Stability is at the top of the list of traits investors look for in dividend stocks, regardless of the sector or industry. The go-to dividend plays of long-term buy-and-hold strategists are not flashy companies or those in red-hot industries, but rather "boring" firms with a proven track record of consistency, even in difficult markets or economic climates.
That's not to say, though, that there aren't often-overlooked names that may fit this bill.
