
Realty Income. The name itself doesn’t exactly set the pulse racing, does it? But then, neither does a solid, dependable foundation. And that’s precisely what this company is. It owns a frankly astonishing number of properties – over 15,500, if you’re counting (and who isn’t?) – mostly leased to rather unglamorous but reliably profitable businesses. Think drugstores, grocery stores, and the occasional bowling alley. It’s the largest of its kind, dwarfing its nearest competitor. Being big has its advantages, of course. Easier access to money, lower borrowing costs, the ability to withstand a surprisingly large number of rogue weather events. It’s not exciting, but it’s… robust. They’re expanding too, venturing into Europe, casinos (always a good sign, that), and even Mexico. It’s all sensible stuff, and the yield is currently around 5.3%. They’ve been steadily increasing dividends for thirty years, which, in the volatile world of finance, is akin to discovering a perfectly preserved fossil.