Based on the aggregated intelligence of 180,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, electric utility giant Southern (NYSE: SO) has earned a coveted five-star ranking.

With that in mind, let's take a closer look at Southern's business and see what CAPS investors are saying about the stock right now.

Southern facts

Headquarters (founded) Atlanta (1945)
Market Cap $38.6 billion
Industry Electric utilities
Trailing-12-Month Revenue $17.7 billion
Management Chairman/CEO Thomas Fanning (since 2010)
CFO Arthur Beattie (since 2010)
Return on Equity (average, past 3 years) 11.7%
Cash/Debt $1.3 billion / $21.3 billion
Dividend Yield 4.3%
Competitors CenterPoint Energy
Entergy
NextEra Energy

Sources: S&P Capital IQ and Motley Fool CAPS.

On CAPS, 95% of the 1,068 members who have rated Southern believe the stock will outperform the S&P 500 going forward.

Earlier this month, one of those Fools, tayoub22, tapped the stock as a solid long-term income opportunity:

I started investing in [Southern] stock in 1976. Throughout the years Southern has performed admirably in terms of increased dividends, value and growth. From some of [Southern] dividends I had purchased other stocks that added healthy growth to my portfolio. ... No wonder [Southern] is given a five-star rating by [Motley Fool CAPS].

Of course, despite its strong five-star rating, Southern may not be your top choice. If that's the case, we've compiled a special free report for investors called "Secure Your Future With 9 Rock-Solid Dividend Stocks," which uncovers several other juicy income opportunities. The report is 100% free, but it won't be around forever, so click here to access it now.

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