So what lies ahead in September and beyond as we close out a rather volatile 2010? It’s very difficult to say. Consumer spending remains weak and unemployment remains high. Midterm elections could reshape the balance of power in Washington. And easier year-over-year comparisons to the dog days of 2009 will be a thing of the past.

That means there’s a lot of uncertainty ahead. And when there’s uncertainty in the market, one of the favorite safe havens for investors are high yield dividend stocks that return a guaranteed payday each quarter. If you’re looking for big yields, here’s a list of the top 10 dividend stocks in the Dow that may contain some decent plays for your investment portfolio:

• Market Cap: $105 billion
• Annual Dividend: $0.63
• Dividend Yield: 3.2%

Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC) made huge waves recently, as the chip giant announced it is buying software/security maker McAfee (NYSE: MFE) for $7.7 billion, or $48 share. But don’t think that payday is bleeding out Intel’s cash reserves – the company has paid dividends since 1992. INTC shares have struggled this year, down -7.5% in 2010 so far, but the dividend payouts help take away some of that sting. Intel is set to make its quarterly dividend payment on Sept. 1, and will be dishing out 16 cents per share to stockholders — a nice yield of over 3% per share.

• Market Cap: $47 billion
• Annual Dividend: $0.95
• Dividend Yield: 3.3%

Home improvement giant Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD) has been paying a dividend to its shareholders since 1987.  HD boasts an impressive yield of 3.3%, which comes out to about $0.95 annually. Year-to-date, Home Depot is down slightly, at -2.6%, but the dividend payment offsets some of the losses.  Additionally, the hardware superstore has beaten earnings estimates for four consecutive quarters, including a +41% surprise last January. Home Depot recently reported that its net income rose +7% over the last quarter, while revenue rose +2% during the same time.  Likewise, same-store sales gained +1.7%, giving stockholders something to hang their hat on besides the dividend.

• Market Cap: $161 billion
• Annual Dividend: $2.16
• Dividend Yield: 3.6%

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) was close to even year-to-date entering the month of May.  Since then, the stock has dropped nearly -9%.  While this is not leaving stockholders very happy, they can still count on the 3.6% dividend yield that they have been receiving every quarter. JNJ has been paying a dividend since 1944, so despite the recent losses, it is almost certain that the dividend will continue to be paid. This healthcare company met earnings estimates last quarter, and exceeded them the three previous quarters.  Additionally, the company’s CEO recently announced a company-wide change to improve manufacturing quality after several recent recalls.  Improved product quality and a continued dividend should work in JNJ’s favor for the near future.

• Market Cap: $151 billion
• Annual Dividend: $2.88
• Dividend Yield: 3.7%

Integrated oil and gas company Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX) is a true dividend aristocrat, having paid stockholders a dividend for 98 years.  This quarter, Chevron will give stockholders 72 cents a share on Sept. 9 – adding up to a yield close to 4%. Since January, CVX’s stock has fallen -2.8%.  Not all the news is bad for Chevron however, as it reported a net profit margin of 10.3% last quarter.  Likewise, the oil company has beaten earnings estimates three of the last four quarters.  Chevron also announced the discovery of new oil reserves in Western Australia.  The company claims that the reserve is the largest they’ve found in that area in over a year, which is certainly good news.

• Market Cap: $36 billion
• Annual Dividend: $1.64
• Dividend Yield: 3.9%

Unlike the previous four companies, EI duPont de Nemours & Company (NYSE: DD) has made significant strides in 2010. Up +19% since January, DuPont has also beaten earnings estimates four straight quarters. Add that to a dividend yield of 3.9% and DD has some very happy shareholders. In a recent press release DuPont’s CEO attributed 30% of the company’s sales to products developed in the last four years; a sign of the company’s innovation and ability to adapt.  Stockholders will receive their quarterly dividend of 41 cents on Sept. 10.

• Market Cap: $51 billion
• Annual Dividend: $1.16
• Dividend Yield: 4%

Packaged food producer Kraft Foods Inc. (NYSE: KFT) has been providing a dividend since 2001, along with its array of snacks, beverages and convenient meals.  With a yield of 4%, Kraft will pay its shareholders a quarterly stipend of 29 cents on Oct. 14. Kraft has also had a productive 2010 as the stock has gained +6.9% year-to-date. Factor in a net profit margin of 7.7% last quarter and four consecutive quarters above the earnings estimates, and Kraft has been a very strong stock. The food company acquired Cadbury in January, adding to its expansive portfolio of food products.

• Market Cap: $106 billion
• Annual Dividend: $1.52
• Dividend Yield: 4.3%

Healthcare company Merck & Co Inc. (NYSE: MRK) boasts an impressive dividend yield of 4.3% based on current valuations and an annual dividend of $1.52.  However, the stock has underperformed in 2010, falling -5.8% since January, despite either meeting or exceeding earnings estimates for each of the last four quarters. Over the past 52 weeks, Merck’s stock is still up 9.9%, despite the recent losses.  2010 has been a bumpy ride for the producer of vaccines, medicines, biological therapies and consumer products, and it will be interesting to see whether the stocks bounce back, or continue to slide.

• Market Cap: $128 billion
• Annual Dividend: $0.72
• Dividend Yield: 4.4%

Drug manufacturer Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) has had a rough go of it in 2010.  The company’s stock has fallen -12.4% since January, despite beating earnings estimates three of the last four quarters.  While the stock may be down, shareholders can still bank on the large 4.4% dividend yield they will be receiving on Sept. 1.  In a bit of good news for Pfizer, a recent lawsuit claiming that the company’s menopause drug caused cancer in two women was dismissed.  A contrary ruling would have been bad news for Pfizer’s stock, and fortunately for the company and its clients, the drug was ruled not to have had the damaging affect on patients.

• Market Cap: $156 billion
• Annual Dividend: $1.68
• Dividend Yield: 6.2%

Having paid a dividend for the past 26 years, AT&T (NYSE: T) recently paid a dividend of 42 cents on Aug. 2.  While the service provider’s stock has fallen -5.8% since January, it has also outperformed earnings estimates three of the last four quarters.  Likewise, the stock is up +3.4% over the past 52 weeks, while posting a net profit margin of 13.3% last quarter. Currently the extremely popular Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone is only available on AT&T, lending a large and loyal Apple fan base to the service provider.  However, rumors are circulating that the iPhone will become available on competitor Verizon’s (NYSE: VZ) service by the end of the year.  This could cut down on AT&T’s subscriber base significantly.

• Market Cap: $83 billion
• Annual Dividend: $1.90
• Dividend Yield: 6.3%

Verizon (NYSE: VZ) provides the largest dividend yield on this list.  With a whopping 6.3% yield, or $1.90 annually, shareholders can not help but be pleased with the company’s dividend payment.  However, these shareholders are likely less enthused about the stock’s recent performance, as it has dropped -11.4% since January. Similarly, a -3.4% estimated sales growth for Verizon is quite unsavory to stockholders. As mentioned, the big rumor in the smartphone industry revolves around the iPhone’s potential migration to Verizon.  This of course would be huge news for the service provider that already carries the popular Blackberry and Android smartphone lines.

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26 Broken Stocks to Sell Now: There’s a long list of companies that have jumped off their lows but are still trading at dirt-cheap prices. But BEWARE: these bargain stocks aren’t just cheap, they’re broken. Get their names here or risk losing your shirt.