- Monthly dividend stocks can provide recurring income, but investors should look beyond the payment schedule and examine dividend growth, coverage, valuation, and the businesses supporting each payout.
Monthly dividend stocks have become a popular option for investors looking to create recurring portfolio income. Unlike the quarterly schedule used by most US companies, these stocks distribute cash every month, which can make them useful for investors managing regular expenses or reinvesting dividends.
But the monthly payment itself does not make a stock a strong income investment. Current market data shows that monthly payers span a wide range of yields and business models, from REITs to business development companies. Some of the highest-yielding names also carry substantially greater risks.
Here are five widely followed monthly dividend stocks to research in September 2026.
5 Monthly Dividend Stocks To Watch In 2026
1. Realty Income Corp. (NYSE: O)
Realty Income remains one of the best-known monthly dividend stocks. The company, which brands itself as “The Monthly Dividend Company,” has declared hundreds of consecutive monthly dividends and has continued to increase its payout over time.
Realty Income's latest monthly dividend is $0.2715 per share, according to the company's latest dividend announcements. Its portfolio includes more than 15,500 properties across the US, the UK, and Europe.
At a recent share price around $55.54, the annualized payout produces a yield of roughly 5.9%.
The company's scale and diversified property portfolio are important considerations for investors evaluating the stock. Its primary risk remains the sensitivity of REIT valuations and financing costs to interest rates, along with tenant and property-level risks.
2. Main Street Capital Corp. (NYSE: MAIN)
Main Street Capital offers a different route to monthly income. The company, which operates as a business development company, provides financing and investment capital to lower-middle-market businesses.
Main Street currently pays a regular monthly dividend of $0.265 per share, according to its investor information. It has also historically declared supplemental dividends, although investors should distinguish those additional payments from the recurring monthly distribution.
The regular dividend translates to approximately $3.18 per share annually. With the stock trading around $55, the regular payout produces a yield near 5.7%. The BDC structure gives MAIN a different earnings profile from the REITs on this list. Its results are tied to investment income, credit performance, and the broader health of its portfolio companies.
3. Agree Realty Corp. (NYSE: ADC)
Agree Realty is a net-lease REIT focused primarily on retail properties. The company owns thousands of properties leased to retailers across the US. Agree currently pays a monthly dividend of approximately $0.267 per share. At a recent share price near $67.49, the stock's dividend yield was about 4.7%.
That yield is lower than several other monthly payers, but the company has continued to increase its distribution. Its portfolio and tenant mix are therefore important when comparing ADC with higher-yielding alternatives.
Investors can also compare dividend-paying real estate with other long-term assets in Wealthier Today's guide to Best Long-Term Investments for 2026.
4. EPR Properties (NYSE: EPR)
EPR Properties provides another monthly-income option, but its portfolio is more specialized. The REIT focuses on experiential real estate, including entertainment, recreation, and leisure properties. EPR's monthly dividend is $0.31 per share, equivalent to $3.72 annually. At a recent share price around $56.82, the yield was approximately 6.4%.
The higher yield comes with a different risk profile. EPR's properties depend heavily on consumer spending and the operating performance of experiential tenants. That became particularly visible during the pandemic, when the company suspended its dividend before eventually restoring monthly payments.
5. Apple Hospitality REIT Inc. (NYSE: APLE)
Apple Hospitality REIT provides exposure to the hotel sector through a portfolio of hotels operating under major hospitality brands. The company pays a monthly distribution of $0.08 per share, or $0.96 annually. At a recent price around $16.20, that works out to a yield of approximately 5.9%.
APLE's business model differs significantly from the long-term leases used by many retail REITs. Hotel revenue can fluctuate with occupancy, room rates, business travel, and consumer demand. That makes APLE particularly relevant for investors comparing different sources of passive income.
What Investors Should Know Before Buying Monthly Dividend Stocks
The biggest mistake when evaluating monthly dividend stocks is focusing exclusively on yield. Current screens show dozens of securities paying monthly dividends, with yields ranging from relatively modest levels to double-digit percentages. A high yield can sometimes reflect elevated business, balance-sheet, or dividend-cut risk rather than a stronger investment opportunity.
The five companies above demonstrate why the underlying business deserves attention. Realty Income and Agree Realty are diversified net-lease REITs. EPR specializes in experiential properties. Apple Hospitality is exposed to hotels, while Main Street Capital operates as a BDC.
Investors should also consider how the dividend is covered. REIT investors commonly examine funds from operations and adjusted funds from operations, while BDC investors pay close attention to net investment income and portfolio credit quality.
Tax treatment is another consideration. REIT distributions can receive different tax treatment from ordinary corporate dividends, depending on the investor's circumstances. The IRS provides guidance on the qualified business income deduction, including rules affecting qualifying REIT dividends.
For investors building a diversified portfolio, monthly dividend stocks can be considered alongside index funds, bonds, and other assets rather than viewed as a standalone strategy. Wealthier Today's investing guide covers different approaches to building a portfolio, while its guide on how to build wealth from scratch examines how stocks and other assets can fit into a longer-term wealth-building strategy.