Newbie Question?

I looked around here a bit and didn't find anything to answer my question so figured I'd ask here. I am a bit new to stocks and lately looking for a few companies to invest in with good dividends and I was talking to a guy and he told me to look into Canadian Coal companies and look for some metal/steel companies as well because there are some with 10% dividends and they are a good long term stock to own. What are your guys' oppinions on coal and metal stocks and do you have any recommendations on any good companies to look into?
What about any other good longer term companies? Another one I am looking into is DUK (Duke Energy) which pays dividends and local to where I live. Everyone says they are good to go with but I rarely see them go up, they seem to stay around $17-$22. Sorry for the dumb questions but like I said I am new and looking for advice and some suggested companies to look into.
Thanks for any help and advice!

Right now the only industry with a good 3 month performance is Healthcare.

From what I have looked at, most industrial metal stocks are still in a downtrend. This can be good for a long term investor such as yourself. Personally, I have a "don't catch a falling knife before it hits the ground." That means to wait until a stock stops falling and begins an uptrend. You may miss some potential earnings, but at least you know the stock has stopped falling.

I like DUK because it is an electric energy solution, and alternative energy will be rising very soon. As a short term trader, I don't like their chart at all. But it may be a good investment for a long term investor. Just do your homework on them and understand their business before you get into it. Hope this helped!

Thanks stockman. Yes DUK is not doing so well now but I think IMO it's a very good long term investment and it's local. A friend told me to call them directly and start an account and send them money since it's free (no fee's) and that every month send them $25 bucks or so and add a share (since I am working with little money here). Another one I was looking at is Healthways HWAY. Supposedly I heard that a healthcare company is good and it has something to do with people falling away from the social security (I guess with the big social security scare).
I am with you on the falling knife deal, I am waiting for the stocks to stop dropping and when they start going back up I will buy in.

If you like the stock, then go for it Shawn!!!

I will do it soon! I was looking at SIX for penny stocks and doing a day trade on it but not sure. It has dropped WAY low and goes back up a little and then drops again. I am wanting to buy in at around $1.10 and then hold it until it reaches $3.00 or so but not sure if it's worth it.

stockman,
What do you think about doing a healthcare company now that the market has fallen as much as it has? I am about to put some money into the stocks soon and DUK is still on my list along with sysco and some others. Thanks.