After weeks of downgrades following charges of civil fraud, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) stock was upgraded by JP Morgan Chase with a price target on the stock of $175/share.

Energy master limited partnerships or MLPs have quietly carved out a role as the leading industry in the stock market. That’s because these high yield dividend stocks deliver big dividends and many have seen share prices gain as well. Enterprise GP Holdings (EPE) is just one such MLP stock to buy.

After a rough stock market in May, large cap blue chip stocks bounced back nicely in the beginning of June. Then these stock picks gave it all back with most large cap investments looking to close out the month about where they started. In a rocky investing environment right no, it's hard to find investment advice that produces profits that stick – even in low risk large cap blue chip stocks right now.

The merger announcement that Valeant Pharmaceuticals (VRX) would combine with troubled Canadian biotech firm Biovail (BVF) was one of largest of the past several months. The new company will retain the Valeant name, but will be controlled by Biovail shareholders, 50.5% to 49.5%.

Railway stocks took a big hit following the onset of the recession in late 2008. But the railroad watch shows Union Pacific (UNP), Burlington Northern, CSX Corp., Norfolk Southern (NSC) and others are growing. Rather than eviscerating spending, this time the railway stocks invested in capital improvements.

Retail stock Abercrombie and Fitch (ANF) suffered another drop in same store sales in May. Now Abercrombie is rolling out a racy magazine-style catalog that will sell for $10 in ANF stores to consumers age 18 and up. Aeropostale (ARO) and Gap (GPS) retail stores are taking notice.

Costco (COST) stock is performing well in 2010 and is a great stock to buy for many reasons. Here are the top five investment reasons why Costco and COST stock should succeed in the months ahead.

Bank of America (BAC) is one of the biggest financial stocks on Wall Street. And though financial regulatory reform is the order of the day, both on Wall Street and on Capitol Hill, there are plenty of reasons that Bank of America and BAC stock should perform very well for investors no matter what legislators lock down in the final bill. Here are five reasons investors should consider buying BAC.

With all the market volatility of the base few weeks, investors can be forgiven for seeking safety in high yield dividend stocks. Assets like Treasury bonds and gold have done well, too. But stocks that offer high dividend yields are powerful investments. Pepco Holdings (POM) offers a 6.8% yield, First Energy (FE) with a 6.1% yield, and Duke Energy (DUK) with a 6% yield.

Starbucks (SBUX) has been on the resurgence in 2010, with its stock up +16% year-to-date and the successful launch of several new products including its Via instant coffee and a rebranding of Seattle's Best as a low-priced coffee alternative. Now, Starbucks is looking to keep up its growth with a trendy Seattle location that is being billed as a "coffee theater" that brings customers closer to the staff, offers plush seatting and even offers a wine and beer menu.

What happens when your high yield dividend investment actually ends up losing more of your retirement money than it protects? That is the sad reality for many dividend stocks in 2010 despite their high yields and investor perceptions that these investments are low-risk, conservative plays.