"National Grid (NGG), an electricity and natural gas transmission and distribution utility, is a low-risk, income-generating idea," suggests income expert Carla Pasternak.

The editor of High Yield International explains, "Based in London, the company's largest market is still the UK, and it holds a virtual monopoly on the electricity transmission grid in England and Wales.

"Its primary business is to balance the supply and demand of electricity and natural gas and transmit that power from producers to customers across its network of high-voltage transmission wires and natural gas pipelines.

"Marine shipping is responsible for transporting an estimated 90% of world trade. And while shipping is an ancient form of transportation, it's being used more and more as world markets open up," states income expert Carla Pasternak.

The editor of High Yield International explains, "During the past 40 years, total shipping has grown four-fold -- from just more than 8,000 billion metric-ton miles in 1968 to an estimated 32,000 billion metric ton-miles in 2008, according to Fearnleys Review."

"One of the 'super five' integrated oil and gas companies, Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE: RDS.A) has a diversified portfolio of oil and gas assets around the globe," says international investing expert Nick Lanyi.

In High Yield International, he says, "As one of the more conservative plays on a falling dollar and a rebound in oil & gas prices, I am adding Royal Dutch Shell -- yielding of 5.8% -- to our 'Reliable Income' portfolio."

"The Amsterdam-based company's revenue is more gas-oriented than its other super-major peers; about 40% of production is natural gas.

"In addition, Shell is more focused on unconventional sources of oil and gas than most -- the company plans to derive more than 10% of its revenue from sources such as oil sands and liquefied natural gas by 2014. This coincides with Shell's long-standing reputation as an industry leader in technology and engineering.

In a recent post, Luck of the Irish, we cited the favorable tax treatment in Ireland (among the lowest of all industrialized countries) as a key competitive advantage for Irish companies competing on a global basis.

Continuing that theme, Nick Lanyi suggests, "Genesis Lease Ltd. (NYSE: GLS) is an Irish-based aircraft-leasing company that is benefiting from a global boom in demand for commercial airplanes -- even as the U.S. economy slows."

The editor of High-Yield International states, "Airlines increasingly lease a portion of their aircraft fleet, rather than owning them." Here's look at a company with a double-digit dividend yield that is benefiting from this trend.

"Airplanes are very expensive, and they need to be replaced every few years. Especially for smaller airlines, it makes more financial sense to pay a regular monthly fee as part of a long-term lease than to shell out the money to buy an airplane.

"In addition, the leasing company is responsible for maintaining the plane -- relieving the airline of the need to recruit, retain and pay for a maintenance staff. Also, demand for air travel fluctuates over time, and leases give airlines more ability to limit excess capacity.

"Aircraft leasing is in a strong long-term growth trend. There are currently about 18,000 commercial aircraft operating worldwide, and that number is expected to double over the next 20-25 years. Why? Because China, India, Brazil, Russia and other emerging markets are growing so rapidly. As economies expand, so does airline traffic.