MetaCap

Digital Realty (DLR) vs Realty Income (O)

Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.

Summary

Digital Realty (DLR) has outperformed Realty Income (O) over the past year, gaining 3.0% versus a loss of 10.5%. Over five years, DLR leads with a +22.3% price change compared with -21.0% for O. Digital Realty is the larger company by market cap ($68.16 billion vs $50.48 billion), about 1.4 times the size.

On valuation, Realty Income trades at a lower forward P/E (34.4x vs 65.3x for Digital Realty). Realty Income offers the higher dividend yield (6.06% vs 2.70%). Digital Realty converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 21.4% versus 18.4%.

Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology

Relative performance

DLR+3.04%O-10.53%
+18%+0%-17%
Oct 7, 20251 yearOct 7, 2026
DLR+28.30%O-18.07%
+49%+4%-40%
Oct 4, 20215 yearsOct 5, 2026

Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.

Head-to-head

DLR versus O key metrics
MetricDLRO
Share price$180.47$53.35
Market cap$68.16B$50.48B
1-day change-2.26%-1.66%
YTD return+16.65%-5.36%
1-year return+3.04%-10.53%
5-year return+22.32%-20.96%
P/E ratio (TTM)87.6138.66
Forward P/E65.3434.35
EPS (TTM)$2.06$1.38
Dividend yield2.70%6.06%
Annual dividend$4.88$3.24
Revenue (latest FY)$6.11B$5.75B
Revenue growth (YoY)+10.04%+9.07%
Net income (latest FY)$1.31B$1.06B
Operating margin10.77%—
Net margin21.41%18.41%
52-week high$208.14$67.94
52-week low$146.23$53.32
Distance from 52-week high-13.29%-21.47%
Analyst consensusstrong_buyhold
Avg. price target upside+23.81%+24.44%
Average volume2.29M6.48M
Shares outstanding371.00M946.22M
Employees4,282544
SectorReal EstateReal Estate
IndustryReal Estate Investment TrustsReal Estate Investment Trusts

Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.

Key differences

  • DLR has outperformed O by 13.6 percentage points over the past year.
  • Digital Realty trades at a higher earnings multiple (87.6x vs 38.7x trailing P/E).
  • Realty Income offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (6.06% vs 2.70%).

About Digital Realty

DLR stock →

Digital Realty Trust, Inc. brings companies and data together by delivering the full spectrum of data center, colocation, and interconnection solutions.

Real Estate · Real Estate Investment Trusts · 4,282 employees

About Realty Income

O stock →

Realty Income Corporation, an S&P 500 company, is real estate partner to the world's leading companies. Founded in 1969, we serve our clients as a full-service real estate capital provider.

Real Estate · Real Estate Investment Trusts · 544 employees

DLR vs O FAQ

Which is bigger, Digital Realty or Realty Income?

Digital Realty (DLR) is larger, with a market capitalization of $68.16B compared with $50.48B for Realty Income (O).

Which stock has performed better over the past year, DLR or O?

DLR returned +3.04% over the past 12 months, compared with -10.53% for O (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.

Which has the lower P/E ratio, DLR or O?

O has the lower trailing P/E at 38.7, versus 87.6 for DLR. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.

Which pays a higher dividend, Digital Realty or Realty Income?

Realty Income has the higher yield at 6.06%, compared with 2.70% for Digital Realty.

Are Digital Realty and Realty Income in the same industry?

Yes. Both are classified in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry within the Real Estate sector.

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