Best Stock to Buy Right Now: Realty Income vs. W.P. Carey

Core Viewpoint - Realty Income and W.P. Carey are both prominent players in the net-lease REIT sector, offering similar business models and dividend yields, but they differ significantly in size, portfolio composition, and growth strategies [1][5][12]. Group 1: Similarities - Both Realty Income and W.P. Carey operate in the net-lease space, owning single-tenant properties where tenants cover most property-level expenses [2]. - They have exposure to similar asset classes, including retail, warehouse, and industrial properties, with portfolios spanning North America and Europe [2]. - Both companies have long histories in the net lease market, with W.P. Carey being a pioneer in this area [3]. Group 2: Differences - Realty Income has a market capitalization of approximately $50 billion, while W.P. Carey is valued at just under $14 billion, making Realty Income the industry giant [6]. - Realty Income owns over 15,600 properties compared to W.P. Carey's roughly 1,600 properties, indicating a significant difference in portfolio size [6]. - W.P. Carey has a greater focus on industrial and warehouse assets, which are typically larger, whereas Realty Income emphasizes retail properties, which are generally smaller [7]. Group 3: Dividend Policies - Realty Income has a track record of increasing its dividend for 30 consecutive years, while W.P. Carey recently reduced its dividend in late 2023 after exiting the office sector [9]. - Realty Income pays dividends monthly, while W.P. Carey pays on a quarterly basis, which may appeal differently to investors [9]. - W.P. Carey has resumed increasing its dividend quarterly, with a recent increase of approximately 1.1% (3.5% annualized), while Realty Income's last increase was a modest 0.2% (2.3% annualized) [10][11]. Group 4: Investment Appeal - Realty Income is characterized as a stable, slow-moving giant, appealing to conservative investors, while W.P. Carey is seen as more aggressive and capable of faster growth, attracting more risk-tolerant income investors [12]. - A combined investment in both REITs could provide a balanced approach, leveraging the strengths of each [8].