These Top Stocks Just Raised Their Dividends By Up To 4.2%, Should You Be Buying Now?

In a positive development for investors, two high-quality real estate investment trusts (REITs) announced dividend increases last week. Investors should take note of REITs that are increasing their dividends because this typically indicates strong financial health and stable cash flow, which are key for finding stocks that provide reliable income streams over the long term.

Let’s examine each REIT to see if there's room in your portfolio for one or both.

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VICI Properties

VICI Properties VICI owns and manages gaming, hospitality, and entertainment properties in North America. As of June 30, its portfolio comprised 93 properties containing approximately 127 million square feet, about 60,300 hotel rooms, and more than 500 restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and sportsbooks. Its portfolio includes casinos, hotels, golf courses, bowling alleys, and racetracks.

On Sept. 5, VICI raised its dividend by 4.2%. The company now pays a quarterly dividend of $0.4325 per share, equating to $1.73 per share annually and giving it a yield of about 5.2% at the time of this writing.

The dividend increase adds to VICI's impressive track record of dividend growth. This marks the seventh consecutive annual dividend increase since the company's initial public offering in February 2018.

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Realty Income

Realty Income O is the world's seventh-largest global REIT. As of June 30, its portfolio comprised 15,450 properties containing approximately 335 million square feet, leased to more than 1,550 clients across 90 industries.

On Sept. 10, Realty Income raised its dividend by 0.2%. The company now pays a monthly dividend of $0.2635 per share, equating to an annualized dividend of $3.162 per share and giving it a yield of about 5.1% at the time of this writing.

This marked the 108th consecutive quarter that Realty Income has raised its dividend. Overall, the company has raised its dividend for 29 consecutive years, and its recent hikes have it on track for 2024 to mark the 30th consecutive year with an increase.

Better Yields Than Some REITs?

The current high-interest-rate environment has created an incredible opportunity for income-seeking investors to earn massive yields, but not through publicly-traded REITs.

Arrived Homes, the Jeff Bezos-backed investment platform has launched its Private Credit Fund, which provides access to a pool of short-term loans backed by residential real estate with a target 7% to 9% net annual yield paid to investors monthly. It paid 8.1% in July. The best part? Unlike other private credit funds, this one has a minimum investment of only $100. 

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