Southern Company (NYSE: SO) - At Friday's closing price of $37.79, paying a 4.4% yield, I know of few other companies that have been so consistent in growing and paying dividends over the last three decades. The Southern Company is in the heart of the southeast zone that has seen the most growth from the rust belt States migration. Foreign expansion due to good weather and cheaper housing and labor costs also contributed to higher growth than the western states.

Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) - Most Buffett followers know that he is a large shareholder of WFC and that this bank is one of the more conservative-run ones, having only suffered very modest write-downs. At Friday's closing price of $29.36 and paying a 4.63% yield it is probably one of the safest bets in the financial sector and is on sale now. Chasing Value: Wells Fargo may look like a steal in 12 months

Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL) - Having more than 15,350 MW of primarily fossil-fueled generating capacity and 34,500 miles of natural gas pipelines, this is a utility, an energy play and a distribution play. In 2008, Xcel also announced that it would develop solar generated power plants in Colorado as part of its green energy initiative. At Friday's closing price of $20.66, paying a 4.6% yield, this $9 billion company could also be a takeover target for the same reason you or I might want to pick up a few shares. Serious Money: Five stable stocks for troubled times

No doubt, there are many more stocks you may find that meet similar criteria for high yield and appreciation over the long term, but this reasonably balanced group includes financials and pharmaceuticals that have been down, utilities that have been stable, and infrastructure plays that have long term value. There is inclusion of one Canadian company, one British and one Chinese, and given the overall list I think there is warranted exposure to foreign markets, which is a must in our global economy.

On Friday August 22, 2008, the S & P 500 was 1292.20 at the end of trading. The average yield for a 5-year CD in the United States rose 1 basis point to 4.25% on Friday, according to Bankrate.com's daily Your Best Interest report. I will check how these ten stocks are doing in six months to see if they stay ahead of the index and the CD returns as well.

Reader ideas and comments are always encouraged.

Sheldon Liber is the CEO of a small private investment company and the principal for design and research at an architecture & planning firm. He writes the columns Chasing Value and Serious Money. DISCLOSURE: I currently own shares of PDR, SO & WFC.