Realty Income Hikes Dividend Again: Can It Sustain Its Market Edge?

Core Insights - Realty Income Corporation has increased its monthly dividend to 27.00 cents per share, marking its 133rd dividend increase since its 1994 NYSE debut, reflecting a commitment to shareholder returns [1][8] - The annualized dividend now stands at $3.24, with a yield of 5.68% based on the closing price of $57.05 on December 9 [1] Dividend Stability - Realty Income's inclusion in the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats index is supported by over 30 consecutive years of dividend growth and 113 uninterrupted quarterly hikes, showcasing its resilience through various market cycles [2] - The company's portfolio consists of 15,542 properties, with 91% of annualized retail base rent coming from tenants in service-based, non-discretionary, and value-oriented sectors, which helps mitigate risks from economic downturns and e-commerce disruptions [3] Financial Strength - Realty Income maintains $3.5 billion in liquidity, investment-grade ratings, and a fixed-charge coverage ratio of 4.6, which supports the sustainability of its dividends [4] - Management anticipates a 75 basis points credit loss in 2025, primarily related to tenants from earlier acquisitions, indicating potential isolated pressures despite overall diversification [4] Market Performance - Realty Income's shares have increased by 6.8% year-to-date, contrasting with an 8.7% decline in the industry [7] - The stock trades at a forward 12-month price-to-FFO of 12.93, which is below the industry average but close to its one-year median of 13.12 [9] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Realty Income's 2025 FFO per share remains unchanged, while the estimate for 2026 has been revised upward over the past 60 days [10]