"Between early November and mid-January, the normally staid municipal bond market plunged; and despite recovering off the lows, federally tax-exempt muni funds with an average credit quality of AA+ still carry yields of better than 6%," notes income expert Carla Pasternak.

The editor of High Yield Investing explains, "Launched in 1991, Nuveen Premier Insured Municipal Bond (NIF) is one of the longest-standing muni funds. It's managed by Nuveen, specialists in the muni area.

"Our goal is helping investors grow their capital and income base from which to derive cash for their current and future needs," notes dividend expert Kelley Wright.

The editor of Investment Quality Trends explains, "To that end we believe that high-quality stocks purchased at historically low-price-to-high-yield offers the best potential for downside protection and upside appreciation. Our Timely Ten list represents our current top ideas.

"Realty Income (O) is one of our favorite companies; they continue to grow their portfolio of properties which will ensure their dividend stream will grow for years to come," says Steve Christ.

The editor of Wealth Advisory explains, "The company recently announced its 54th consecutive quarterly increase and the 61st dividend increase since Realty Income went public in 1994.

"The company recently announced that it had signed definitive purchase agreements to acquire up to 33, single-tenant, retail, distribution, office and manufacturing properties under long-term, net-lease agreements for approximately $544 million.

"One of the best inflationary hedges of the 20th century is often forgotten -- timber," suggests Larry Spears.

The contributing editor to Money Morning explains, "In the modern era, inflation has never been a match for timber. On average, the price of harvested lumber itself has risen more than 5% annually over the past 100 years.

"Since 1910, the value of timberland as an investment has risen faster - and with less volatility - than stocks as measured by the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. Here's a trio of stocks to benefit from this trend.

"As partnerships, MLPs pass through the majority of their income to investors in the form of regular distributions; the average MLP currently yields about 6 percent," observes eneergy sector expert Elliott Gue.

The editor of The Energy Strategist explains, "QR Energy LP (QRE) debuted as a publicly traded master limited partnership on Dec. 17, 2010.

"QR Energy owns upstream assets from which it produces oil and natural gas. Oil and natural gas liquids account for about 70 percent of the outfit's reserves (29.7 million barrels of oil equivalent) and production (5,184 barrels of oil equivalent per day).

"London-based Rio Tinto (RIO) is one of the largest and most diversified mining companies in the world; ith the potential to reward shareholders with increased dividends and share buybacks, Rio is a buy for investors seeking exposure to booming commodity markets," says Paul Tracy.

The editor of High Yield International explains, "Rio's operations are located in Australia, North and South America, South Africa, Europe and Indonesia. Its strategy is to concentrate on the development of large, high quality mineral deposits and become a low-cost producer for each commodity.

"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.

This post is one in a series in which more than 60 newsletter advisors share their Top Stock Picks for 2011. This special report is courtesy of TheStockAdvisors.com.

"Altria (MO) -- our top investment idea for the coming year -- is an extremely simple business; the company provides a specific product, tobacco, to a specific consumer niche, tobacco users," says dividend expert Kelley Wright.

The editor Investment Quality Trends explains, "While distasteful, if not outright abhorrent to much of the population, tobacco is the poster-child of 'sinful' indulgences, which makes Altria Group the poster-child of 'sin' stocks.

This post is one in a series in which more than 60 newsletter advisors share their Top Stock Picks for 2011. This special report is courtesy of TheStockAdvisors.com.

"With fewer people tapping the housing market, apartments are filling up fast. That's one big reason I like Equity Residential (EQR) for 2011," says income specialist Amy Calisti.

The editor of The Daily Paycheck explains, "Equity Residential is an S&P 500 company and the largest real estate investment trust (REIT) of its kind.

"I think that floating and variable rate securities will do well in the coming year and it's time to prepare," says income specialist Amy Calistri.

The editor of The Daily Paycheck explains, "As such, in my research I was happy to find Blackrock Floating Rate Income Trust (BGT), a closed-end fund yielding 5.7%, in my research.

"Many floating rate funds concentrated in the financial sector. Fortunately, BlackRock Floating Rate Income Trust is not.

"We will leave the debate over the relative morality of the cigarette business to others," says Geoffrey Seiler, adding "Our view is simple: it is a legal product and Philip Morris International (PM) is one of the best operators in the segment."

The editor of BullMarket.com explains, "The Philip Morris value creation model is easy to understand. While organic volumes are still slipping, the tobacco industry continues to have great pricing power.

"Thus the simple formula for the company is to raise prices, use its prolific cash flow to buy back shares, make some accretive acquisitions, increase the dividend, and repeat.

"I believe we have a unique opportunity to initiate a new position in a company that is still under the radar of most investors: CoreSite Realty Corp. (COR)," says growth and income specialist Bryan Perry.

The editor of The Cash Machine explains, "CoreSite is structured as a REIT intended to meet the strict needs of the information technology community; it manages more than 2 million square feet of data center space for more than 600 customers.

"Since the company's founding in 2001, CEO Thomas Ray has been in charge of the company's actions. (Before the initial public offering in September, Ray also served as a managing director of The Carlyle Group.)

"Getty Realty Corp. (GTY), yielding 6.6%, is the largest publicly traded REIT which owns and leases gas stations and convenience stores," notes income specialist Carla Pasternak.

The editor of High Yield Investing explains, "The REIT has provided strong double-digit average returns of 11% annually over the past decade and a half (almost double the 6% for the S&P 500).

She continues, "It owns about 1,060 properties, mainly in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic state and operates nine petroleum distribution terminals.

"Rising demand for electricity has been among the surest trends on which you could bet for the past 100 years;" says utility sector and income expert Roger Conrad.

The contributing editor to Personal Finance explains, "That's money in the bank for the companies that produce and distribute power, including these three Income Portfolio power plays: Dominion Resources (D), Southern Company (SO), and Xcel Energy (XEL).

"After a dip in 2008-09, Americans' power use is climbing again, as more and more electricity-using devices become essential to modern life.

Last January I suggested that shares of Ross Stores (ROST) might be as much of a bargain as the merchandise it sells. That turned out to be true. The stock has outpaced the market considerably. At the time, it was trading at $45.20. Last week, on Sept. 3, Ross closed at $52.60 for a year-to-date gain of 16.37%.

Ross pays a small dividend yielding 1.12%. It is not high, but it exceeds what you're getting from money market accounts or CDs and, added to the stocks appreciating, it's a bonus.

After this nice gain, how do the metrics shape up today? Is it too late to make some money here?