Three Premier High-Yield Dividend Stocks to Buy and Hold Long-Term

Finding the best high dividend stocks to buy now requires examining companies with proven track records of consistent dividend growth and strong financial foundations. Three real estate investment trusts (REITs) stand out in this category for their exceptional ability to increase payouts while maintaining financial stability: Realty Income, Mid-America Apartment Communities, and Rexford Industrial Realty.

The appeal of dividend-focused investing lies in its historical performance advantage. Companies that regularly increase their dividends have consistently delivered superior total returns compared to non-dividend-paying peers. REITs, in particular, have demonstrated remarkable strength in this regard, significantly outperforming broader equity markets over extended periods.

Realty Income: Unwavering Dividend Growth Excellence

Realty Income (NYSE: O) exemplifies consistency in the REIT sector. Since its 1994 public listing, the company has raised its monthly dividend payment 133 times—a remarkable streak unbroken for 113 consecutive quarters. This disciplined approach has enabled dividend growth at a 4.2% compound annual rate over three decades, contributing to a robust 13.7% average annualized total return since the company’s inception.

The company’s financial structure reinforces its dividend reliability. It maintains a conservative dividend payout ratio of approximately 75% of adjusted funds from operations, providing substantial cushion for reinvestment and growth. Realty Income’s balance sheet ranks among the top ten in its sector, offering considerable flexibility for portfolio expansion and continued dividend increases.

Realty Income’s investment opportunities extend across diverse property types and geographies. The company employs a diversified strategy encompassing retail, industrial, gaming, and other assets throughout the U.S. and Europe, secured by long-term net leases. It identified $97 billion in potential investment opportunities through the third quarter, executing approximately 4% of identified deals—a selective approach that prioritizes high-quality investments. With $14 trillion in eligible real estate across its target markets, the company’s growth runway remains exceptionally long.

Mid-America Apartment Communities: Expanding Income Stream

Mid-America Apartment Communities (NYSE: MAA) recently extended its consecutive dividend growth streak to 16 years. The company has never suspended or reduced its dividend throughout its 30+ year tenure as a publicly traded enterprise. Its current dividend yield stands at 4.5%, with payouts growing at a 7% compound annual rate over the past decade—above the average for its peers.

This steady expansion has translated into compelling shareholder returns, with the company delivering 9.6% annualized total returns over the past 20 years. The apartment REIT’s positioning for continued dividend growth remains strong, supported by a modest dividend payout ratio and a premier-tier balance sheet providing substantial financial flexibility.

The company’s growth pipeline demonstrates substantial capacity for future dividend support. Mid-America currently has seven apartment communities under development representing approximately $800 million in investment capital, with completion expected over the coming years. Beyond these projects, an extensive pipeline of future development initiatives remains in planning stages. Recent acquisition activity includes a nearly $100 million stabilized apartment community purchase in Kansas City, plus strategic land acquisitions in Kansas City and Arizona earmarked for future development phases.

Rexford Industrial Realty: Growth Embedded in Current Holdings

Rexford Industrial Realty (NYSE: REXR) has achieved an impressive 15% compound annual dividend growth rate over the past five years. The Southern California-focused industrial REIT currently offers a 4.2% yield, with its dividend expansion driven by rising rental rates, development activity, and strategic acquisitions.

What distinguishes Rexford is the substantial embedded growth within its existing asset base. Current lease contracts will escalate rents at an average 3.7% annually over coming years, generating approximately $105 million in incremental net operating income. The company’s repositioning and redevelopment initiatives, currently under construction or in lease-up phases, are expected to contribute an additional $70 million in annual net operating income upon stabilization. As legacy leases expire and are renewed at elevated market rates, management conservatively projects an incremental $20 million in NOI from higher lease rates.

Combined, these embedded growth initiatives represent $195 million in additional annual income potential—a 28% increase from the company’s current annualized rate—without accounting for acquisitions. This structural growth foundation provides substantial visibility into future dividend growth capability.

Why These Represent the Best High Dividend Stocks to Buy Today

The investment case for dividend-focused equity selection remains compelling. Companies demonstrating sustained commitment to increasing distributions have historically proven themselves as wise long-term investments. Realty Income, Mid-America Apartment Communities, and Rexford Industrial Realty each boast excellent dividend growth records with favorable conditions supporting continued increases.

Realty Income offers unmatched consistency through 30 years of proven execution. Mid-America Apartment Communities combines steady growth with strategic development and acquisition activity. Rexford Industrial Realty provides substantial embedded growth potential from its existing portfolio. These characteristics position all three as compelling options for investors seeking the best high dividend stocks to buy and hold through market cycles.

For investors seeking reliable income generation combined with long-term capital appreciation potential, these three REITs merit consideration as core portfolio holdings designed to generate and grow cash returns over extended periods.