High-Yield REITs 2026
Real Estate Investment Trusts offering attractive dividend yields. REITs must distribute 90% of taxable income to shareholders.
Top High-Yield REITs
Live dataReal Estate Investment Trusts with attractive dividend yields:
| Symbol | Company | Type | Price | Yield | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AGNC | AGNC Investment Corp | REIT | $11.93 | 12.07% | Monthly |
| O | Realty Income | Real Estate | $61.42 | 5.28% | Quarterly |
| FRT | Federal Realty Investment | Real Estate | $103.67 | 4.36% | Quarterly |
| STAG | STAG Industrial | REIT | $36.20 | 4.12% | Monthly |
| ESS | Essex Property Trust | Real Estate | $258.27 | 3.98% | Quarterly |
Quick Navigation
Understanding REITs
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are companies that own, operate, or finance income-producing real estate. By law, REITs must distribute at least 90% of their taxable income to shareholders, making them popular income investments.
Types of REITs:
- Equity REITs - Own and operate income-producing real estate (most common)
- Mortgage REITs (mREITs) - Finance real estate through mortgages/MBS (higher yield, higher risk)
- Hybrid REITs - Combine equity and mortgage strategies
REIT Sectors:
REIT Tax Considerations
REIT dividends are taxed differently than qualified dividends from regular stocks:
- Ordinary income portion - Taxed at your marginal tax rate (often the largest portion)
- Capital gains portion - Taxed at capital gains rates
- Return of capital - Not immediately taxed, reduces cost basis
- 199A deduction - Qualified REIT dividends may be eligible for 20% deduction
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do REITs have high yields?
REITs are legally required to distribute at least 90% of taxable income as dividends. This requirement, plus the steady income from real estate, results in above-average yields.
Are mortgage REITs safe?
Mortgage REITs (like AGNC) typically have higher yields but more risk. They're sensitive to interest rates and can be volatile. Equity REITs are generally considered more stable.
What's the best REIT for beginners?
Diversified equity REITs like Realty Income (O) or REIT ETFs like VNQ offer broad exposure with lower individual company risk. O has decades of dividend growth.
How do interest rates affect REITs?
Rising rates can pressure REIT prices as their yields become less attractive relative to bonds, and borrowing costs increase. However, quality REITs with pricing power can still perform well.