Realty Income: Dividend Analysis

Realty Income Corporation engages in the acquisition and ownership of commercial retail real estate properties in the United States. The company leases its retail properties primarily to regional and national retail chain store operators. As of December 31, 2007, it owned 2270 retail properties located in 49 states, covering approximately 18.5 million square feet of leasable space.

The company is a dividend achiever as well as a component of the S&P 1500 index. It has been increasing its dividends for the past 14 consecutive years. From 1998 up until June 30 2008 this dividend growth stock has delivered an annual average total return of 14.90 % to its shareholders.