Dividends from (FE) (AEP) (DUK) (PGN) (XLU)

A quick look at dividends from FirstEnergy Corporation (NYSE: FE), American Electric Power Co., Inc. (NYSE: AEP), Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE: DUK), Progress Energy, Inc. (NYSE: PGN); all American utility companies.

Dividends continue to attact investors in an ongoing volatile and unpredictable market. Among companies offering dividends, utility companies have been among the sectors offering significant and predictable dividends over the years, no matter what type of business cycle that is occurring at the time.

The "boring" utility sector has actually been plodding along nicely, as many have been quietly hitting 52-week highs. That of course makes them a little more expensive to get into, but a small price to pay for income and peace of mind for certain types of investors.

American Electric Power Co., Inc. (AEP) offers a dividend of 5 percent at this time. For those thinking of getting into it for that purpose, keep in mind it may not rasie their dividend any time soon, as it recently raised its dividend after having it sit there from November 2007 to February 2010. Expectations are the next dividend boost will bring it to $0.47 or $0.48 a quarter, up from the current $0.46 a quarter.

Duke Energy Corporation (DUK) hasn't attracted investors much since it spun of Spectra, but they pay out about a 5.2 percent yield. They are in the midst of merging with Progress Energy, Inc. (PGN), which itself carries a yield of almost 5.2 percent. The current payout of $0.245 is expected to be bossted sometime soon, although that's not a certainty.

FirstEnergy Corporation (FE) pays out about 5.3 percent in dividend yields, even as it hit a 52-week high of $41.77 recently. It's unlikely FirstEnergy will add to its dividend in a big way soon, but as it is it offers a decent return for those looking for income and safety. What's attractive about FE is it's far below its pre-recession share price high, which makes it a potential growth story as well.

For those seeking less exposure to individual stocks while looking for dividend income, the Utilities Select Sector SPDR (XLU) ETF could be up your alley. It has also recently hit a 52-week high, and offers an approximate return of 4.0 percent.