Third-quarter earnings were announced today by Realty Income (O -0.30%), an equity real estate investment trust. While the stock is down slightly due to normalized funds from operations per share coming in a penny shy of estimates, quarterly performance was fine overall, with revenue climbing 13%. 

For dividend investors unfamiliar with Realty Income, this company may be worth a closer look. While it doesn't boast the double-digit yields of big-time mortgage REITs, like Annaly Capital (NLY -0.26%) and American Capital Agency (AGNC -0.38%), Realty Income refers to itself as "The Monthly Dividend Company" and has actually earned the name.

September marked the company's 60th consecutive quarterly dividend increase, with a total of 68 increases since its 1994 IPO. Through September 2012, Realty Income had paid out a staggering 506 consecutive monthly dividends, truly delivering on its claim-to-fame name. For the full story on "The Monthly Dividend Company," be sure to check out the video below.