equity income

Chances are, every day you use products from Colgate-Palmolive, Clorox and Kellogg. These companies have solid balance sheets and their shares offer investors a reliable stream of dividends. But are their stocks attractive, given the prospect of deflation? DailyFinance's Nikhil Hutheesing and Dan Burrows face-off on the companies, the stocks, and whether they should be in your portfolio.

Smoking is a noxious habit but that doesn't mean investors should turn up their noses at Altria Group. The leading U.S. tobacco maker is gaining market share, its stock looks cheap and -- perhaps best of all -- the dividend is both rich and reliable.

No doubt the global recession has been tough on energy companies, but now that oil is back at $80 a barrel, well, it's hard to have much sympathy. Still, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. BP (BP), as one of the world's largest integrated oil and gas companies, has a bright future, thanks to...