Realty Income Hits 135 Dividend Increases Ahead of Aug. 5 Report

Realty Income just dropped its 135th consecutive dividend increase, and if that number doesn't get your attention, you might be in the wrong asset class. This is the kind of track record that income investors dream about — a company so committed to the dividend that it keeps raising it through recessions, rate hikes, and everything in between.

The timing matters here. Earnings hit on August 5, which means you're sitting at one of those classic pre-report decision points. Do you buy before the numbers drop and risk a sell-the-news reaction? Or do you wait, potentially missing a move if the report surprises to the upside? Neither answer is wrong — it depends entirely on your risk tolerance and your time horizon.

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Realty Income is a net-lease REIT, meaning tenants cover most property expenses, which gives the company relatively predictable cash flows. That predictability is exactly what funds a dividend machine like this one. When rates were rising, the stock got hammered like most REITs — but that also created a window for long-term buyers to lock in a higher yield than they'd seen in years.

The broader macro setup is shifting. If the rate environment continues to soften, REITs like Realty Income tend to re-rate higher as their yields become more attractive relative to bonds. That's a tailwind worth factoring into your thesis — not a guarantee, but a real directional edge. The 135 dividend increases aren't just a marketing stat; they signal management discipline that's been tested repeatedly.

Whether you jump in before August 5 or use the earnings reaction as your entry, Realty Income is the kind of name that belongs on every income investor's radar right now. Continue reading at fool (thomas niel).