With all the talk about debt, deficits and value destruction in the news lately, I figured you could stand to hear something positive for a change. So with thanks to the analysts at ISI Group in New York, here are some strengths in the U.S. and global economy to put into your mix of thoughts:

Any investment that has "real estate" as part of its title is a risky proposition right now. However, among Real Estate Investment trusts (or REITs), there are still some nice opportunities right now if you know where to look. These companies tend to yeild very high dividends, and some have very good upside potential even amid a tough housing market.

Satellite radio kingpin Sirius XM Radio (SIRI) finally broke back through the $1/share barrier a couple of weeks ago after nearly 18 months in penny stock territory. But the euphoria didn't last too long, as the stock opened below $1 this morning and has been struggling to get back to the heady levels of last week.

Covered here are Internet stocks AMZN, BIDU, EBAY, GOOG and YHOO with analysis on where these Internet stocks are valued in relation to each other and which offer the most upside versus current 2010 targets.

Market share will drive car sales in the U.S. this year, and profits will have to wait at least until 2011, which isn't good news for General Motors or Chrysler or, for that matter, Ford.

Sticking to the big PC makers alone isn't the only way to fill your portfolio's plate with winners. In fact, the tastier picks in this space are actually down the PC food chain.

The European Commission (EC) will investigate Google (GOOG) over complaints from three European companies regarding Google's page ranking on search results.

The only good news about the most recent housing news and outlook for mortgages and homebuilders is that it could be worse.

If the U.S. passes legislation capping Wall Street bonuses, does the country run the risk of losing its status as the financial capital of the world?

Sears (SHLD) did what it needed to in its effort to turn itself around and regain some credibility on Wall Street after a long string of disappointing numbers.

Over the past two days, Home Depot (HD) and Lowe's (LOW) each posted better-than-expected Q4 earnings and offered the Street positive outlooks going forward.

There are plenty of key retail earnings coming this week including reports from Nordstrom (JWN), Macy's (M), Sears (SHLD), Target (TGT) and Saks (SKS). Here's what you need to know.

The price of crude is at its highest point since mid-January, but there's no reason to expect prices to do more than test the $80 per barrel barrier.

Oilfield service companies Schlumberger (SLB) and Smith International (SII) are expected to announce a $9 billion merger. The deal, if it happens, would be the second major consolidation among oilfield service companies in six months.

Covered here are department store retail stocks KSS, M, JWN and SKS, with analysis on where these stocks are valued in relation to each other and which offer the most upside versus current 2010 targets.

The IMF's decision to sell its remaining gold reserves on the open market has many wondering what impact it will have on the long-term spot price of gold.