If you want to earn a good return in the markets without taking on too much risk, you may want to consider loading up on dividend stocks. These investments are typically underpinned by companies with strong financials. And they can provide you with not only long-term stability but also some recurring income over the years.

Three stocks that pay you more than the S&P 500 average yield of 1.5% and are relatively safe investments for the long haul are Southern Company (NYSE: SO), Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO), and Bank of America (NYSE: BAC).

A utility business often makes a great income-generating investment. The ongoing need for heating and power makes it a relatively resilient type of business to invest in. There's good recurring revenue to rely on, and while there may be fluctuations -- due to weather, for example -- the overall financial performance should be relatively stable.

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Source Fool.com