Realty Income Corporation (NYSE:O) is included among the 12 Best REIT Dividend Stocks to Buy Now. Realty Income Corporation (O): A Reliable Player in REIT Dividend Stocks Photo by Vitaly Taranov on Unsplash Realty Income Corporation (NYSE:O) is considered one of the most popular REITs in the country due to its monthly distribution to investors. The company’s real estate holdings have more than doubled over the past four years through mergers with Vereit and Spirit Realty Trust. The company has approxima ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported an AFFO per share of $0.45, representing a 7% increase compared to Q1 2024 [23] - Total AFFO for the quarter was $85.7 million, up $14.6 million or 21% year-over-year [24] - The company declared a cash dividend of $0.295, resulting in an AFFO payout ratio of 66% [25] - Pro forma net debt to annualized adjusted EBITDAre was 3.4 times at quarter-end [29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company invested $308 million through 21 transactions at a weighted average cash yield of 7.8% [13] - The weighted average lease term was 14 years, with only 5.4% of annual base rent expiring over the next five years [12] - The weighted average unit level coverage ratio was 3.5 times, indicating strong tenant profitability [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company ended the quarter with investments in 2,138 properties leased to 423 tenants across 16 industries [11] - Same-store rent growth was 1.5%, slightly up from the previous quarter [17] - The carwash industry exposure was reduced to 13.9% of annual base rent, below the soft ceiling of 15% [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company continues to focus on middle market sale leasebacks with growing operators in targeted industries [8] - The investment pipeline supports the upper half of the guidance range of $900 million to $1.1 billion for 2025 [11] - The company aims to maintain a well-capitalized balance sheet with low leverage and significant liquidity to support growth [29] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The operating environment remains favorable despite a choppy capital markets backdrop [7] - The company expects modest cap rate compression in 2025, but competition has been less than anticipated due to market volatility [10] - Management reaffirmed the 2025 AFFO per share guidance range of $1.85 to $1.89, indicating over 7% growth at the midpoint [31] Other Important Information - The company issued over $300 million of equity and upsized its credit facility, resulting in liquidity of $1.5 billion [9] - The company sold 11 properties for $24.3 million in net proceeds during the quarter [20] - The company has a strong focus on tenant relationships, with 90% of investments being sale leaseback transactions [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of ongoing tariff situation on tenant health - Management believes the impact will be minimal as 93% of their portfolio is service and experience-based [35] Question: Competition levels across target industries - Competition is more pronounced in larger transactions, while smaller transactions remain less competitive [37] Question: Factors for not raising acquisition guidance - Management indicated it is still early in the year and visibility on the pipeline is limited to 60-90 days [45] Question: Details on Dave and Buster's acquisition - The investment was based on a long-standing relationship and favorable terms due to less competition [49][50] Question: Current watch list and evolving dynamics - The watch list is down 50 basis points quarter-over-quarter, indicating a stable credit environment [62] Question: Transaction environment and competition - Management noted that while competition has decreased, there is still active dialogue with new relationships [108] Question: Leverage and potential scenarios for increase - Management anticipates remaining conservative on leverage, with sufficient liquidity to avoid increasing leverage [90] Question: Trends in car wash tenants - Coverage and average unit volumes were flat across car wash operators [117] Question: Overall economic outlook and tenant base resilience - Management expressed confidence in the tenant base's ability to withstand economic pressures due to strong rent coverage [165]