Realty Income(O) The Motley Fool·2025-05-06 08:15Core Viewpoint - Realty Income remains a reliable investment in a volatile market, offering stability and growth potential despite broader economic uncertainties [1][2]. Group 1: Company Overview - Realty Income is a retail REIT that acquires and leases properties, distributing rental income to investors while adhering to a requirement to pay out at least 90% of taxable income as dividends [4]. - The company has a diversified portfolio, leasing 15,621 properties to 1,565 clients across over 89 industries, which mitigates risks associated with economic downturns [5]. Group 2: Tenant Quality and Occupancy - Realty Income focuses on recession-resistant retailers, with top tenants including Walgreens, 7-Eleven, Dollar General, and Dollar Tree, ensuring no single tenant exceeds 3.5% of annualized rent [7]. - The occupancy rate has consistently remained above 96%, increasing from 98.6% in 2023 to 98.7% in 2024, indicating strong demand for its properties [8]. Group 3: Financial Performance - The company has a history of increasing monthly dividends, having raised its payout 130 times since its IPO, with a forward yield of 5.6% compared to the 10-year Treasury's 4.3% [9]. - Adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) rose 4.8% to 4.22-3.22 per share [9]. Group 4: Valuation and Market Position - Realty Income trades at $57 per share, which is 13 times the midpoint of its AFFO estimate for 2025, positioning it as a cheaper option compared to peers like Vici Properties and Agree Realty [10]. Group 5: Interest Rate Impact - The company is expected to benefit from declining interest rates, which could attract more income-seeking investors and facilitate expansion, as the Federal Reserve has cut benchmark rates three times in 2024 [11][12].