The TradeKing blog posted a nice review by Dominic Basulto of the May 2007 cover story of Kiplinger's Personal Finance. that pointed out some old tried and true investment strategies that are still the best way to build financial wealth over time.

While these strategies are nothing new, they should be reaffirmed from time to time.

Kiplinger's suggests that you consider the following when looking to consistently build your investment value over time:

1.) Get involved in a sector which has been underperforming for a considerable period of time and is showing strong signs of picking up. Consider Warren Buffett's railroads play. Could he be on to something?

2.) Keep a look out for "breakout technologies". I suggest keeping a close watch on solar and artificial intelligence plays as well as RFID. Basulto suggests telecom and biotech.

3.) Higher risk generally provides higher returns. Do ya think? Play the volatility game. This requires nerves of steel and a lightening hand but if you're good, the returns can be immense. It's like betting on the horse that's straining at the gate and sweating before the run. Either that pony will run uncontested or it'll spin circles in the first length. Volatility plays best if you're a heavy duty behind the scenes researcher.

4.) Look for fundamentally strong companies which have floundered under poor management and then wait for a management change. I have watched several people successfully work this angle.

The Kiplinger article seeks to provide insight into the strategies for compounding your money over various time frames. The information provided is valuable and time tested but Kiplinger's makes clear that they suggest a longer time table shall provide you with greater investment security.

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Level 3 Communications Inc (LVLT) and General Motors Corp (GM) were today's notable upgrades:

• Deutsche Bank raised Level 3 Communications Inc (NASDAQ: LVLT) to Hold from Sell with a $5.40 target based on the belief the company will meet 2007 expectations.

• General Motors Corp (NYSE: GM) was upgraded at Merrill Lynch to Buy from Sell based on increased confidence the company will leverage its liquidity and legacy assets, specifically its pension, to drive positive changes.

OTHER UPGRADES:

• MasterCard inc (NYSE: MA) was upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at JP Morgan on valuation.

• Prudential upgraded Brinker Int'l Inc (NYSE: EAT) to Overweight from Neutral.

• Following the company's strong Q4 report, Piper Jaffray upgraded shares of Shanda Interactive Entertainment Ltd ADS (NASDAQ: SNDA) to Outperform from Market Perform with a $29 target, citing improved fundamentals and increased confidence in the come-stay-play model, among other reasons.

• Dover Downs Gaming & Entertainment (NYSE: DDE) moved to Hold from Sell at Stifel Nicolaus, citing valuation.

• Prudential raised HealthNet Inc (NYSE: HNT) to Neutral from Underweight, with a $52 target.

• 3M Company (NYSE: MMM) was raised to Buy from Hold with an $86 target at Soleil Securities following last nights $7B buyback announcement, which the firm believes will act as a positive catalyst.

• Bear Stearns upgraded Applebee's Int'l Inc (NASDAQ: APPB) to Peer Perform from Underperform following the company's announcement that it hired a financial adviser to explore strategic alternatives.

• Credit Suisse upgraded Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE: BBW) to Outperform from Neutral, with a $37 target.

Analyst summaries provided by TheFlyOnTheWall.com (subscription required).