realestate

Top Real Estate Dividend Stock Falls 6.5% – Buy & Hold Forever

This REIT has raised its dividend annually since inception.

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ICI Properties has boosted its dividend every year since it launched, posting a 6.6% compound annual growth rate over the past eight years—well above the 2.3% average for NNN‑lease REITs. Its current dividend yield sits at 5.7%, and the stock is trading roughly 6.5% below its 52‑week peak, a dip that could signal a buying window for investors seeking a reliable, long‑term income stream.

    The REIT’s portfolio centers on high‑profile casino, hospitality, wellness, entertainment, and leisure venues. Most assets are secured by triple‑net leases with long terms (average remaining lease length of 40 years). Tenants shoulder all operating expenses—maintenance, taxes, insurance—while rent escalates with inflation (42% this year, projected to reach 90% by 2035). This structure delivers stable, gradually increasing rental income, with a 1.7% same‑store growth rate recorded this year. VICI distributes about 75% of its adjusted funds from operations (FFO) as dividends, retaining enough cash to reinvest in new income‑generating properties.

    Financially, the REIT is solid: a 5.2 leverage ratio sits at the lower end of its 5‑5.5 target range, giving it flexibility to pursue further acquisitions. Its high‑yield dividend is built on a foundation of predictable cash flow and conservative balance‑sheet metrics.

    Growth prospects are driven by several key levers:

    1. **Rent escalation** – The increasing number of inflation‑linked leases ensures continued income growth.

    2. **Strategic acquisitions** – VICI has expanded through sale‑leaseback deals and purchases, such as the 2023 acquisition of Chelsea Piers in New York City for $342.9 million, converting a loan into ownership.

    3. **Partner‑funded property upgrades** – In mid‑2024, the REIT supplied up to $700 million to The Venetian Resort Las Vegas for renovations and expansions, boosting future rental income.

    4. **Experiential credit solutions** – The REIT finances operators of experiential venues, exemplified by a $510 million loan for the North Fork Mono Casino and Resort and a $450 million mezzanine investment in One Beverly Hills. These credit deals generate interest income and often include options to acquire the properties later.

    VICI is also diversifying into golf, wellness, family entertainment, and youth sports, creating a broader pipeline for future acquisitions. Its credit‑solution platform not only supplies capital to tenants but also serves as a built‑in acquisition engine.

    With a durable, inflation‑protected income base and ample capital for expansion, VICI Properties offers a compelling, high‑yield dividend that can sustain a passive income stream for years to come. The recent price decline, against a backdrop of a near‑all‑time high market, presents an attractive entry point for long‑term investors.

Real estate dividend stock drops 6.5% on market chart.