareit REITweek Investor Conference on June 3, 2026, showcasing the company's strategic direction and market performance, which is expected to attract investor interest and enhance the company's image.
- Live Webcast Arrangement: The presentation will be broadcast live via webcast, accessible through the Investor Relations section of Realty Income's website, ensuring transparency and enhancing interaction with investors, thereby solidifying the company's trust in the market.
- Consistent Dividend Payments: Realty Income has declared 671 consecutive monthly dividends since its inception and has increased dividends for over 31 years, a stable dividend policy that not only attracts long-term investors but also strengthens the company's competitive position in the market.
- Global Asset Portfolio: As of March 31, 2026, Realty Income boasts a portfolio of over 15,500 properties across the U.S., the U.K., and eight other European countries, providing a stable income source and laying the groundwork for future expansion.
See More
Bentley Systems Faces Disruption from AI Technologies
- Software Disruption Risk: Bentley Systems acknowledges that its software market is being disrupted by artificial intelligence, which could impact its future market share and revenue growth, particularly in the construction and engineering sectors.
- Housing Market Demand: Pool Corporation highlights that insufficient housing turnover is a major barrier to its business growth, indicating that a sluggish real estate market may negatively affect its sales.
- Dividend Appeal: Realty Income expresses confidence in its dividend strategy, believing that its dividends will attract more investors and potentially drive stock price increases, reflecting market demand for stable income.
- Investor Confidence: Jim Cramer's investment advice indicates a strong market confidence in long-term investments, especially in uncertain economic conditions, emphasizing the importance of sound investment strategies.
See More
Four High-Yield Dividend Stocks Recommended
- Coca-Cola's Stability: Coca-Cola (KO) raised its quarterly dividend from $0.51 to $0.53 this year, marking 64 consecutive years of increases, which underscores its status as a 'Dividend King'; the current yield stands at 2.6%, significantly above the S&P 500's 1.1%.
- PepsiCo's Growth: PepsiCo (PEP) announced a 4% increase in its quarterly dividend to $1.48 this month, having raised dividends for 54 consecutive years, with a current yield of 4%, nearly four times that of the S&P 500, reflecting its strong profitability and market competitiveness.
- Procter & Gamble's Long-Term Commitment: Procter & Gamble (PG) has paid dividends since 1890 and has raised them for 70 straight years, with the latest quarterly payout increased by 3% to $1.0885, yielding 3.1%, supported by over $11 billion in free cash flow that easily covers $7.6 billion in dividends.
- Realty Income's Appeal: Realty Income (O), a REIT, pays monthly dividends and recently raised its payout from $0.27 to $0.2705, yielding 5.2%, well above the FTSE Nareit All Equity REITs Index's 3.7%, demonstrating its strong cash flow and distribution capacity.
See More
