Does a topsy-turvy stock market and reports of underutilized U.S. shipping ports make you nervous about buying, or even holding stocks? At times like these, it's a lot easier to ignore the news flow when you have a portfolio full of dividend payers that deposit increasingly larger payments into your brokerage account.Investors seeking reliable sources of passive income will be glad to know that Brookfield Infrastructure (BIPC 3.79%), Omega Healthcare Investors (OHI -3.94%), and Realty Income (O -0.47%) offe ...

Core Viewpoint - Realty Income is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that has consistently delivered dependable monthly dividends, with a current dividend yield exceeding 5.5% due to a recent 10% decline in share price from its 52-week high [1][3]. Dividend Performance - Realty Income has declared its 658th consecutive monthly dividend since its founding in 1969 and has raised its dividend 130 times since its public listing in 1994 [3]. - The REIT has increased its dividend for 110 straight quarters and 30 consecutive years, achieving a compound annual growth rate of 4.3% over the past three decades [3]. Investment Strategy - The company invests in a diversified real estate portfolio net leased to leading companies, providing stable rental income as tenants cover all operating expenses [4]. - Realty Income focuses on long-term leases with annual rental escalation clauses, ensuring durable rental income that increases each year [4]. Risk Management - Approximately 91% of Realty Income's rent comes from tenants in resilient sectors such as grocery stores and home improvement centers, which are less affected by economic downturns and e-commerce pressures [5]. - The REIT diversifies its portfolio by tenant, property type, and geography, with its top tenant contributing only 3.5% of total rent [5]. Growth Strategy - Realty Income invests billions annually to acquire additional income-generating net lease properties, which is a key driver of its dividend growth [6]. - The company maintains a conservative dividend payout ratio of less than 75% of its adjusted funds from operations, allowing for significant excess cash flow for reinvestment [7]. Financial Strength - Realty Income has an elite balance sheet, being one of only eight REITs in the S&P 500 with bond ratings of A3/A- or higher, facilitating access to lower-cost funding for acquisitions [8]. - The REIT engages in sale-leaseback transactions, often partnering with tenants for initial real estate transactions and subsequently acquiring additional properties [9]. Future Outlook - Many existing clients still own some of their real estate, providing Realty Income with a long runway for expanding its global real estate portfolio [10]. - The company is viewed as a foundational holding for investors seeking a reliable stream of passive income that is expected to continue rising [12].