Analyst upgrades:

• UBS upgraded Salesforce.com (CRM) to Buy from Neutral based on positive feedback on the Chatter product and increasing confidence the company can beat FY11 guidance. The firm raised its price target to $111 from $90.
• Leerink upgraded Vivus (VVUS) to Outperform from Market Perform. The firm believes Qnexa issues raised by the FDA are labeling and marketing issues, and not approval issues. The firm expects a positive panel vote for Qnexa.
• Goldman upgraded AK Steel (AKS) to Buy from Netural citing lower iron ore prices. The firm has a $17 price target on the stock.
• Kinder Morgan Energy (KMP) was upgraded to Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley.
• Shire (SHPGY) was upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Credit Suisse.
• Canadian National (CNI) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Raymond James.

"There will be short term anomalies in oil prices; but long term, the world's appetite will increase as supply decreases," says resources expert Curtis Hesler.

The editor of The Professional Timing Service explains, "There is an acceleration phase coming in these markets that will be suddenly set off by a surprise incident. The time to invest for that eventuality is during market weakness when fear is the ruling emotion.

"My favorite major is Apache Corp. (APA). The stock is trading under our downside buy price of $95, and there should be some support at $80. If you are going to own a major oil producer, Apache is the one.

This post is part of a special report, Top Picks for 2010, the 27th annual survey in which TheStockAdvisors.com asks the nation's leading advisors for their single favorite stock for the new year. See all 80 stocks listed here.

For her top pick for 2010, income specialist Amy Calistri looks to Kinder Morgan Energy Partners (KMP).

The editor of The Daily Paycheck explains, "I always look for the gift that keeps on giving; that's how I view this master limited partnership, which produces a steady stream of income each and every quarter."

Many said that today was based on solid economic data, but the markets were already pointed handily north. Today was about traders putting the risk trade back on by buying stocks and buying commodities. Dubai's explosive consequences seem to be mitigated, but that will be determined in time.

Here were the unofficial closing bell levels today:

Dow 10,471.58 +126.74 (1.23%)
S&P 500 1,108.86 +13.23 (1.21%)
Nasdaq 2,175.81 +31.21 (1.46%)

Top Day Trader Alerts
Top 10 Analyst Calls
Top Stock Rumors

Analyst upgrades:

• Canaccord upgraded Imperial Oil (NYSE: IMO) to Buy from Speculative Buy following an increase in crude oil forecast.
• BT Group (NYSE: BT) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Bernstein.
  
• Novartis (NYSE: NVS) was upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at JP Morgan.
  
• CommVault (NASDAQ: CVLT) was upgraded to Neutral from Sell at Goldman.
  
• AvalonBay (NYSE: AVB) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Sandler O'Neill.

The following list of solid dividend payers are not likely to get anyone excited about future growth prospects like some small cap tech company with a hot IPO, but in these uncertain times being able to diversify into a reliable dividend paying stock might work while you ride out the economic storm.

Bank money market accounts, CD's and treasuries are not all that compelling right now. While it is wise to keep some cash handy in these places, you need not put all your resources there.

Earlier today my colleague Steven Halpern posted a story on the safest dividend payer in the DJIA and
Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) paying 6.1% was his conclusion. I recently posted about this stock pointing out the benefits of the communications companies, see: Chasing Value: AT&T and VZ, high yield plus safety

It is to be expected that a utility would show up on the list, given the strong recurring revenue and cash-flow and
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) paying 6.39% is that company. I have written many positive posts about Duke and my view has not changed.