Realty Income backs its durable real estate portfolio with a fortress-like balance sheet. That gives it the financial flexibility to continue acquiring income-producing real estate. The REIT estimates that rent growth and new acquisitions will increase its adjusted funds from operations ( FFO ) per share by 4% to 5% per year. Add in its high-yielding and steadily rising dividend, and Realty Income could produce an average total return of around 10% annually in the years ahead.