Volume finished at 3.75 Billion shares on the NYSE and 1.98 Billion shares traded on the NASDAQ. Today’s tough earnings news came from companies such as DR Horton (DHI) and Dell Inc. (DELL). Both companies got hit hard following their results. There were a couple of bright spots in the earnings crowd, with J.M. Smucker Company (SJM) and Dillard’s (DDS) rising nicely after their reports.

Wall Street downgrades weighed down companies like Principal Financial Group (PFG), Dominion Resources (D), Marathon Oil (MRO) and Darden Restaurants (DRI). We did have some upgrades lifting shares of Hess Corp (HES) and Aflac (AFL).

Commodity stocks were mixed, with fertilizer plays like Potash (POT) moving up, while coal stocks such as Consol Energy (CNX) and Peabody Energy (BTU) moving lower. Gold (GLD) managed to rally back and finish near the intraday highs. Oil (USO) pulled back however. Treasuries (TLT) finished basically unchanged.

As we look ahead to next week, we are heading into a shortened trading week, with the markets closed Thursday for Thanksgiving Holiday and also closing at 1:00pm Est. on Friday. There will be some earnings out next week from the likes of Campbell Soup (CPB), Hewlett-Packard (HPQ), Tiffany (TIF) & more.

Before we forget, we made a dividend recommendation change earlier today, so be sure to check out the link below if you did not read the e-mail alert we sent out earlier. Also, be sure to check out this weekend’s Premium posts as well. Stay in touch with the latest and greatest names in the dividend stock world.

Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks, as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here.

A quick peek at shares of dividend play Consolidated Edison (ED).

Time to consider Sunoco a value play.

Will Merck (MRK) make a return to glory once again?

A quick re-cap of dividend stocks that recently raised their dividends. We have highlighted these names in posts earlier in the week.

Only good things to say about Nike (NKE).

Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks, as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here.

Dr.Pepper Snapple Group (DPS) – This company engages in owning, bottling, and distributing non-alcoholic beverages in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. It provides flavored carbonated soft drinks (CSD) and non-carbonated beverages (NCB), including ready-to-drink teas, juices, juice drinks, and mixers. The company offers its CSD products under the Dr Pepper, 7UP, Sunkist, A&W, Canada Dry, Schweppes, Squirt, RC, Crush, Diet Rite, Sundrop, Welch’s, Vernors, and Country Time brand names; and NCB products under the Snapple, Mott’s, Hawaiian Punch, Clamato, Nantucket Nectars, Venom Energy, Yoo-Hoo, Orangina, Mistic, Mr and Mrs T, Rose’s, Margaritaville, Stewart’s, and IBC brand names. Dr Pepper Snapple Group sells its products to bottlers and distributors, retailers, and large foodservice and convenience store customers. The company was incorporated in 2007 and is headquartered in Plano, Texas. Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. operates independently of Cadbury plc as of May 7, 2008.

Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks, as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here.

(MRO)

The analyst maintained its 2010 EPS estimates for the company, however. Barclays also reiterated its “Equal Weight” rating and $36 price target on MRO.

Marathon Oil shares, which closed at $33.33 on Thursday, fell 23 cents, or -0.7%, in premarket trading Friday.

The Bottom Line
We have avoided shares of MRO since our early June coverage began last year, when the stock was trading at $49.52. The company has a dividend yield of 2.88%, based on last night’s closing stock price of 33.33. The stock has technical support in the $28-$30 price area. If the shares can firm up, we see overhead resistance around the $35-$37 price levels. We would remain on the sidelines for now.

Marathon Oil Corporation (MRO) is not recommended at this time, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars.

Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks, as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here.

(DRI)

The analyst said it now sees shares of DRI, which closed on Thursday at $31.70, reaching $34. UBS also lowered its earnings estimates for the company, citing a weaker sales outlook. The analyst currently rates the stock as “Neutral.”

Darden Restaurants shares were mostly flat in premarket trading Friday.

The Bottom Line
We removed shares of DRI from our “recommended” list back on Sept.30, when the stock was trading at $36.15. The company has a dividend yield of 3.15%, based on last night’s closing stock price of $31.70. The stock has technical support in the $26-$30 price area. If the shares can firm up, we see overhead resistance around the $35 price level. We would remain on the sidelines for now.

Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI) is not recommended at this time, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars.

Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks, as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here.

(CLF)

The analyst lifted its price target for CLF to $51, citing rising spot iron ope prices in China, which could push contract prices up 40%. Citigroup currently rates the stock as a “Buy.”

Cliffs shares, which closed at $42.28 on Thursday, fell 58 cents, or -1.4%, in premarket trading Friday.

The Bottom Line
The company has a dividend yield of .83%, based on last night’s closing stock price of $42.28. The stock has technical support in the $33-$35 price area. If the shares can continue the recent ascent, we see overhead resistance around the $49 price level. We would remain on the sidelines for now.

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc (CLF) is not recommended at this time, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars.

Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks, as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here.