Realty Income Just Declared Its 676th Consecutive Monthly Dividend. Here's How Much a $10,000 Investment Pays in Dividends.
Key Points
Realty Income has paid a dividend monthly for more than 56 years.
It leases properties to well-established industry giants and has a high occupancy rate.
The stock is flat this year as the market worries about interest rates.
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Realty Income (NYSE: O) has one of the most attractive dividends on the market. The real estate investment trust (REIT) pays a monthly dividend and has done so without missing a beat for 676 months -- that's more than 56 years. It also boasts of 116 consecutive quarterly increases.
High interest rates; high yield
Realty Income owns and leases 15,600 properties worldwide. It has high occupancy rates, 98.8% today, and its customers include large, established retail chains like Walmart and Home Depot. This is why it's so reliable for earnings growth and dividends.
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It grows through REIT acquisitions and buying new properties, and it has a large credit facility as well as a long pipeline of quality properties to acquire. However, in this high-interest-rate environment, the market has worries about the debt-reliant model, and Realty Income stock has been roughly flat this year. However, it hasn't plunged, implying market confidence in its resilience. The yield, though, has climbed to 5.4%, which is its highest in more than two years.
If you invested $10,000 today, you'd get 177 shares, and the annual dividend at the current payout would be $573. However, keep in mind that the figure could increase quarterly -- or decrease, since dividends are not guaranteed -- and this kind of investment could be an excellent component of a broader passive income strategy.
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Jennifer Saibil has positions in Walmart. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Home Depot, Realty Income, and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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