CSX, NS among Dividend Channel's top 25 'socially responsible' stocks

Norfolk Southern Corp. and CSX Corp. are listed among the "Top 25 Socially Responsible Dividend Stocks" in a recent ranking by the Dividend Channel.

The ranking means the Class Is are recognized by prominent asset managers as being a "socially responsible investment" through an analysis of various social and environmental criteria, according to the Dividend Channel.

Environmental criteria includes the environmental impact of a company's products and services, as well as its efficiency in using energy and resources. Social criteria include human rights, child labor, corporate diversity and impacts on society, such as business activities tied to weapons, gambling, tobacco and alcohol.

The top 25 list also includes United Parcel Service, Target Corp., Apple Inc, IBM, Kimberly-Clark Corp. and Microsoft Corp.