A case can be made for most of the major regulated utilities. Con Edison is low-risk because it is involved mostly in the transmission and distribution of electricity and gas. It is largely out of the power-generation business, and is allowed to pass on changes in purchased-power costs to its New York customers. It yields nearly 6%.

Strong dividends

Solid utility

Nice dividend

dividends

On the other hand, my long-suffering utility plays -- I like Dominion Resources (D), Con Ed (ED) and, most important, Exelon (EXC) -- have finally caught a bid, and this implies that rates may indeed be topping out.

"I like it. I like the 6% yield. It's not too exciting but it's a good company." ("Mad Money Lightning Round," 6-8-09)

Good steady ever increasing dividends,

"ConEd has no exposure to cap and trade, so it's good to go." ("Mad Money Lightning Round," 5-15-09)

dividend

dividend apt to drop

lights out

Weak fundamentals and technicals.