What Is the Highest Realty Income Stock Has Ever Been?

Key Points

• Realty Income is a bellwether net-lease REIT.

• The company's all-time high was hit just before the coronavirus pandemic.

• Although the rise in interest rates has limited investor enthusiasm for Realty Income, the high yield should still be attractive.

• 10 stocks we like better than Realty Income ›

The highest Realty Income's (NYSE: O) stock has ever been was just shy of $80 per share, a peak hit in early 2020. And then the coronavirus pandemic upended the economy and the stock market, which fell into a bear market.

Unlike the price of the S&P 500 index (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC), which has rallied to new highs, Realty Income's share price hasn't recovered. It is still down roughly 25% from its high-water mark. But that's a big reason why long-term dividend investors may want to buy this industry-leading net lease real estate investment trust (REIT).

Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Learn More »

Realty Income has a high yield, a strong business, a great history

The big attraction for Realty Income right now is its lofty 5.5% dividend yield. The S&P 500 index is offering a scant 1.2%, and the average REIT has a yield of about 3.8%. Clearly, if you are looking to add some income to your portfolio, Realty Income will provide that.

Image source: Getty Images.

That yield is backed by a REIT with an investment-grade-rated balance sheet, a portfolio of over 15,600 buildings diversified by asset class and geography, and a dividend streak that spans across three decades. To be fair, Realty Income is a bit of a tortoise, with dividend growth over the past 30 years that averaged roughly 4.2%. But given the yield, that's not likely to be a problem for income lovers.

But why is the yield so high? The answer is that interest rates rose after the pandemic, which makes it more difficult for REITs to find profitable investments. More difficult, however, does not mean impossible. Once rates fall again (or property markets adjust to higher rates), Realty Income's growth will go from a snail's pace to the more normal tortoise-like pace. Buying now, while the stock is so far from its all-time high, gets you a big yield, a reliable REIT, and still-attractive recovery potential.

Should you invest $1,000 in Realty Income right now?

Before you buy stock in Realty Income, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Realty Income wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $670,781!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,023,752!*

Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 1,052% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 185% for the S&P 500. Don’t miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor.

See the 10 stocks »

*Stock Advisor returns as of September 8, 2025

Reuben Gregg Brewer has positions in Realty Income. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Realty Income. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.