REIT Comparison
ADC vs NNN: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?
A head-to-head comparison of Agree Realty and NNN REIT, Inc. covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
Data updated September 4, 2026
Best for
- ADCInvestors who want real-estate income and inflation sensitivity.
- NNNInvestors who want higher current income (5.56% vs 4.41% for ADC).
Visual comparison
Key metrics
Projected income on $10K
Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Total returns
ADC has lagged NNN over the trailing twelve months, posting a 5.01% total return against 10.99%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — ADC has compounded at 8.47% a year, ahead of NNN at 3.66%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.
| Symbol | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Since Apr 1994 | Volatility | Sharpe | Sortino | Max drawdown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADC | 3.18% | 5.01% | 11.17% | 3.76% | 8.47% | 11.62% | 17.8% | 0.34 | 0.50 | -13.0% |
| NNN | 17.66% | 10.99% | 11.12% | 4.19% | 3.66% | 10.73% | 18.6% | 0.33 | 0.46 | -22.0% |
Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of September 4, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; windows of one year or longer are annualized. “Since Apr 1994” measures every fund from April 15, 1994 — the youngest fund's first trading day — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the trailing 3 years. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the trailing 3 years) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.
Side-by-side snapshot
| Metric |  ADC |  NNN |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Agree Realty | NNN REIT, Inc. |
| Issuer | Agree Realty | NNN REIT |
| Last Close | $72.62 as of September 4, 2026 | $44.63 as of September 4, 2026 |
| Distribution yield | 4.41% | 5.56% |
| Distribution Safety Score™ | 94 | 100 |
| Safety-Adjusted Yield | 4.15% | 5.56% |
| Expense ratio | — | — |
| AUM | — | — |
| Distribution frequency | Monthly | Quarterly |
| Underlying index | — | — |
| Objective | A real estate investment trust focused on income-producing properties. | A net lease REIT that acquires, owns, and manages single-tenant retail properties under long-term net leases. A Dividend Aristocrat with over 35 consecutive years of dividend increases. |
| Asset class | Real Estate | Real Estate |
| Inception date | N/A | N/A |
| Beta | 0.468 | 0.783 |
| Last dividend | $0.267 declared, pays 09/15/2026 | $0.62 |
| Ex-dividend date | 08/31/2026 | 07/31/2026 |
Bottom lineChoose ADC if you want real-estate income and inflation sensitivity. Choose NNN if you want higher current income (5.56% vs 4.41% for ADC).
Income calculator
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Quick verdict
ADC (Agree Realty) and NNN (NNN REIT, Inc.) are both dividend-paying real estate investment trusts (REITs), but they take different approaches.
NNN offers the higher yield at 5.56% vs 4.41% for ADC. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
Who should choose each?
Choose ADC
Agree Realty
- Want real-estate exposure for income and inflation sensitivity.
- Prefer lower volatility — a beta of 0.5 vs 0.8 for NNN.
Choose NNN
NNN REIT, Inc.
- Want higher current income — NNN yields 5.56% vs 4.41% for ADC.
- Want real-estate exposure for income and inflation sensitivity.
Not sure? Use the income calculator and snapshot above to weigh these trade-offs against your own goals.
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Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, ADC would generate roughly $36.75/month, while NNN would produce $46.33/month, at current distribution rates.
Strategy & risk
ADC is a real estate investment trust built around diversified REIT exposure, while NNN is a real estate investment trust built around retail REIT exposure. Beta is 0.468 for ADC and 0.783 for NNN, making ADC the less volatile of the two by this measure.
Security details
ADC (Agree Realty) is a real estate investment trust. NNN (NNN REIT, Inc.) is a real estate investment trust.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the current distribution yield for ADC and NNN?
ADC currently distributes 4.41% and NNN 5.56%, based on fund data updated September 2026. Distribution yield moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.
Is ADC or NNN better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. NNN currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.
What is the difference between ADC and NNN?
ADC (Agree Realty) is a real estate investment trust built around diversified REIT exposure, while NNN (NNN REIT, Inc.) is a real estate investment trust built around retail REIT exposure. They are issued by Agree Realty and NNN REIT respectively.
Can I hold both ADC and NNN?
Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.
Is ADC or NNN safer?
By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — NNN scores 100, ADC scores 94, so NNN's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. ADC has also shown lower price volatility (beta 0.47 vs 0.78 for NNN). No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.
How much income does $10,000 in ADC vs NNN generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in ADC would generate roughly $36.75 per month ($441.00 annually). The same in NNN would produce about $46.33 per month ($556.00 annually).
Which has performed better historically, ADC or NNN?
ADC has lagged NNN over the trailing twelve months, posting a 5.01% total return against 10.99%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — ADC has compounded at 8.47% a year, ahead of NNN at 3.66%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
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ADC vs NNN — at a glance
Generated August 30, 2026.
ADC holds a diversified portfolio of income-producing properties, while NNN specializes in single-tenant retail properties under long-term net leases. The key distinction is portfolio focus: ADC spreads capital across property types, whereas NNN concentrates on net-lease retail with a 35-year track record of consecutive dividend increases.
How they differ
NNN's net-lease retail strategy generates a higher distribution rate—5.56% versus ADC's 4.41%—but that yield premium comes with greater concentration in a single property type and tenant structure. The more meaningful structural difference is lease type: NNN's tenants typically cover property maintenance, taxes, and insurance (net lease), whereas ADC's diversified model likely includes properties with varying lease structures and management responsibilities. ADC also trades with lower beta (0.468 versus 0.783), suggesting less volatility relative to the broader market, though diversification-driven stability and lease-structure mechanics are both at play.
Who each is best for
ADC: Fits investors seeking monthly income from a diversified real estate portfolio with lower price sensitivity to broad market moves and don't require the consistency track record that comes with extended dividend-increase history.
NNN: Designed for income-focused investors who value a REIT with a proven multi-decade commitment to growing distributions and accept concentration in net-lease retail properties in exchange for higher current yield and the tax efficiency of the net-lease model.
Key risks to know
- Retail real estate headwinds. NNN's single-tenant retail focus leaves it vulnerable to prolonged e-commerce pressure, tenant bankruptcies, and shifting consumer behavior in brick-and-mortar retail. ADC's diversified property base provides some buffer against sector-specific disruption.
- Tenant creditworthiness and lease renewal. Both REITs depend on tenant ability to pay rents. NNN's net-lease model typically transfers property-level risk to the tenant, but tenant distress or lease non-renewal can still pressure distribution coverage if occupancy declines.
- Interest rate sensitivity. Higher beta for NNN (0.783) reflects greater sensitivity to rate moves and market sentiment swings; REITs' valuations and borrowing costs are materially affected by long-term rate environments.
- Distribution sustainability at elevated yields. NNN's 5.56% yield requires consistent rental income growth or capital recycling to avoid relying on return-of-capital treatment over time; track distribution coverage ratios alongside the Dividend Aristocrat status to confirm the growth is earnings-driven.
Bottom line
If you prioritize income frequency and lower volatility within a diversified real estate context, ADC's monthly payout and 0.468 beta stand out. If you're willing to accept retail concentration and higher market sensitivity in exchange for a higher yield backed by 35 years of consecutive increases, NNN's 5.56% distribution and net-lease structure may appeal. Past performance of dividend growth doesn't guarantee future increases, particularly in retail real estate; understanding holdings overlap and tenant composition matters before making allocation decisions.
AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.
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The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.
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