REIT Comparison
ADC vs STAG: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?
A head-to-head comparison of Agree Realty and STAG Industrial covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
Data updated August 14, 2026
Best for
- ADCInvestors who want real-estate income and inflation sensitivity.
- STAGInvestors who want higher current income (8.32% vs 4.31% for ADC).
Side-by-side snapshot
| Metric | ADC | STAG |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Agree Realty | STAG Industrial |
| Issuer | Agree Realty | STAG Industrial |
| Last Close | $74.74 as of August 14, 2026 | $36.75 as of August 14, 2026 |
| Distribution yield | 4.31% | 8.32% |
| Distribution Safety Score™ | 94 | 100 |
| Expense ratio | — | — |
| AUM | — | — |
| Distribution frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Underlying index | — | — |
| Objective | A real estate investment trust focused on income-producing properties. | A real estate investment trust focused on income-producing properties. |
| Asset class | Real Estate | Real Estate |
| Inception date | N/A | N/A |
| Beta | 0.468 | 0.967 |
| Last dividend | $0.2670 | $0.3900 |
| Ex-dividend date | 08/31/2026 | 09/30/2026 |
Bottom lineChoose ADC if you want real-estate income and inflation sensitivity. Choose STAG if you want higher current income (8.32% vs 4.31% for ADC).
Income calculator
See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each real estate investment trust at current yields.
Want to go deeper?
Add these REITs to a sample portfolio and forecast your dividend income over 5+ years — free to start, no credit card.
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 STAG over the trailing twelve months, posting a 7.88% total return against 8.48%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: STAG has compounded at 8.99% a year, against 8.87% for ADC. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.
| Symbol | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Since Apr 2011 | Volatility | Sharpe | Sortino | Max drawdown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADC | 6.19% | 7.88% | 10.83% | 4.49% | 8.87% | 13.13% | 17.8% | 0.33 | 0.47 | -13.4% |
| STAG | 1.63% | 8.48% | 4.91% | 1.40% | 8.99% | 13.28% | 21.8% | 0.01 | 0.02 | -24.6% |
Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of August 14, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows are annualized. “Since Apr 2011” measures every fund from April 15, 2011 — 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.
Quick verdict
ADC (Agree Realty) and STAG (STAG Industrial) are both monthly-pay dividend-paying real estate investment trusts (REITs), but they take different approaches.
STAG offers the higher yield at 8.32% vs 4.31% 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 1.0 for STAG.
Choose STAG
STAG Industrial
- Want higher current income — STAG yields 8.32% vs 4.31% 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.
Still deciding? Track ADC & STAG for free
Create a free Dividend Vision account to keep them on a watchlist, get notified when they declare dividends, and see how much income they would add to your portfolio.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, ADC would generate roughly $35.92/month, while STAG would produce $69.33/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay monthly distributions.
Strategy & risk
ADC is a real estate investment trust, while STAG is a real estate investment trust. Beta is 0.468 for ADC and 0.967 for STAG, indicating ADC is less volatile relative to the market.
Security details
ADC (Agree Realty) is a real estate investment trust. STAG (STAG Industrial) is a real estate investment trust.
Enjoyed this page?
Do us a favor — if you found this comparison useful, please share it with a friend researching dividend investments.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current distribution yield for ADC and STAG?
ADC currently distributes 4.31% and STAG 8.32%, based on fund data updated August 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 STAG better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. STAG 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 STAG?
ADC (Agree Realty) is a real estate investment trust, while STAG (STAG Industrial) is a real estate investment trust. They are issued by Agree Realty and STAG Industrial respectively.
Can I hold both ADC and STAG?
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 STAG safer?
By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — STAG scores 100, ADC scores 94, so STAG's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. ADC has also shown lower price volatility (beta 0.47 vs 0.97 for STAG). 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 STAG generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in ADC would generate roughly $35.92 per month ($431.00 annually). The same in STAG would produce about $69.33 per month ($832.00 annually).
Which has performed better historically, ADC or STAG?
ADC has lagged STAG over the trailing twelve months, posting a 7.88% total return against 8.48%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: STAG has compounded at 8.99% a year, against 8.87% for ADC. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
More comparisons to explore
Popular comparisons
ADC vs STAG — at a glance
Generated August 9, 2026.
Overview
ADC (Agree Realty) and STAG (STAG Industrial) are both monthly-paying real estate investment trusts focused on income-producing properties. The key distinction is in their underlying real estate exposure and risk profile: Agree Realty holds a diversified portfolio of retail and commercial properties, while STAG Industrial specializes in single-tenant industrial and logistics real estate. This difference drives a meaningful gap in yield, valuation, and market sensitivity.
How they differ
STAG's distribution rate of 8.24% nearly doubles ADC's 4.21%, reflecting both the industrial sector's yield profile and STAG's lower current valuation at $37.30 per share versus ADC's $75.63. The beta spread—0.967 for STAG versus 0.468 for ADC—signals that STAG tracks broader market moves more closely; industrial real estate has shown stronger correlation with economic activity and real estate cycles, while Agree Realty's retail-focused portfolio exhibits lower systematic risk. Both pay monthly distributions, eliminating reinvestment timing differences. The yield gap suggests either that STAG trades at a discount to intrinsic value, that industrial properties command lower cap rates than Agree Realty's mix, or that STAG's payout ratio is materially higher—a distinction worth investigating in each REIT's financial statements.
Who each is best for
ADC: Fits investors seeking a lower-volatility real estate income stream with modest yield, where steady monthly distributions matter more than maximum payout rate. Suits portfolios where blended retail and commercial exposure aligns with broader real estate allocation goals.
STAG: Designed for income-focused investors comfortable with higher market sensitivity in exchange for substantially elevated monthly distributions. Fits allocations betting on industrial real estate's secular tailwinds (e-commerce, logistics) or seeking maximum current yield from a REIT.
Key risks to know
- Yield sustainability: STAG's 8.24% distribution rate is notably high for a REIT; confirm whether it's supported by underlying net operating income or relies on return-of-capital, which can signal NAV erosion over time.
- Industrial real estate cycle risk: STAG's focus on single-tenant industrial properties exposes it to sector-specific downturns—e-commerce saturation, logistics consolidation, or tenant bankruptcies—whereas ADC's diversified retail and commercial mix spreads that concentration risk.
- Interest rate sensitivity: Both REITs are leveraged balance sheets sensitive to rising rates, but STAG's higher beta (0.967) suggests it may experience sharper NAV declines if long-term rates spike materially.
- Tenant credit risk: STAG's single-tenant industrial model concentrates revenue in fewer, larger tenants; ADC's broader tenant base may buffer against isolated credit events, though retail has faced secular headwinds independent of macroeconomic cycles.
Bottom line
If you prioritize income and accept elevated market sensitivity, STAG's 8.24% yield stands out; if you want lower volatility and a more defensive real estate exposure, ADC's 4.21% yield and 0.468 beta fit a steadier profile. The yield gap warrants a close look at each REIT's payout ratio and property fundamentals—high yields can reflect opportunity or warning signs. Past performance in real estate cycles does not predict future returns.
AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.
Learn the method
The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.
Still deciding? Compare them against your own portfolio
See how each real estate investment trust fits alongside your real holdings — forecast future income, analyze overlap, and gauge risk. Start a free 7-day Dividend Vision trial and make the call with your full portfolio in view.