The First High-Yield Dividend Stock I Plan to Buy for Passive Income in 2026

Core Viewpoint - W.P. Carey is positioned as a strong investment opportunity for passive income through its high-yielding dividend and stable cash flow from its real estate portfolio [3][4][6]. Financial Performance - W.P. Carey is one of the largest REITs focusing on net lease real estate, which generates stable rental income as tenants cover all operating expenses [3]. - The REIT's same-store annual base rent grew at a rate of 2.4% during the third quarter [3]. - The expected adjusted funds from operations (FFO) for 2025 is projected to be between $4.93 and $4.99 per share, supporting its annualized dividend rate of $3.68 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 5.7% [4]. Financial Stability - W.P. Carey maintains a strong balance sheet with an investment-grade credit rating and a leverage ratio of 5.8 times as of the end of the third quarter [5]. - The company plans to close between $1.3 billion and $1.5 billion in sales in 2025 to recycle capital into higher-returning investments [5]. Growth Potential - The REIT has built-in lease escalation clauses that enable it to achieve sector-leading same-store rent growth [9]. - W.P. Carey has multiple growth drivers, including financial flexibility for expanding its portfolio through sale-leaseback transactions, property acquisitions, and build-to-suit projects [9].