REIT Comparison
O vs STAG: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?
A head-to-head comparison of Realty Income Corporation and STAG Industrial covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
Updated October 2, 2026
How these figures are calculated: methodology.
Best for
- OInvestors who want higher current income (6.03% vs 4.30% for STAG).
- STAGInvestors who want real-estate income and inflation sensitivity.
Visual comparison
Key metrics
Projected income on $10K
Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Total returns
100% reinvested · ex-date convention. Period returns use this fixed assumption, independent of chart settings. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year.
O has lagged STAG over the trailing twelve months, posting a -5.54% total return against 5.03%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: STAG has compounded at 8.99% a year, against 3.28% for O. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.
| Symbol | YTD cumulative | 1Y cumulative | 3Y annualized | 5Y annualized | 10Y annualized | Since Apr 2011 | Volatility | Sharpe | Sortino | Max drawdown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O | -1.74% | -5.54% | 9.28% | 1.92% | 3.28% | 8.10% | 18.1% | 0.24 | 0.34 | -19.3% |
| STAG | 0.75% | 5.03% | 6.34% | 2.15% | 8.99% | 13.09% | 21.5% | 0.08 | 0.11 | -24.6% |
Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of October 2, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year. “Since Apr 2011” measures every fund from April 15, 2011 — the start of shared available history — 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 |  O |  STAG |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Realty Income Corporation | STAG Industrial |
| Issuer | Realty Income | STAG Industrial |
| Last Close | $54.13 as of October 2, 2026 | $36.05 as of October 2, 2026 |
| Distribution rate | 6.03% | 4.30% |
| Trailing 12-month yield | 6.00% | 4.26% |
| Distribution Safety Score™ | 100 | 79 |
| Safety-Adjusted Yield | 6.03% | 3.40% |
| Expense ratio | — | — |
| AUM | — | — |
| Distribution frequency | Monthly | Quarterly |
| Underlying index | — | — |
| Objective | A real estate investment trust that invests in freestanding, single-tenant commercial properties subject to long-term net lease agreements. Known as "The Monthly Dividend Company," Realty Income has a long track record of monthly dividend payments and consistent dividend growth. | A real estate investment trust focused on income-producing properties. |
| Asset class | Real Estate | Real Estate |
| Inception date | N/A | N/A |
| Beta | 0.712 | 0.961 |
| Last dividend | $0.272 declared, pays 10/15/2026 | $0.3875 declared, pays 10/15/2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | 09/30/2026 | 09/30/2026 |
Bottom lineChoose O if you want higher current income (6.03% vs 4.30% for STAG). Choose STAG if you want real-estate income and inflation sensitivity.
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Quick verdict
O (Realty Income Corporation) and STAG (STAG Industrial) are both dividend-paying real estate investment trusts (REITs), but they take different approaches.
O offers the higher yield at 6.03% vs 4.30% for STAG. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
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Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, O would generate roughly $50.25 cash per distribution, while STAG would produce $107.50 cash per distribution, at current distribution rates.
Strategy & risk
O is a real estate investment trust built around net lease REIT exposure, while STAG is a real estate investment trust built around diversified REIT exposure. Beta is 0.712 for O and 0.961 for STAG, making O the less volatile of the two by this measure.
Security details
O (Realty Income Corporation) is a real estate investment trust. STAG (STAG Industrial) is a real estate investment trust.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the current distribution rate for O and STAG?
O currently distributes 6.03% and STAG 4.30%, based on fund data updated October 2026. Distribution rate moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.
Is O or STAG better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. O 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 O and STAG?
O (Realty Income Corporation) is a real estate investment trust built around net lease REIT exposure, while STAG (STAG Industrial) is a real estate investment trust built around diversified REIT exposure. They are issued by Realty Income and STAG Industrial respectively.
Can I hold both O 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 O 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 — O scores 100, STAG scores 79, so O's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. O has also shown lower price volatility (beta 0.71 vs 0.96 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 O vs STAG generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in O would generate roughly $50.25 cash per distribution ($603.00 annually). The same in STAG would produce about $107.50 cash per distribution ($430.00 annually).
Which has performed better historically, O or STAG?
O has lagged STAG over the trailing twelve months, posting a -5.54% total return against 5.03%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: STAG has compounded at 8.99% a year, against 3.28% for O. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
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Dividend dates and history
O vs STAG — at a glance
Generated October 3, 2026.
Overview
O and STAG are both real estate investment trusts that own commercial properties and pay regular distributions to shareholders. O focuses exclusively on freestanding, single-tenant properties under long-term net leases, while STAG holds a diversified portfolio of income-producing properties.
How they differ
O's net lease strategy concentrates its portfolio on single-tenant freestanding buildings where tenants bear most operating costs, whereas STAG diversifies across property types and structures. O has a longer operating history, having commenced in 10/18/1994, while STAG emerged later. The two also differ in volatility: O shows a beta of 0.712, suggesting lower correlation to broad market swings, while STAG's 0.961 beta runs closer to market movement.
Who each is best for
O: Fits investors drawn to monthly income cadence and willing to accept concentrated net lease exposure for a higher yield. The long dividend-growth track record appeals to those seeking stability and predictable distributions rather than capital appreciation.
STAG: Designed for investors prioritizing diversified real estate exposure and quarterly distribution frequency. Suits those who want property-level diversity without the premium yield, and who are comfortable with larger market beta.
Key risks to know
- Net lease concentration (O): Tenant credit quality and lease terms drive cash flow, making O vulnerable if major tenants face distress or if lease renewal becomes more difficult in a weakening economy. A shift in tenant creditworthiness would directly threaten distribution sustainability.
- Yield sustainability: O's 6.03% distribution rate is material relative to typical net lease cap rates; any significant rise in discount rates or widening of cap rate spreads could pressure NAV and dividend-growth trajectory.
- Market beta divergence: STAG's 0.961 beta indicates sensitivity to equity market cycles; in downturns, industrial and diversified property values may decline faster than O's net lease model, which contractually locks in tenant rent.
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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These comparisons follow the Dividend Vision methodology.