Realty Income’s High-Yield Dividend Strategy Outshines Market Averages

Realty Income (O -0.32%) offers a compelling 5.3% dividend yield, dwarfing the S&P 500's 1.2% and the average REIT's 3.8%. This yield is supported by a 30-year dividend streak, but the true differentiator lies in the company's scalable business model.

The REIT's $55 billion market cap and portfolio of 15,600 properties create a formidable scale advantage. Wall Street's trust in Realty Income ensures consistent access to capital, enabling aggressive expansion even beyond its Core retail assets.

Three structural advantages position Realty Income as a lifetime income vehicle: unmatched size in net lease REITs, diversified property holdings, and preferential treatment from capital markets. The combination of yield and growth potential makes it stand out in a low-rate environment.