8 Best Monthly Dividend Stocks To Buy for 2024 (2024)

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Monthly dividend stocks are useful for investors in search of a source of income in the form of regular payments, which can be beneficial during retirement. Some investors may also choose to invest in monthly dividend stocks during bear markets, when the prices of their stocks are dropping.

Regardless of your situation, the regular payments that monthly dividend stocks provide can make planning your finances easier, especially if you rely on your portfolio for income. They can also help calm your fears about a struggling market as you receive consistent dividends each and every month.

Best Monthly Dividend Stocks

Take a look at some of the best monthly dividend stocks and what makes them stand out.

1. Main Street Capital Corp. (MAIN)

Main Street Capital Corp. is a private equity firm that invests in lower-middle-market companies with revenues between $10 million and $150 million. The company has been around since the mid-1990s. In that time, it has helped over 200 private companies grow. It focuses on companies with strong competitive advantages, stable and positive cash flow and seasoned management teams with established track records.

• Pros: Track record of success, solid recent earnings
• Cons: Some recent dividends have been lower than usual
• Market cap: $4.29 billion
• Dividend yield: 2.12%

2. Realty Income Corp. (O)

Realty Income Corp. is a real estate investment trust, or REIT — pronounced “reet” — that invests in commercial properties. As a REIT, the company is so confident in its ability to pay monthly dividends that it calls itself The Monthly Dividend Company. It is also a member of the S&P 500 and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats index.

Dividend Aristocrats are companies that pay regular dividends and increase them consistently. O has paid out 650 consecutive monthly dividends and implemented 107 consecutive quarterly increases.

• Pros: Strong history of increasing dividends
• Cons: Has underperformed the market recently
• Market cap: $54.12 billion
• Dividend yield: 5.09%

3. SL Green Realty Corp. (SLG)

SL Green is a REIT that invests in office buildings and shopping centers in New York City and is Manhattan’s largest office landlord, according to the company’s website. Its website also notes that SL Green held interests that spanned 55 buildings totaling 31.8 million square feet as of June 30. The company is based in New York City and was founded in 1997.

• Pros: Strong real estate portfolio in an attractive market; high dividend yield
• Cons: Office buildings struggling with vacancies in current commercial real estate market
• Market cap: $4.36 billion
• Dividend yield: 4.51%

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4. AGNC Investment Corp. (AGNC)

AGNC Investment Corp. is a REIT that invests in residential mortgages. Although it invests on a leveraged basis, its investments are mainly in agency mortgage-backed securities, which means they are backed by government-sponsored enterprises or government agencies. This can help reduce risk for investors. Notably, its dividend is the highest in this roundup.

• Pros: High dividend
• Cons: High debt load; high dividend yield is disproportionate to earnings
• Market cap: $8.04 billion
• Dividend yield: 14.01%

5. EPR Properties (EPR)

EPR Properties describes itself as an experiential REIT. It invests in commercial properties, primarily focused on entertainment. This includes amusem*nt parks, movie theaters and ski resorts. Its current investment portfolio contains $6.8 billion worth of assets, and the company claims its market potential exceeds $100 billion.

• Pros: Potentially has a lot of room to grow its portfolio
• Cons: Share price hasn’t recovered from pandemic shutdowns; hasn’t always paid consistent monthly dividends
• Market cap: $3.6 billion
• Dividend yield: 7.22%

6. Apple Hospitality REIT Inc. (APLE)

Apple Hospitality REIT invests in upscale hotels in the United States. Its extensive portfolio includes 224 hotels with over 3,000 guest rooms. Those hotels span 87 markets across 37 states. They include hotels in leading brands, such as Marriott and Hilton.

• Pros: Large portfolio that invests in major hotel brands
• Cons: Lower earnings yield than some competing REITs
• Market cap: $3.44 billion
• Dividend yield: 6.73%

7. SLR Investment Corp. (SLRC)

SLR Investment Corp. is a business development company that invests in secured loans of middle-market companies. Using the direct origination platform provided by SLR Capital Partners, the independent investment advisor that manages SLR Investment Corp., the company says it takes a private-equity-style approach to its credit underwriting process. SLR has invested more than $19 billion in over 1,500 different portfolio companies.

• Pros: Low volatility over the past year
• Cons: Inconsistent earnings
• Market cap: $849.96 million
• Dividend yield: 10.53%

8. STAG Industrial Inc. (STAG)

STAG Industrial Inc. is a REIT focused on acquiring and operating industrial properties in the United States. It invested $467.1 million in 2022 alone, acquiring 26 buildings totaling 4.7 million square feet. Overall, its enterprise value is $9.5 billion as of June 30, with 573 buildings totaling 114.1 million square feet. The company has a presence in 41 states.

• Pros: Unique opportunity to invest in warehouses; operates in most states
• Cons: Has a relatively high price-earnings ratio
• Market cap: $7.49 billion
• Dividend yield: 3.67%

Final Take

Dividend stocks can be the perfect investment for those who need regular income, such as retirees. These stocks tend to operate in established sectors, such as real estate, which allows them to pay regular income to investors. Some even pay monthly dividends, which is perfect if you rely on your portfolio as a source of income.

If you need income from your portfolio every month, look for industries that can pay dividends consistently, such as real estate, energy and private equity. However, keep in mind that it isn’t always best to chase high yields. Instead, you should look for companies that consistently increase dividends. These are known as Dividend Aristocrats, and these companies will be less likely to cut dividends in the future.

Daria Uhlig contributed to the reporting for this article.

Data is accurate as of Aug. 30, 2024, and is subject to change.