Retailers Navigate Tariff Challenges with Dividend Stocks
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 05 2026
0mins
Source: Fool
- Stability of REITs: Realty Income generates approximately 80% of its rent from single-tenant retail properties and employs a net lease model, which shifts most property-level operating costs to tenants, boasting over 15,500 properties that mitigate single-asset risk while achieving 31 consecutive annual dividend increases, highlighting its stable business model.
- Attractive Dividend Yield: Realty Income offers a 4.8% dividend yield, appealing to income-focused investors looking to reduce tariff risk; although tariffs impact tenant products and services, Realty Income is insulated from increased maintenance costs due to its non-responsibility for property expenses.
- Growth Potential of Agree Realty: Agree Realty, with around 2,600 retail properties, is small enough to grow rapidly, achieving a 5% annualized dividend growth rate, with a 3.5% increase in 2025, significantly outpacing Realty Income's growth, indicating strong growth potential.
- Opportunities from Tariffs: Both Realty Income and Agree Realty may see their tenants needing to raise capital due to tariff pressures, potentially leading to property sales to net lease REITs, which could allow these companies to benefit from the tariff environment.
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: 61.150
Low
60.00
Averages
62.59
High
67.50
Current: 61.150
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.
Stable Growth of Real Estate Investment Trust Stocks
- Dividend Growth History: Realty Income has raised its dividends for 114 consecutive quarters since going public in 1994, recently increasing the monthly payout from $0.27 to $0.2705, demonstrating its stability and appeal in uncertain markets.
- Strong Rental Income: This REIT primarily owns retail properties, with 79% of its rental income from this sector; despite the threat of e-commerce, it maintains a high occupancy rate of nearly 99% by leasing to resilient businesses like grocery and home improvement stores, showcasing its operational resilience.
- AFFO Growth: Last year, Realty Income's adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) per share grew about 2%, from $4.19 to $4.28, with management expecting a further increase of 2.3% to 3.3% this year, providing a solid foundation for future dividend hikes.
- Yield Advantage: At the new monthly dividend rate, Realty Income boasts a 5.4% dividend yield, significantly higher than the S&P 500's 1.2% and the FTSE Nareit All Equity REITs Index's 3.7%, making it an attractive choice for income-seeking investors.
See More
REALTY INCOME CORP SUBMITS SEC FILING FOR UNDISCLOSED NOTES OFFERING
Company Filing: Realty Income Corp has filed for notes offering, indicating a move to raise capital.
Size of Offering: The specific size of the notes offering has not been disclosed in the filing.
See More
Analysis of REIT Income Yields
- REIT Overview: Realty Income owns over 15,500 properties across the U.S., U.K., and seven European countries, maintaining an occupancy rate above 96% since its 1994 IPO, with a projected increase to 98.9% by 2025, demonstrating its resilience and attractiveness in the market.
- AGNC Portfolio Characteristics: AGNC primarily invests in a $94.8 billion portfolio of mortgage-backed securities (MBS), generating profits mainly from interest income; despite a high dividend yield of 14.63%, its near-term earnings growth may face challenges due to interest rate fluctuations.
- Impact of Interest Rate Changes: As interest rates decline, Realty Income will be able to purchase new properties at lower costs and maintain high occupancy rates, while AGNC can sustain a high net interest rate spread in its MBS trades, attracting investors from lower-yielding deposit products to higher-yielding REITs.
- Yield Outlook Comparison: Realty Income expects its adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) per share to rise 2%-3% in 2026, easily covering its $3.24 annual dividend, while AGNC anticipates a 4% increase in earnings per share (EPS), but its uncertain market environment makes Realty Income's simpler business model less risky and more appealing.
See More
Market Performance Analysis of Realty Income and AGNC
- High Occupancy Rates: Realty Income has maintained occupancy rates above 96% since its IPO in 1994, with the year-end rate rising from 98.6% in 2023 to 98.9% in 2025, demonstrating its ability to attract strong tenants even in challenging market conditions, thereby enhancing its competitive position.
