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 August 13, 2026
Best for
- STAGInvestors who want higher current income (8.36% vs 6.93% for VICI).
- VICIInvestors who want real-estate income and inflation sensitivity.
Side-by-side snapshot
| Metric | STAG | VICI |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | STAG Industrial | VICI Properties |
| Issuer | STAG Industrial | VICI Properties |
| Last Close | $36.94 as of August 13, 2026 | $26.07 as of August 13, 2026 |
| Distribution yield | 8.36% | 6.93% |
| Distribution Safety Score™ | 100 | 100 |
| Expense ratio | — | — |
| AUM | — | — |
| Distribution frequency | Monthly | 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 | $0.3900 | $0.4500 |
| Ex-dividend date | 09/30/2026 | 06/18/2026 |
Bottom lineChoose STAG if you want higher current income (8.36% vs 6.93% for VICI). Choose VICI if you want real-estate income and inflation sensitivity.
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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 11.87% total return against -15.42%. The picture flips over 5 years, though — VICI has compounded at 2.42% a year, ahead of STAG at 1.85%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.
| Symbol | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | Since Oct 2017 | Volatility | Sharpe | Sortino | Max drawdown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STAG | 2.15% | 11.87% | 5.10% | 1.85% | 7.80% | 21.8% | 0.02 | 0.03 | -24.6% |
| VICI | -4.30% | -15.42% | 0.37% | 2.42% | 9.49% | 19.0% | -0.22 | -0.30 | -18.6% |
Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of August 12, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows 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.
Quick verdict
STAG (STAG Industrial) and VICI (VICI Properties) are both dividend-paying real estate investment trusts (REITs), but they take different approaches.
STAG offers the higher yield at 8.36% vs 6.93% for VICI. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
Who should choose each?
Choose STAG
STAG Industrial
- Want higher current income — STAG yields 8.36% vs 6.93% for VICI.
- Want real-estate exposure for income and inflation sensitivity.
Choose VICI
VICI Properties
- Want real-estate exposure for income and inflation sensitivity.
- Prefer lower volatility — a beta of 0.7 vs 1.0 for STAG.
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, STAG would generate roughly $69.67/month, while VICI would produce $57.75/month, at current distribution rates.
Strategy & risk
STAG is a real estate investment trust, while VICI is a real estate investment trust. Beta is 0.967 for STAG and 0.687 for VICI, indicating VICI is less volatile relative to the market.
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 8.36% and VICI 6.93%, 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 STAG or VICI 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 STAG and VICI?
STAG (STAG Industrial) is a real estate investment trust, while VICI (VICI Properties) is a real estate investment trust. 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 $69.67 per month ($836.00 annually). The same in VICI would produce about $57.75 per month ($693.00 annually).
Which has performed better historically, STAG or VICI?
STAG has outpaced VICI over the trailing twelve months, posting a 11.87% total return against -15.42%. The picture flips over 5 years, though — VICI has compounded at 2.42% a year, ahead of STAG at 1.85%. 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 August 8, 2026.
Figures quoted in this analysis are from its generation date and may lag the live snapshot table above, which always shows the latest data.
Overview
STAG Industrial and VICI Properties are both real estate investment trusts focused on income-producing properties, but they differ in their underlying real estate focus and distribution cadence. STAG owns light industrial, logistics, and flex properties leased to operating businesses, while VICI owns gaming and entertainment real estate—primarily casino properties—on long-term triple-net leases. STAG distributes monthly at 8.24% versus VICI's quarterly distribution at 6.82%.
How they differ
The biggest difference is their property type and tenant base. STAG holds diversified industrial and logistics real estate across the U.S., while VICI's portfolio is heavily concentrated in gaming and entertainment properties, with exposure to major operators like Caesars, MGM Resorts, and Penn Entertainment through long-term master leases. That concentration shapes their revenue stability and growth prospects differently.
STAG's monthly distribution frequency and higher yield (8.24% versus 6.82%) appeal to investors seeking steady cash flow, though the steeper payout rate deserves scrutiny. VICI trades at a lower price per share ($26.74 versus $37.30) and has a materially lower beta of 0.687 compared to STAG's 0.967, suggesting VICI responds less sharply to broad market moves—a reflection of gaming real estate's relative stability under long-term lease structures.
Who each is best for
STAG: Fits investors seeking frequent dividend distributions and exposure to secular tailwinds in logistics and light industrial real estate, with a tolerance for higher distribution yields and moderate equity-market correlation.
VICI: Designed for income-focused allocations that prioritize lower volatility and triple-net lease certainty, particularly those comfortable with gaming and entertainment real estate concentration and quarterly payout schedules.
Key risks to know
- STAG's 8.24% yield raises NAV-erosion questions. With distributions running that high relative to typical industrial real estate cap rates, investors should scrutinize whether the payout relies on rent growth, leverage, or gradual principal return. Sustained distributions above underlying property returns compress long-term book value.
- VICI's concentration in gaming real estate creates tenant and sector risk. The portfolio's exposure to casino operators and entertainment venues ties performance to consumer discretionary spending and could underperform during economic downturns or shifts in gaming habits.
- Triple-net lease structures (especially VICI) shift maintenance and capital-expenditure risk to tenants. While this protects REIT-level distributions, tenant defaults or lease non-renewal carry outsized consequences for properties with narrow sub-market appeal.
- Industrial real estate (STAG) faces supply-and-demand cyclicality. Rapid new construction in logistics markets and potential shifts in e-commerce fulfillment patterns could pressure rent growth and property valuations.
Bottom line
If you prioritize frequent, high-yield distributions and industrial real estate exposure, STAG's monthly payout structure and 8.24% yield stand out; if you value lower volatility and the revenue stability of long-term gaming leases, VICI's 0.687 beta and 6.82% distribution offer a different profile. Both carry property-class-specific risks worth understanding before committing capital. 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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