Real estate investment trust (REIT) Realty Income (NYSE: O) is a bellwether in one of the most resilient niches of the commercial real estate industry. Investors have long given it a premium price because of its impressive dividend-paying history, including monthly dividend payments and almost 28 consecutive years of annual hikes. The REIT’s strong history backs up the stock market view here, but here’s why Realty Income’s prospects do, too.