If I Could Buy Only 1 High-Yield Dividend Stock for Passive Income in July, This Would Be It

Core Viewpoint - Realty Income is highlighted as a premier choice for high-yield dividend investment due to its consistent monthly dividends and strong financial foundation [1][11] Company Overview - Realty Income is known as "The Monthly Dividend Company," focusing on delivering dependable monthly dividends that increase over time [3] - The company has declared 660 consecutive monthly dividends since its inception and has raised its payment 131 times since going public in 1994 [4] Dividend Performance - Realty Income has increased its dividend for 111 consecutive quarters and 30 straight years, achieving a compound annual growth rate of 4.2% [4] - The REIT pays a high-yielding monthly dividend of 5.5%, backed by a robust portfolio and financial profile [11] Real Estate Portfolio - Realty Income owns 15,600 properties across various sectors, including retail, industrial, and gaming, leased to leading global companies [5] - 91% of its total rent comes from tenants in industries resilient to economic downturns and insulated from e-commerce pressures [5] Financial Profile - The company holds one of the top 10 highest credit ratings in the REIT sector, allowing for low borrowing costs and significant financial flexibility [6] - Realty Income maintains a conservative dividend payout ratio of about 75% of its adjusted funds from operations (FFO) [6] Growth Potential - The REIT has a history of durable earnings growth, with adjusted FFO per share rising at a 5% annual rate over the past three decades [8] - Realty Income has only experienced one year of negative adjusted FFO per share growth, which occurred during the financial crisis in 2009 [8] Investment Opportunities - Realty Income is positioned to continue expanding its portfolio, with a global net lease market opportunity estimated at $14 trillion across the U.S. and Europe [10] - The company is launching its U.S. Core Plus Fund to tap into the private capital market, providing additional capital for investment and management fee income [9] Conclusion - Realty Income's combination of payment frequency, yield, growth, and financial strength makes it a compelling choice for investors seeking reliable passive income [11]