Top-Rated Utility Stocks

Whether they're located in Brazil, Europe, Asia, or somewhere in the good ol' US of A, utility companies perform a similar function -- delivering necessary water and power to our homes and workplaces. These stocks have traditionally been steady dividend payers and favorites during bear markets, but not all utility stocks are created equal.

With that in mind, we'll use the aggregate intelligence of the 105,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS to find utility stocks that the community likes -- those with four- and five-star ratings. The community's approval could be a sign that further research is in order.

Here are five such stocks:

Source: Motley Fool CAPS as of June 11, 2008.

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