The stock market is a roller coaster right now. Geopolitical tensions, rising oil prices, and worries about a potential recession are sending investors scrambling for safety. And when the market gets jittery, it’s time to take a serious look at your retirement portfolio. Are you betting on risky, high-growth stocks like Tesla, praying for a big win? Or are you playing it smart, securing a steady stream of income that will support you no matter what the market throws your way?
Let’s face it, Tesla is a thrill ride, not a retirement plan. The electric vehicle maker announced third-quarter deliveries that missed Wall Street's expectations, sending shares down by as much as 5%, as Investopedia reported. As Wedbush Securities managing director Dan Ives pointed out, investors “walk away from delivery numbers expecting more.”
That’s the problem with Tesla. It’s all about hype and speculation, not reliable performance. You never know what Elon Musk is going to tweet next, or what new venture he's going to chase. For long-term investors, especially those nearing retirement, that kind of uncertainty is a recipe for disaster.
But what if I told you that there's a boring but beautiful alternative? A company that pays a consistent dividend every single month, like clockwork? A company that's built a rock-solid reputation for providing investors with a steady stream of income, year after year, regardless of market conditions?
That company is Realty Income (NYSE: O), and its stock yields an attractive 5.1% right now, according to Yahoo Finance. Realty Income is a real estate investment trust, or REIT. REITs are companies that own and operate income-producing real estate. By law, they must pay out at least 90% of their taxable income to shareholders through dividends, making them a fantastic way to generate a reliable stream of passive income.
Realty Income, affectionately known as “The Monthly Dividend Company,” has increased its dividend annually for 29 consecutive years. That’s the kind of track record you can depend on! And as The Motley Fool points out, Realty Income is a giant in the net lease space. It owns over 15,400 properties, with exposure to retail and industrial assets in both North America and Europe. Its size and financial strength give it a huge edge when it comes to making profitable investments and ensuring its dividend payouts are safe and secure.
So, why gamble on the volatile swings of Tesla when you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a monthly dividend check from Realty Income? Don’t let your retirement depend on the whims of a billionaire CEO with a Twitter account. Invest in a solid, proven income-generating machine that you can count on, month after month, year after year.
And don’t miss out on tomorrow’s article, where I reveal 3 “Dividend Kings” that are absolutely crushing the market right now. You won’t want to miss it!