Realty Income Corporation (NYSE:O) stands out among its peers. To begin with, it holds an extensive portfolio of more than 15,600 properties. Its assets are spread across both North America and Europe, offering solid geographic diversification. Financially, it maintains a strong position, backed by an investment-grade credit rating. Taken together, these strengths give this large net lease REIT a competitive edge when it comes to accessing capital, pursuing various growth opportunities, and executing large-scale transactions—even acquisitions that might be out of reach for its smaller rivals. The stock has surged by nearly 9% since the start of 2025.