This post is part of Japan: A Special Report for Investors.

"Japan continues to reel from the aftershock of the magnitude 8.9 earthquake and subsequent tsunamis; among the hardest hit is the nuclear industry, which supplies 30 percent of the country's electricity" notes utility sector expert Roger Conrad.

The editor of The Utility Forecaster explains, "There's still a lot we don't know about the crisis. We've seen a massive selloff of in all things nuclear.In my view, this drop will be reversed as the situation calms down.

The Southern Co.'s (SO) shares have meandered near $38 since November, and if you haven't already, now may be a good time to consider taking some profits off the table, if you're in at the June 19, 2009, price of $30.61, and if SO's dividend is not a primary goal for you.

However, those who are seeking a decent dividend can maintain their full position in SO: a $1.82 annual dividend, good for a 4.9% yield at the current $36.60 share price, offers a modest income stream.

Longer-term, two to three years out, SO, with its 42.9 million megawatts of generating capacity, is likely to be a decent utility sector performer, and the reason is its Atlanta-area operations.

The Southern Company's (SO) shares have meandered in the past three months -- running into resistance at $40, and now may be a good time to take some profits off the table, if you're in at the June 19, 2009, price of $30.61, and if SO's dividend is not a primary concern for you.

However, those who are seeking a decent dividend can maintain their full position in SO: a $1.82 annual dividend, good for a 4.77% yield at the current $38.32 share price offers an impressive income stream, along with SO's modest growth.

"Over the past decade, Southern Company (SO) has generated a compound annual return of nearly 12 percent," says utility sector expert Roger Conrad.

The editor of The Utility Forecaster explains, "The recent approval of the company's three-year rate hike in Georgia -- source of nearly half its revenue -- is the best possible assurance of a similarly enriching performance for the next 10 years.

"The Georgia Public Service Commission approved 70, 93 and 87 percent of the requested increases for 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively, as well as a superior 11.15 percent target return on equity.

"Rising demand for electricity has been among the surest trends on which you could bet for the past 100 years;" says utility sector and income expert Roger Conrad.

The contributing editor to Personal Finance explains, "That's money in the bank for the companies that produce and distribute power, including these three Income Portfolio power plays: Dominion Resources (D), Southern Company (SO), and Xcel Energy (XEL).

"After a dip in 2008-09, Americans' power use is climbing again, as more and more electricity-using devices become essential to modern life.

Looking for a sleep-well-at-night stock that will offer safety with modest growth? Then consider utility The Southern Co. (SO), first discussed here on June 19, 2009, at a price of $30.61.

Southern's business model isn't sexy, but it will likely benefit your savings account. SO is likely to be top utility sector performer, and the reason is its Atlanta-area operations.