For a dividend investor, there is not much worse than a stock that cuts or eliminates its dividend. Suddenly, the reason you purchased the stock no longer exists. Many dividend investors, myself included, have a hard and fast rule to immediately sell any stock held as income investment if it cuts its dividend. However, when a company freezes its dividend at the current rate, the decision is not as clear-cut. At this point you must look at alternative investments, along with the company's current yield and future outlook.

Here are a few select companies that have avoided a December freeze by increasing the cash dividends paid to their shareholders:

Edison International (NYSE:EIX) generates electricity through hydroelectric, diesel, natural gas, nuclear and photovoltaic sources. On December 10  the company increased its quarterly dividend 14% to $0.48 per share. The dividend is payable January 31, 2016 to stockholders of record on December 31, 2015, with an ex-dividend date of December 29, 2015. The yield based on the new payout is 3.3%.

Universal Health Realty Income Trust (NYSE:UHT) invests in health care and human service related facilities, including acute care hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, sub-acute facilities, surgery centers, free-standing emergency departments, among others. December 10th the company increased its quarterly dividend 0.8% to $0.645 per share. The dividend is payable December 31, 2015 to stockholders of record on December 21, 2015, with an ex-dividend date of December 17, 2015. The yield based on the new payout is 5.1%.

One Liberty Properties, Inc. (NYSE:OLP), a real estate investment trust (REIT), engages in the acquisition, ownership, and management of commercial real estate properties in the United States. On December 10 the company increased its quarterly dividend 5.1% to $0.41 per share. The dividend is payable January 5, 2016 to stockholders of record on December 23, 2015, with an ex-dividend date of December 21, 2015. The yield based on the new payout is 7.6%.