Kimco Realty

KIM

Market cap $14B

Not all REIT property sectors are equally attractive. Some are oversupplied and expensive, even as others enjoy steady growth and trade at low valuations. I highlight my three favorite property sectors going into 2026.

Value and income equities, exemplified by SCHD, are showing early signs of a market rotation after years of underperformance vs. the S&P 500. REITs currently trade at a significant discount to the S&P 500, improving long-term risk/reward profiles for patient investors. Retail real estate and multifamily housing are highlighted as sectors with substantial tailwinds, supported by supply-demand dynamics and favorable rental value propositions.

We look to highlight some potential opportunities that focus on dividend growth stocks as a way to build long-term cash flows for income-focused investors. The screening process emphasizes dividend safety, growth, and consistency, using Seeking Alpha's screening tool. We then sort them by the highest yields, as these rank highly on dividend safety; a higher yield could be more desirable if it is suggested that they are safe.

REITs remain attractively valued, with many trading at near 10-year high dividend yields. AFFO yield plus AFFO growth is utilized as a scoring system in this article. ARE leads in value but faces risks from declining occupancy and potential AFFO contraction. Others in the top 5 include VICI, IRM, EQIX and PSA.

JERICHO, N.Y., Dec. 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kimco Realty® (NYSE: KIM) will announce its fourth quarter 2025 earnings on February 12, 2026, before market open.

S&P 500 high-yield 'safer' dividend stocks offer attractive upside, with twelve currently meeting the dogcatcher ideal of dividends exceeding share prices. Analyst targets forecast 21.14% to 44.05% net gains for top-ten S&P 500 dividend dogs by December 2026, with an average 28.35% gain and lower-than-market volatility. Stocks with negative free cash flow margins—fifteen of the top fifty—are flagged as unsafe for dividend sustainability despite high yields.

Kimco Realty is upgraded to Buy, now offering a 5.1% dividend yield and trading below intrinsic value. KIM's latest report featured raised guidance, a 4% dividend hike, and robust fundamentals with a 95.7% occupancy rate and A- credit rating. The REIT's payout ratio is a conservative ~77.9% of AFFO, with well-staggered debt maturities and strong tenant diversification supporting stability.

KIM secures a rating upgrade to A3, enhancing its credit strength and easing future borrowing as it advances growth plans.

JERICHO, New York, Dec. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kimco Realty® (NYSE: KIM), a real estate investment trust (REIT) and leading owner and operator of high-quality, open-air, grocery-anchored shopping centers and mixed-use properties in the United States, today announced the company achieved an ‘A3' credit rating with a stable outlook from Moody's Ratings (“Moody's”), placing Kimco among a select group of REITs with A-level ratings from the three largest ratings agencies.

Eight of the top fifteen Barron's Better Bets (BBB) 'Safer' dividend stocks, including Conagra, Altria, and Verizon, are currently attractively priced for income investors. Analyst forecasts project net gains of 18.44% to 29.95% for the top ten BBB Dogs by November 2026, with an average estimated gain of 22.01%. Stocks are considered 'dogs' when their reliable dividends and lower prices result in higher yields; eight of the top ten are already at ideal pricing levels.