The stock market is a relentless party, with the DJ spinning all-time highs for major indexes. Meanwhile, a few worthy investments sit on the sidelines, seemingly invisible to most investors. They're like the introverts at a raging dance party—quiet, unassuming, but full of potential if you just bother to notice them.
Today, we’re looking at two such wallflowers: W.P. Carey (NYSE: WPC) and Royalty Pharma (NASDAQ: RPRX). These dividend-paying champs are hanging around their 52-week lows, despite offering high yields, steady growth potential, and enough stability to make even the most risk-averse investor breathe easy. Let’s dive in before the market wises up and steals your chance to snag these gems at a discount.
1. W.P. Carey: The REIT That’s Cleaning Up Its Act
From Highs to Lows
W.P. Carey’s stock has taken a tumble, trading 35% below its 2022 peak. What’s the culprit? In late 2023, the company spun off 59 office properties into a separate entity—Net Lease Office Properties—because, frankly, who wants to deal with office real estate right now? (Spoiler: Nobody.) Post-spin-off, W.P. Carey adjusted its dividend, and the market reacted like a toddler denied candy—selling off without stopping to consider the upside.
Why It’s Actually a Bargain
Now that W.P. Carey has offloaded its problem child, the company is leaner, meaner, and much more appealing. Here are a few highlights:
- Occupancy Rate: A stunning 98.8% of its properties are occupied, which is the kind of stability REIT investors dream about.
- Diverse Portfolio: This isn’t some one-trick pony. W.P. Carey owns 1,430 single-tenant buildings spread across North America and Europe, with tenants from various industries. Its largest tenant accounts for just 2.7% of its rent—a far cry from being overly dependent on any one company.
- Dividend Dependability: Before the spin-off, W.P. Carey had raised its dividend for 24 consecutive years. Since then, it’s already bumped the payout three more times. This is the dividend equivalent of someone apologizing for a misstep by handing you free dessert.
The Numbers Don't Lie
Management projects adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) of $4.65 to $4.71 per share for 2023. Meanwhile, the annual dividend obligation stands at just $3.50 per share. Translation: W.P. Carey isn’t just covering its dividend—it’s swimming in cash.
Looking ahead, the REIT’s rent escalators and geographic diversification make it a steady income machine. Sure, it’s not going to double your money overnight, but if you’re looking for stability, this is a “set it and forget it” kind of investment.
2. Royalty Pharma: The Passive Income Sweetheart of Biotech
A Business Model Built for Lazy Genius Investors
If the idea of picking biotech stocks makes your head spin, Royalty Pharma is here to save you. Instead of gambling on individual drug launches (because let’s be honest, that’s basically what it is), Royalty Pharma lends money to pharmaceutical companies and takes a royalty stake in their sales. It’s like being the bank, but instead of mortgage payments, you’re collecting cash from blockbuster drugs.
Why the Stock is Down
Despite its robust business model, Royalty Pharma’s stock has been stuck in a rut, trading near its 52-week low. Why? Investors can’t seem to wrap their heads around a company that doesn’t churn out new products. It’s a passive income generator in a world obsessed with shiny new things.
Why You Should Buy Anyway
Here’s why Royalty Pharma deserves a spot in your portfolio:
- A Portfolio of Winners: This company holds royalty stakes in 15 blockbuster drugs that each rake in over $1 billion in annual sales. Yes, you read that right—billion, with a “b.”
- Dividend Growth: Since going public in 2020, Royalty Pharma has increased its dividend four times, amounting to a 40% bump. At its current 3.2% yield, this stock is already attractive, but the potential for future growth makes it a no-brainer.
- Big Deals, Bigger Payoffs: Since 2022, Royalty Pharma has made $10.1 billion in new deals, and many of those investments haven’t even begun generating royalties yet.
The Long Game is Strong
The biotech world is hungry for cash, with small drugmakers needing over $1 trillion in funding over the next decade. As the industry’s largest provider of royalty financing, Royalty Pharma gets to cherry-pick the most promising projects. It’s like being at an all-you-can-eat buffet where only the filet mignon makes it to your plate.
The bottom line? Royalty Pharma is a perfect “buy it and forget about it” stock for anyone looking to cash in on the ever-growing healthcare sector without rolling the dice on individual companies.
Why You’ll Regret Ignoring These Stocks
Let’s face it: The stock market is fickle, and it loves to ignore good companies for the dumbest reasons. W.P. Carey and Royalty Pharma have both been unfairly beaten down, but their fundamentals remain rock solid. Here’s why passing on them could leave you kicking yourself later:
- Dividend Yields Are Hard to Beat: In a world where savings accounts still offer laughable interest rates, W.P. Carey’s 6.2% yield and Royalty Pharma’s 3.2% yield are downright luxurious.
- Future-Proof Business Models: Whether it’s real estate that practically rents itself or drug royalties that will continue flowing for decades, these companies are built to weather economic storms.
- Undervalued Opportunities: With both stocks trading near their 52-week lows, you’re getting in on the ground floor of potential long-term growth.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Overthink It
Sometimes, the best investments are the simplest ones. You don’t need to master REIT analysis or memorize the latest trends in biotech to see that W.P. Carey and Royalty Pharma are screaming buys right now.
So, what’s it going to be? Are you going to sit on the sidelines while these dividend payers rebound, or are you going to swoop in and snag them while they’re still wearing their discounted price tags? The clock’s ticking, and these wallflowers won’t stay unnoticed forever.
