Founded more than 50 years ago by Milton Cooper and Marty Kimmel, Kimco Realty (KIM) is the largest shopping center REIT in the United States. With a current market capitalization of $7.9 billion, Kimco operates 926 properties in 44 states, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile and Puerto Rico.

Last November Kimco celebrated its 20th anniversary as a public company and since its founding in 1958, the retail REIT has evolved into a diversely risk-aligned investment platform. Kimco has a well-balanced tenant portfolio that includes many leading retailers such as Home Depot, TJ Maxx, Wal-Mart, Kohl's, PetSmart and Costco.

Kimco's second quarter results were punctuated by impressive mid-year metrics including company gross occupancy (in the combined portfolio) of 93.5 percent and revised full-year guidance of $138.0 million, or 34 cents per share, up from $126.0 million, or 31 cents per share, earned in the year-ago period.

Kimco's occupancy levels are at the best the company has seen since 2008 and these improvements are driven, in part, by higher net absorption and its trade-up to higher-quality, better-occupied properties.

Kimco's recent stock price was $20.07 per share and the company hit its 52-week high today. The current dividend yield is 3.79 percent and the company's year-to-date total return is 21.24 percent.

SEE: Kimco Realty: An Interview With The Admiral Of A Battleship Tested Shopping Center REIT