Akamai, the leading web content delivery company, grew revenues by almost 9% in 2009 despite the economic recession and expects to grow its revenues by mid double digits in 2010.

According to news reports, Australia is considering the possible introduction of a 40% resources tax on companies. As the world's biggest exporter of iron ore, alumina and coal and one of the key gold miners in the world, the move could seriously curtail the mining business there – and hurt major mining stocks like BHP Billiton (BHP), Rio Tinto (RTP) and Vale SA (VALE) as well as Australia gold miners AngloGold Ashanti (AU), Barrick Gold (ABX) and Newmont Mining (NEM).

Last Thursday, Activision Blizzard (ATVI) announced a partnership with software studio Bungie. Formerly owned by Microsoft (MSFT), Bungie produced the wildly successful Halo series for the Xbox. Now with the Activision publishing deal, Bungie can roll out Halo-like games on other playforms like the Sony (SNE) Playstation and the Nintendo (NTDOY) Wii.

Burger King Holdings (BKC) stock has not had a very inspiring run over the last 18 months or so. While the broader stock market has come roaring back from the March 2009 lows, BKC stock is essentially flat as Burger King has struggled to connect with consumers.

High yield dividend stocks were hard to come by in the recession, as some big blue chips slashed their payouts. But now, dividend growth appears to be back. According to Standard and Poor's, only 48 companies in the S&P 500 decreased their dividend payments during the first quarter of 2010, a vast improvement over the record 367 companies that slashed dividends during the same period in 2009 -- adding $6.4 billion in total dividends.

Crude oil is trading above $85/b today, the dollar is strengthening against the euro, and gold futures are above $1,180/oz. That all three things are happening at the same time is a bit unusual, but then these are unusual times. Both the SPDR Gold Shares ETF (NYSE:GLD) and the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (NYSE:GDX) are at new highs for 2010 and at their highest point since gold topped $1,200/oz back in December 2009. The climb back to the peak has been more or less steady, and if news from Europe doesn't get better over the weekend, $1,200/oz is not out of the question for next week.

In the U.S., the Chicago Climate Exchange and the Chicago Climate Futures Exchange trade voluntary carbon permits that are legally binding. Members of the CCX, as the Chicago exchange is known, include Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F), United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX), DuPont (NYSE:DD), Potash Corp. (NYSE:POT), American Electric Power Co. (NYSE:AEP), and FMC Corp. (NYSE:FMC).

Costco (COST) stock was a darling of investors during the economic downturn as the warehouse discounter offered cash-strapped consumers a deal and saw strong profits as a result. But with the worst of the global recession in the rearview mirror, investors are wondering what's in store for Costco stock.

That green Starbucks (SBUX) is making a push into the retail marketplace -- starting with its Via instant coffee sales a summer strategy that includes new ice cream flavors. SBUX stock has performed very well lately, and Starbucks is looking to keep its momentum of strong earnings and sales.

Fast-food giant McDonald's (MCD) is without doubt the quintessential American fast-food restaurant -- but McDonald's is also a global name with strong global sales. The company makes products enjoyed around the world, and it offers those products at a price point accessible to nearly everyone.

Agricultural stock and fertilizer maker Potash Corp. (POT) reported a 46% hike in earnings today, from EPS of $1.01 in the first quarter of 2009 to $1.47 in the first quarter of 2010. The POT earnings spike was mainly due to sales of potash, which generated 72% of the company's total first-quarter gross margin. Agri-business companies Monsanto Corp. (MON), Mosaic Corp. (MOS), and Sygenta AG (SYT) have already reported first quarter results that were mixed at best. Another large manufacturer, Agrium Inc. (AGU) does not report earnings until next week.

Four blue chip electric utilities reported earnings this morning, and profits were down at all four. Earnings were released from Dominion Resources, Inc. (D), American Electric Power Company (AEP), Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL) and Entergy Corp. (ETR). Earnings declines ranged from 4% to 9%, and were attributed to a variety of factors, from decreased demand to higher operating costs.

According to statistics from NetMarketShare, Ask.com, the search site owned by IAC Interactive (IACI) has the fifth largest share of global search, at 0.63%. Leaving out Baidu Inc. (BIDU), IAC ranks fourth.

Major oil stocks Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM) and ConocoPhillips Corp. (COP) reported earnings this morning, with independent oil stock Occidental Petroleum Corp. (OXY) also reporting earnings alongside these heavyweights. All reported higher profits in their earnings reports due to higher crude oil prices.

Seattle coffee icon Starbucks (SBUX) has been on the resurgence in 2010 after consumers fled during the Great Recession. In order to keep the profits percolating, SBUX stock is looking to roll out a fresh new menu of Frappucinos and iced coffee for the hot summer months.

At last week's release of its 2009 annual report, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) indicated that it might change direction and "develop new, innovative formats." Company president/CEO Mike Duke especially noted opportunities in major metropolitan markets as a target for the new formats.

It's been another busy week for dividend growth. A number of blue chip stocks saw dividend increases, including tech giant IBM (IBM) and retail stock Costco (COST). Forest products company International Paper (IP) also saw a quarterly dividend boost. Small cap stocks that raised dividend yields include metal products maker Valmont Industries (VMI), offshore oil driller Ensco (ESV), chemical stock Celanese (CE) and regional bank Community Bank System (CBU).

Despite a positive earnings report, some profit taking and new concerns about the company going forward have caused Ford shares to fall today.