After a summer stock dip, food giant General Mills (GIS), first discussed here on April 8, 2009, split-adjust price of $25.40 ($50.80 per-split), is reasserting itself, and with good reason.

General Mills boasts solid brands (Cheerios, Wheaties, Lucky Charms, Total and Chex), good cash flow, economies of scale, and room for international expansion. Add productivity gains, demonstrated marketing skill, and a solid, split-adjust $1.12 annual dividend and GIS is one play that's hard to pass up.

"Japanese stocks are the elephant in the room as President Obama visits the Asian democratic countries, among them Japan," says international stock expert Vivian Lewis.

The editor of Global Investing highlights two favorite Japanese stocks for investors comfortable buying individual shares: Hoya (HOCPF) and Makita Corp. (MKTAY).

Viacom (VIA.B) is seeing a bid today. The B shares are up, at the time of this writing, by 3.4% to $39.40. The 52-week high is currently set at $39.76, and it was hit during the intraday session. A look at the chart shows a stock that has been breaking through new trading levels.

Will it continue to do so? Well, the third-quarter numbers show something of a mixed bag, in my opinion. Adjusted earnings from continuing businesses increased a mere 6% to 75 cents per share. That was enough to beat the estimate of 70 cents per share, as indicated in this Associated Press article.

If you took advantage of United Parcel Service's (UPS) summer correction to add to your position, you made the right move. UPS, which I first wrote about here on April 7, 2009, at a price of $51.28, accelerated out of a trough anear $55 to retest $70 this fall. And I obviously still like the shares.

UPS's 2011 revenue should increase 8% to 10%, after a 10% to 13% increase in 2010. Without question, the worst is over for the delivery business and better quarters are ahead: increased pricing power, in some delivery segments, and higher volumes are likely as the U.S. and global economic expansions continue.