5 Monthly Dividend Stocks To Buy and Hold Forever

3. Realty Income Corporation (NYSE:O)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 31

On April 21, Barclays analyst Richard Hightower raised the firm’s price recommendation on Realty Income Corporation (NYSE:O) to $68 from $65. It reiterated an Equal Weight rating on the shares. The update came as part of a Q1 preview for the net lease REIT group. In a research note, he described the current backdrop as a “Goldilocks” environment for much of the sector. Barclays is expecting more issuance announcements and higher acquisition volume guidance across the group.

Realty Income stands out as the leading monthly dividend payer. It refers to itself as “The Monthly Dividend Company,” having paid 669 consecutive monthly dividends as of April 2026. Since its 1994 IPO, the company has increased its dividend 132 times. Over that period, it has grown the payout at a 4.2% compound annual rate, resulting in 32 years of dividend increases as a public company.

Realty Income Corporation (NYSE:O) operates as a real estate investment trust. It focuses on acquiring, owning, and managing freestanding commercial properties. These properties are leased under long-term net lease agreements to a broad mix of tenants, including investment-grade, investment-grade equivalent, and other clients.