Dusty Dividend Stocks: Replace Consolidated Edison With ONEOK

In the "Dividend Alternatives" series, I suggest replacements for the stodgy old dividend stocks investors may have collecting dust in their portfolios. Today, I take aim at Consolidated Edison (ED). Consolidated Edison has been providing utilities to New Yorkers for more than 180 years. The company has increased its dividend every year since 1974, making it a Dividend Aristocrat and somewhat of a darling among income investors. Unfortunately, Consolidated Edison's celebrated tradition of issuing dividend hikes has one major flaw: The increases are miniscule! The company has raised its dividend rate by a total of just 9.17% since 2000, and shareholders haven't seen a raise of more than 3% since 1994.... Read more