Utility stocks weren’t the best investment in 2023. Despite reporting decent earnings and offering solid dividend increases, the utility sector lost about 10% last year compared to a 26% gain in the S&P 500. In fact, if it wasn’t for dividends, utilities would have gone nowhere for the past two years. The payouts were the sector’s saving grace, underscoring why income investors repeatedly turn to these stocks. Dividends are why utilities have long been considered widows-and-orphans investments. You can alwa ...