Why Monthly Dividends Matter
Most stocks pay dividends quarterly, meaning only 4 times a year. But for people living off passive income—or planning to—monthly cash flow is critical. It allows for smoother budgeting, more consistent reinvestment, and quicker compounding.
While many monthly payers are ETFs, there are a few powerful individual companies that send cash every month directly into your account.
Here are the top 3 in 2025.
1. Realty Income (Ticker: O)
Dividend Frequency: Monthly
Yield (2025): ~5.5%
Sector: REIT (Real Estate)
Why It’s a Winner:
Known as “The Monthly Dividend Company”, Realty Income has paid over 600 consecutive monthly dividends and increased payouts for 29 years. It owns thousands of retail and industrial properties leased to blue-chip tenants like Walgreens, FedEx, and Dollar General.
Bonus: It’s also a Dividend Aristocrat—a rare REIT with consistent growth.
2. STAG Industrial (Ticker: STAG)
Dividend Frequency: Monthly
Yield (2025): ~4.1%
Sector: REIT (Industrial Warehouses)
Why It’s a Winner:
STAG focuses on single-tenant industrial properties across the U.S.—a booming sector thanks to e-commerce and logistics. It’s a pure-play on long-term warehousing demand with solid occupancy rates and dependable monthly income.
Fun Fact: STAG has never missed a monthly payout since going public in 2011.
3. Main Street Capital (Ticker: MAIN)
Dividend Frequency: Monthly
Yield (2025): ~7.1%
Sector: BDC (Business Development Company)
Why It’s a Winner:
MAIN lends money to small- and medium-sized U.S. businesses, generating consistent returns. It pays a monthly dividend, plus occasional special dividends. It also grows its NAV (net asset value) steadily—rare among BDCs.
Bonus: DRIP (dividend reinvestment) is available through most brokers.
Monthly Income Example (Simple Portfolio)
| Stock | Investment | Yield | Monthly Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| O | $40,000 | 5.5% | ~$183 |
| STAG | $30,000 | 4.1% | ~$103 |
| MAIN | $30,000 | 7.1% | ~$178 |
| Total | $100,000 | — | ~$464/month |
Even with just $100,000, you can generate almost $500 per month, entirely from stocks—not ETFs.
Where to Buy
All three stocks are traded on the NYSE and are available through:
- Fidelity
- Charles Schwab
- Robinhood
- TD Ameritrade
- M1 Finance
No ETF or fund needed—just buy and hold.
Final Thoughts
If you want regular income without the complexity of ETFs, these 3 monthly dividend stocks offer a simple, powerful alternative. They’re stable, well-known, and available to anyone—even beginners.
Turn dividends into rent money, food money, or automatic reinvestment.
Because monthly income isn’t just for landlords—it’s for investors, too.