Let's take a brief look at a couple companies that reported quarterly earnings this week that couldn't be more different: one sells candy while the other sells telecommunication services. Both, however, pay dividends, although one is set at a much higher yield than the other.

We'll go with the confectioner first. Hershey (HSY) issued second-quarter results that I thought were appealing. According to the press release, sales increased more than 5%, and on an adjusted basis, net income jumped 19% to 51 cents per share. Analysts believed the business was capable of delivering only 46 cents per share. This is a nice follow-up to the first-quarter release.

Apple's (AAPL) buzz machine continues to crowd-out rivals like Research in Motion (RIMM) and Nokia (NOK). Yet, Google's (GOOG) Android is still able to stand out -- and get more and more traction in the market.

For example, this mobile operating system is seeing a whopping 160,000 activations every day. In fact, this growth helped supercharge HTC's latest quarter, with a 63% spike in revenues to $1.88 billion. At the same time, Motorola (MOT) and Verizon (VZ) are getting ready to launch the Droid X. And yes, this device is getting strong reviews.

It's a common refrain: "I'll get an iPhone when it goes on the Verizon (VZ) platform." And Internet traffic proves it. According to searches on Google News, "Verizon iPhone" is the most searched query about Verizon.

Despite this, Verizon continues to focus on Google's (GOOG) Android operating system and is in the process of launching the Droid X (which should hit the market in about a week).

Shares of Verizon Communications (VZ), first discussed here on February 12, 2009, at a price of $29.86, have pulled-back in the first half of 2010, but just view the aforementioned as a chance to pick up a quality telecom play at a decent price.

Look for VZ to post 3% to 5% revenue growth in 2010 and 2011, with data services being the key revenue increase driver. VZ's cell phone subscriber additions should also lead the sector, but competition may hurt overall subscription prices.

Great dividend picks are easier to find than you think. Retirees looking for safe places to stash their cash are already familiar with many blue chips that have hefty yields. It's just that when investors stop at the grocery store or pay their phone bill, they aren't thinking about how the big brands they're doing business with are actually good dividend payers.

Here are three of America's best know public corporations with yields that are about twice what 10-year Treasuries pay. These low-risk blue chips are some of the most famous high-yield dividend stocks out there.

TiVo (TIVO), an expert in digital-video recording, closed Tuesday's regular session at $9.15. It was up over 1%. Sure, that sounds swell when juxtaposed with Tuesday's market action. It does nothing, however, to make me like the stock.

The 52-week low for the shares is $6.41. The 52-week high is $18.93. The one-year chart is ... not appealing. You've got a big spike in buying interest near the right side, preceded by sideways action. Then, a nasty plunge. How can you possibly comprehend this technical situation? It's difficult at best, and I'm not going to pretend I know where the stock is heading.

Analyst Upgrades

• Needham upgraded Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS) to buy from hold following the company's Q1 results as it believes the sell-off in shares provides an attractive entry point into the name. The firm has a $31 price target for the stock. Piper Jaffrey upgraded Dick's Sporting to overweight from neutral following the company's Q1 results and raised its target for shares to $34 from $31.
• Piper Jaffray also upgraded MGIC Investment (MTG) to overweight from neutral. The firm upgraded shares on valuation and raised its target to $11 from $10.
• Macy's (M) was upgraded to buy from neutral and VeriSign (VRSN) was upgraded to sell from conviction sell at Goldman.
• Fidelity National (FIS) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Raymond James.
• Watson Pharma (WPI) was upgraded to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.

Some amazing information has come to light regarding AT&T (ATT), Verizon (VZ), Caterpillar (CAT) and Deere & Co. (DE). It would seem that these companies (among a host of others, I'm sure) have initially determined that dropping health coverage for employees could significantly benefit their bottom lines, and thus benefit investors.

No Surprise Here

As reported by CNNMoney.com, when the health reform bill finally received the president's signature, many large companies began to assess the potential costs of the legislation. At the same time, much was made of the large write-downs that companies took in reaction to changes brought on by the new law.

Analyst upgrades

• Deutsche Bank upgraded Sonoco Products (SON) to buy from hold after the company reported Q1 results and raised guidance. The firm upped its target for shares to $38 from $32.
• Baird upgraded Western Digital (WDC) to outperform from neutral following the solid Q3 report and guidance. The firm raised its target to $50 from $48.
• Goldman upgraded Qwest (Q) to neutral from sell. Qwest is being acquired by CenturyLink (CTL).
• Hershey (HSY) was upgraded to neutral from underweight at JPMorgan.
• Principal Financial (PFG) was upgraded to neutral from sell at UBS.
• Monster Worldwide (MWW) was upgraded to market perform from underperform at Wells Fargo.

You'd think that Wall Street would have learned its lesson after the market's crash in 2008 and early 2009. But already investors are returning to short-sighted, self-destructive behavior by chasing fads and forgetting the facts.

Look at the Morgan Stanley U.S. REIT Index (RMZ), for example. It has been flying high even in the face of horrific commercial and residential real estate figures. Since February 9, RMZ is up about 25%. The index has skyrocketed over 150% from its March 2009 low -- about double the gains for the broader market.

Dividend stocks have lots of appealing factors, and it's easy to find reasons to buy them. Some stocks have a great dividend yield. Others have a decades-long history of raising dividends once a year and are easy to put on your list of dividend stocks that are a lock to boost payouts. Then there are dividend stocks with great upside potential for the shares.

But sometimes investors don't put enough thought into when to sell dividend stocks. Here are some tips to help you pull the trigger:

Google (GOOG) and its Android operating system is giving Apple (AAPL) and its iconic iPhone a serious run for the money right now. Nearly twice as many consumers are using Android-based phones now compared with three months ago, according to a recent survey by ChangeWave Research.

That's no fun for Apple, of course, but survey results show that the tech giant is still holding its own with high customer satisfaction and a larger share of the market. AAPL isn't going down anytime soon -- but the real threat lies to BlackBerry maker Research in Motion (RIMM) that saw market of its smart phones share dip sharply in the survey and is seeing waning demand for its devices.

The Street is abuzz with news that Verizon (VZ) may be offering an Apple (AAPL) iPhone this summer. This move would be a huge boost for Verizon, as the iPhone is a must-have accessory for a good portion of cell-phone carriers.

The Wall Street Journal reported that an iPhone for Verizon's CDMA network is being developed. This could be as beneficial for Verizon as it was for AT&T (T). Reportedly, iPhone users have a dickens of a time dealing with AT&T's coverage (I have AT&T service, but for a regular-old cell phone and I have very few problems) and I am sure that you have seen the Verizon commercials with Luke Wilson touting the company's coverage.