- Yield Comparison: Realty Income offers a forward yield of 5.3%, with expected adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) per share rising 2%-3% to $4.38-$4.42 in 2026, comfortably covering its $3.24 per share dividend, showcasing its stable cash flow and investment appeal.
- AGNC's Earnings Challenges: AGNC boasts a higher forward yield of 14.6%, but its earnings per share (EPS) is only expected to grow 4% to $1.55 in 2026 due to market rate fluctuations, posing risks of short-term earnings instability that could affect its attractiveness.
- Market Environment Impact: As interest rates decline, Realty Income will find it easier to acquire new properties and maintain high occupancy rates, while AGNC faces challenges with short-term borrowing costs exceeding long-term yields, highlighting the differing market responses of the two companies under rate changes.
See More
Realty Income Prices $800M Senior Notes Offering
- Bond Offering Details: Realty Income priced $800 million of 4.750% senior unsecured notes at 98.261% of par, maturing on April 15, 2033, resulting in a yield to maturity of approximately 5.047%, providing the company with a stable financing channel to support future growth.
- Cross-Currency Swap Execution: The company executed a $500 million U.S. dollar-to-euro cross-currency swap, generating roughly €436 million in proceeds and lowering the effective euro-denominated yield to about 4.07%, which will help optimize the company's capital structure and reduce financing costs.
- Planned Use of Proceeds: The net proceeds from this offering will be used for general corporate purposes, including debt repayment, funding property acquisitions and development, and potential business combinations, indicating the company's strategic intent to expand and optimize its asset portfolio.
- Transaction Closing Timeline: The bond offering is expected to close on April 7, 2026, demonstrating the company's flexibility in adapting to market changes and preparing for future capital needs.
See More
Realty Income Corporation Prices $800 Million Senior Notes Offering
- Bond Offering Size: Realty Income Corporation has announced the pricing of $800 million in 4.750% senior unsecured notes at 98.261%, with an expected yield to maturity of 5.047%, which will enhance the company's capital structure and provide funding for future investments.
- Currency Swap Transaction: The company executed a $500 million U.S. Dollar-to-Euro 7-year cross currency swap, anticipating approximately €436 million in proceeds with an effective fixed-rate yield of about 4.07%, helping to mitigate foreign exchange risk and optimize financial costs.
- Broad Use of Proceeds: The net proceeds from this bond offering will be utilized for general corporate purposes, including debt repayment, property acquisitions, and improvements, reflecting the company's proactive stance towards future expansion.
- Issuance Timeline: The bond offering is expected to close on April 7, 2026, subject to customary closing conditions, indicating the company's active presence in the capital markets and commitment to transparency with investors.
See More
Stable Growth of Real Estate Investment Trust Stocks
- Dividend Growth History: Realty Income has raised its dividends for 114 consecutive quarters since going public in 1994, recently increasing the monthly payout from $0.27 to $0.2705, demonstrating its stability and appeal in uncertain markets.
- Strong Rental Income: This REIT primarily owns retail properties, with 79% of its rental income from this sector; despite the threat of e-commerce, it maintains a high occupancy rate of nearly 99% by leasing to resilient businesses like grocery and home improvement stores, showcasing its operational resilience.
- AFFO Growth: Last year, Realty Income's adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) per share grew about 2%, from $4.19 to $4.28, with management expecting a further increase of 2.3% to 3.3% this year, providing a solid foundation for future dividend hikes.
- Yield Advantage: At the new monthly dividend rate, Realty Income boasts a 5.4% dividend yield, significantly higher than the S&P 500's 1.2% and the FTSE Nareit All Equity REITs Index's 3.7%, making it an attractive choice for income-seeking investors.
See More
REALTY INCOME CORP SUBMITS SEC FILING FOR UNDISCLOSED NOTES OFFERING
Company Filing: Realty Income Corp has filed for notes offering, indicating a move to raise capital.
Size of Offering: The specific size of the notes offering has not been disclosed in the filing.
