It's important for income investors to realize that just like the rest of the stock market, there is a broad spectrum of risk and stability when it comes to dividend stocks. Some high-yielding dividend stocks could have struggling businesses and unstable income, so it's important to focus on companies that have resilient and sustainable income streams, especially with most experts calling for a recession in the not-too-distant future.

Three companies in particular whose businesses (and dividends) should hold up quite well no matter what the stock market or U.S. economy does are Realty Income Corporation (NYSE: O), Public Storage (NYSE: PSA), and Easterly Government Properties (NYSE: DEA).

The words "retail" and "recession" don't typically work well together, but Realty Income isn't the typical retail stock. If you aren't familiar, Realty Income is a net-lease real estate investment trust, or REIT, with more than 12,400 properties. About 80% of its rental income comes from retail tenants.

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Source Fool.com