The utility sectors offers generally high dividend yields with value. The negative point is that the sector is very capital intensive and the growth potential is limited. However, I wanted to know what stocks are the best dividend stock buy picks for the next year. I screened all 123 listed utility stocks by the best ones for next year. My criteria are:

- Forward P/E under 15

- Past Sales growth recent 10 years over 5 percent

- Positive Earnings per share growth for the next five years

- Operating Margin over 10 percent

Twelve companies fulfilled the above mentioned criteria. Eight of them have a buy or better rating. The mostly represented industry is the eclectic utility industry. I personally don’t own any utility stocks because I am a dividend growth investor. I always look for growing companies with strong brands and high abilities to expand aboard. Utilities don’t fulfill these criteria. So my main focus will be on the consumer sector.

Here is a current dividend list (from low-yield to high-yield paying stocks) of stocks with interesting performance and valuation figures. Stocks from that list are mid- and large caps (market capitalization of more than USD 1 billion) with double digit long-term earnings growth rates. The companies are traded at AMEX, NYSE, NASDAQ and part of the Dow Jones, S&P 500 as well as Nasdaq Composite.