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.
Updated October 16, 2026
How these figures are calculated: methodology.
Best for
- STAGInvestors who want real-estate income and inflation sensitivity.
- VICIInvestors who want higher current income (7.80% vs 4.33% 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
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.
STAG has outpaced VICI over the trailing twelve months, posting a -0.74% total return against -17.82%. The picture flips over 5 years, though — VICI has compounded at 0.72% a year, ahead of STAG at 0.60%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.
| Symbol | YTD cumulative | 1Y cumulative | 3Y annualized | 5Y annualized | Since Oct 2017 | Volatility | Sharpe | Sortino | Max drawdown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STAG | 0.57% | -0.74% | 5.11% | 0.60% | 7.40% | 21.5% | 0.04 | 0.05 | -24.6% |
| VICI | -11.62% | -17.82% | -1.29% | 0.72% | 8.32% | 18.9% | -0.29 | -0.41 | -27.9% |
Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of October 16, 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 Oct 2017” measures every fund from October 18, 2017 — 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 |  STAG |  VICI |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | STAG Industrial | VICI Properties |
| Issuer | STAG Industrial | VICI Properties |
| Last Close | $35.83 as of October 16, 2026 | $23.60 as of October 16, 2026 |
| Distribution rate | 4.33% | 7.80% |
| Trailing 12-month yield | 4.28% | 7.67% |
| Distribution Safety Score™ | 79 | 95 |
| Safety-Adjusted Yield | 3.42% | 7.41% |
| 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 | 0.957 | 0.674 |
| Last dividend | $0.3875 | $0.46 |
| Ex-dividend date | 09/30/2026 | 09/17/2026 |
Bottom lineChoose STAG if you want real-estate income and inflation sensitivity. Choose VICI if you want higher current income (7.80% vs 4.33% 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 7.80% vs 4.33% 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 $108.25 cash per distribution, while VICI would produce $195.00 cash per distribution, 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 0.957 for STAG and 0.674 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 rate for STAG and VICI?
STAG currently distributes 4.33% and VICI 7.80%, 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 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 — VICI scores 95, STAG scores 79, so VICI's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. VICI has also shown lower price volatility (beta 0.67 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 STAG vs VICI generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in STAG would generate roughly $108.25 cash per distribution ($433.00 annually). The same in VICI would produce about $195.00 cash per distribution ($780.00 annually).
Which has performed better historically, STAG or VICI?
STAG has outpaced VICI over the trailing twelve months, posting a -0.74% total return against -17.82%. The picture flips over 5 years, though — VICI has compounded at 0.72% a year, ahead of STAG at 0.60%. 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 October 17, 2026.
The key distinction lies in their underlying real-estate strategy: STAG focuses on industrial properties leased to tenants, while VICI operates a net-lease model centered on gaming and entertainment properties, primarily casinos and related venues. This difference in property type drives material divergence in yield, volatility, and business-cycle sensitivity.
How they differ
VICI's distribution rate of 7.80% substantially exceeds STAG's 4.33%, reflecting its higher-yielding net-lease structure and the cash flows generated by casino operations. VICI also exhibits lower stock-market correlation, with a beta of 0.674 versus STAG's 0.957, suggesting VICI shares move less in sync with broad equity markets. The two REITs occupy different property categories—STAG's industrial warehouses and logistics assets serve e-commerce and manufacturing tenants, while VICI's gaming properties operate under long-term lease agreements with established casino operators, making their revenue drivers and lease-renewal dynamics structurally distinct.
Who each is best for
STAG: Fits investors seeking exposure to the secular growth of e-commerce and last-mile logistics, with a moderate yield and lower equity-market sensitivity that appeals to those building a diversified income portfolio.
VICI: Designed for income-focused investors who are comfortable with gaming-sector cyclicality and can tolerate the specific credit and occupancy risks tied to casino operations in exchange for a materially higher current yield.
Key risks to know
- Lease-renewal and tenant-concentration risk. Both REITs depend on tenants' ability to renew or extend leases at comparable rates. VICI's reliance on a smaller number of large casino operators exposes it to gaming-industry downturns and individual operator distress; STAG's industrial tenant base is broader but still vulnerable to logistics-sector softness.
- Net-lease structure volatility at VICI. Gaming properties can experience sharper occupancy and profitability swings than industrial logistics. If anchor tenants face financial pressure or lease terms compress, VICI's ability to maintain its distribution may be tested.
- Economic-cycle sensitivity differs. STAG's industrial properties benefit from sustained e-commerce demand but face pressure in supply-chain normalization or recessions. VICI's casino exposure amplifies discretionary-spending risk during economic downturns, though its triple-net-lease structure partially insulates the REIT from direct operating losses.
- Interest-rate sensitivity. Both REITs fund operations and acquisitions through leverage. Rising rates increase borrowing costs and cap valuations; VICI's higher yield may compress further if rates move higher, while STAG's lower yield offers more cushion.
Bottom line
If you prioritize a measured yield with exposure to secular logistics growth, STAG's 4.33% and 0.957 beta appeal to core income allocations. If you seek a materially higher current yield and can accept gaming-sector and lease-renewal risks, VICI's 7.80% distribution rate and lower market correlation offer a different income profile. Past performance does not predict future results; both face real-estate market cycles and interest-rate pressure.
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.