REIT Comparison
STAG vs VICI: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?
A head-to-head comparison of STAG Industrial and VICI Properties covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
Data updated September 4, 2026
Best for
- STAGInvestors who want real-estate income and inflation sensitivity.
- VICIInvestors who want higher current income (7.08% vs 4.14% for STAG).
Visual comparison
Key metrics
Projected income on $10K
Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Total returns
STAG has outpaced VICI over the trailing twelve months, posting a 6.84% total return against -18.97%. The lead holds up over 5 years too: STAG has compounded at 1.21% a year, against 0.80% for VICI. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.
| Symbol | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | Since Oct 2017 | Volatility | Sharpe | Sortino | Max drawdown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STAG | 4.20% | 6.84% | 5.32% | 1.21% | 7.98% | 21.7% | 0.03 | 0.04 | -24.6% |
| VICI | -6.69% | -18.97% | -0.67% | 0.80% | 9.11% | 19.0% | -0.27 | -0.38 | -20.2% |
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 Oct 2017” measures every fund from October 18, 2017 — 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 |  STAG |  VICI |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | STAG Industrial | VICI Properties |
| Issuer | STAG Industrial | VICI Properties |
| Last Close | $37.68 as of September 4, 2026 | $25.42 as of September 4, 2026 |
| Distribution yield | 4.14% | 7.08% |
| Distribution Safety Score™ | 100 | 100 |
| Safety-Adjusted Yield | 4.14% | 7.08% |
| Expense ratio | — | — |
| AUM | — | — |
| Distribution frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| 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 | 0.967 | 0.687 |
| Last dividend | $0.39 declared, pays 10/15/2026 | $0.45 |
| Ex-dividend date | 09/30/2026 upcoming | 06/18/2026 |
Bottom lineChoose STAG if you want real-estate income and inflation sensitivity. Choose VICI if you want higher current income (7.08% vs 4.14% for STAG).
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Quick verdict
STAG (STAG Industrial) and VICI (VICI Properties) are both quarterly-pay dividend-paying real estate investment trusts (REITs), but they take different approaches.
VICI offers the higher yield at 7.08% vs 4.14% 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, STAG would generate roughly $34.50/month, while VICI would produce $59.00/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.
Strategy & risk
STAG is a real estate investment trust built around diversified REIT exposure, while VICI is a real estate investment trust built around diversified REIT exposure. Beta is 0.967 for STAG and 0.687 for VICI, making VICI the less volatile of the two by this measure.
Security details
STAG (STAG Industrial) is a real estate investment trust. VICI (VICI Properties) is a real estate investment trust.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the current distribution yield for STAG and VICI?
STAG currently distributes 4.14% and VICI 7.08%, 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 STAG or VICI better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. VICI 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 STAG and VICI?
STAG (STAG Industrial) is a real estate investment trust built around diversified REIT exposure, while VICI (VICI Properties) is a real estate investment trust built around diversified REIT exposure. They are issued by STAG Industrial and VICI Properties respectively.
Can I hold both STAG and VICI?
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 STAG or VICI safer?
By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — they are effectively tied: STAG scores 100, VICI scores 100. Neither has a clear safety edge on that measure. VICI has also shown lower price volatility (beta 0.69 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 STAG vs VICI generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in STAG would generate roughly $34.50 per month ($414.00 annually). The same in VICI would produce about $59.00 per month ($708.00 annually).
Which has performed better historically, STAG or VICI?
STAG has outpaced VICI over the trailing twelve months, posting a 6.84% total return against -18.97%. The lead holds up over 5 years too: STAG has compounded at 1.21% a year, against 0.80% for VICI. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
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STAG vs VICI — at a glance
Generated September 2, 2026.
Overview
STAG Industrial is an industrial and logistics REIT. VICI Properties owns gaming and entertainment real estate. STAG shifted to quarterly distributions in 2026, and VICI also pays quarterly. The current yield edge belongs to VICI, while STAG brings more industrial-cycle exposure.
How they differ
VICI currently distributes 7.08% compared with STAG at 4.14%. STAG's beta of 0.967 indicates near-market-level sensitivity to broad equity moves, while VICI's 0.687 beta suggests lower volatility by this measure. The property mix is the larger strategic difference: STAG's portfolio leans toward logistics and manufacturing facilities, whereas VICI's properties are tied to casinos and entertainment venues.
Who each is best for
STAG: Investors who want industrial-property exposure and can accept higher market sensitivity and quarterly payout timing.
VICI: Investors seeking a higher current REIT distribution rate with gaming and entertainment real estate exposure and somewhat lower observed beta.
Key risks to know
- Property-type concentration. STAG's focus on industrial logistics exposes holders to sector-specific headwinds if e-commerce growth slows or logistics utilization declines. VICI's heavy weighting to gaming and entertainment means earnings are sensitive to consumer discretionary spending and travel trends.
- Interest-rate sensitivity. Both REITs are vulnerable to rising rates, which increase borrowing costs and can compress property valuations. STAG's higher beta suggests it may experience sharper price swings in a risk-off or rate-sensitive market.
- Tenant credit risk. STAG's industrial tenants and VICI's gaming operators are only as strong as their balance sheets. Economic weakness that impairs tenant operations can reduce rent collection and force property write-downs.
- Distribution sustainability. VICI's higher current yield deserves the closer coverage and debt-cost check; STAG's lower current rate should still be evaluated against occupancy, leasing spreads, and payout history.
Bottom line
If you want industrial REIT exposure, STAG offers that profile with quarterly distributions and higher market sensitivity. If current income is the main screen, VICI's 7.08% distribution rate is higher than STAG's 4.14%, though both remain exposed to tenant health, real estate valuations, and interest-rate cycles. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
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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