Most Americans aren't familiar with Realty Income (NYSE: O), but nearly all of us have spent money inside one of its buildings. This real estate investment trust (REIT) leases commercial property to Walmart, Costco, Dollar General, Walgreens Boots Alliance, and .

With more than 15,000 commercial properties in its portfolio, Realty Income is the world's largest net lease REIT with publicly traded shares. Those shares have been beaten down about 12% from a peak in January, and they're down 34% from the all-time high they reached nearly four years ago.

In its depressed state, Realty Income stock offers an eyebrow-raising 5.9% dividend yield. Here's why there's a good chance that investors who buy it now will see their payouts rise steadily for many years to come.

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Source Fool.com