Earn Passive Income from the U.S. Government With These 2 Stocks

In today’s financial landscape, investors are exploring avenues for passive income, and real estate investment trusts (REITs) have emerged as a compelling option. 

Let's delve into two REITs that specialize in owning and managing properties leased to U.S. government agencies and contractors.

Easterly Government Properties 

Easterly Government Properties DEA owns and manages a portfolio of 90 properties in 26 U.S. states containing approximately 8.9 million leased square feet. Its properties are leased to 40 different government agencies, including the FBI, DEA, Department of Defense, National Parks Service, and Social Security Administration.

Easterly currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.265 per share, equating to an annualized dividend of $1.06 per share and giving its stock a yield of about 9.15% at today's levels. 

Easterly has also raised its annual dividend five times since its initial public offering in 2015, making it a reliable source of dividend growth on top of its hefty yield.

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COPT Defense Properties

COPT Defense Properties CDP owns or has ownership interests in a portfolio of 190 properties consisting of 21.7 million square feet that support key U.S. Government defense installations and defense contractors. Its largest tenants include the U.S. Government, General Dynamics, Boeing, CACI International, and Booz Allen Hamilton.

COPT currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.285 per share, equating to an annualized dividend of $1.14 and giving its stock a yield of about 4.7% at today's levels.

COPT can be considered a very reliable source of income as it has paid a quarterly dividend of at least $0.275 per share since 2012.

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