See More
Analysis of REIT Income Yields
- REIT Overview: Realty Income owns over 15,500 properties across the U.S., U.K., and seven European countries, maintaining an occupancy rate above 96% since its 1994 IPO, with a projected increase to 98.9% by 2025, demonstrating its resilience and attractiveness in the market.
- AGNC Portfolio Characteristics: AGNC primarily invests in a $94.8 billion portfolio of mortgage-backed securities (MBS), generating profits mainly from interest income; despite a high dividend yield of 14.63%, its near-term earnings growth may face challenges due to interest rate fluctuations.
- Impact of Interest Rate Changes: As interest rates decline, Realty Income will be able to purchase new properties at lower costs and maintain high occupancy rates, while AGNC can sustain a high net interest rate spread in its MBS trades, attracting investors from lower-yielding deposit products to higher-yielding REITs.
- Yield Outlook Comparison: Realty Income expects its adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) per share to rise 2%-3% in 2026, easily covering its $3.24 annual dividend, while AGNC anticipates a 4% increase in earnings per share (EPS), but its uncertain market environment makes Realty Income's simpler business model less risky and more appealing.
See More
Market Performance Analysis of Realty Income and AGNC
- High Occupancy Rates: Realty Income has maintained occupancy rates above 96% since its IPO in 1994, with the year-end rate rising from 98.6% in 2023 to 98.9% in 2025, demonstrating its ability to attract strong tenants even in challenging market conditions, thereby enhancing its competitive position.
- Yield Comparison: Realty Income offers a forward yield of 5.3%, with expected adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) per share rising 2%-3% to $4.38-$4.42 in 2026, comfortably covering its $3.24 per share dividend, showcasing its stable cash flow and investment appeal.
- AGNC's Earnings Challenges: AGNC boasts a higher forward yield of 14.6%, but its earnings per share (EPS) is only expected to grow 4% to $1.55 in 2026 due to market rate fluctuations, posing risks of short-term earnings instability that could affect its attractiveness.
- Market Environment Impact: As interest rates decline, Realty Income will find it easier to acquire new properties and maintain high occupancy rates, while AGNC faces challenges with short-term borrowing costs exceeding long-term yields, highlighting the differing market responses of the two companies under rate changes.
See More
Realty Income Prices $800M Senior Notes Offering
- Bond Offering Details: Realty Income priced $800 million of 4.750% senior unsecured notes at 98.261% of par, maturing on April 15, 2033, resulting in a yield to maturity of approximately 5.047%, providing the company with a stable financing channel to support future growth.
- Cross-Currency Swap Execution: The company executed a $500 million U.S. dollar-to-euro cross-currency swap, generating roughly €436 million in proceeds and lowering the effective euro-denominated yield to about 4.07%, which will help optimize the company's capital structure and reduce financing costs.
- Planned Use of Proceeds: The net proceeds from this offering will be used for general corporate purposes, including debt repayment, funding property acquisitions and development, and potential business combinations, indicating the company's strategic intent to expand and optimize its asset portfolio.
- Transaction Closing Timeline: The bond offering is expected to close on April 7, 2026, demonstrating the company's flexibility in adapting to market changes and preparing for future capital needs.
See More
Realty Income Corporation Prices $800 Million Senior Notes Offering
- Bond Offering Size: Realty Income Corporation has announced the pricing of $800 million in 4.750% senior unsecured notes at 98.261%, with an expected yield to maturity of 5.047%, which will enhance the company's capital structure and provide funding for future investments.
- Currency Swap Transaction: The company executed a $500 million U.S. Dollar-to-Euro 7-year cross currency swap, anticipating approximately €436 million in proceeds with an effective fixed-rate yield of about 4.07%, helping to mitigate foreign exchange risk and optimize financial costs.
- Broad Use of Proceeds: The net proceeds from this bond offering will be utilized for general corporate purposes, including debt repayment, property acquisitions, and improvements, reflecting the company's proactive stance towards future expansion.
- Issuance Timeline: The bond offering is expected to close on April 7, 2026, subject to customary closing conditions, indicating the company's active presence in the capital markets and commitment to transparency with investors.
See More
