Reuters - Aluminum producer Alcoa Inc on Tuesday posted a better-than-expected quarterly profit, lifting its shares, as higher aluminum prices and sales volumes offset increased costs.

AP - Alcoa Inc., the world's third-largest aluminum producer, ushered in the second-quarter earnings season by posting a 24 percent earnings decline as rising production costs eroded profits, but the results still exceeded analysts' expectations.

Reuters - Pepsi Bottling Group Inc posted better-than-expected quarterly profit on Tuesday as price increases in the United States and Canada more than offset a decline in volume.

Reuters - Investors in Alcoa Inc are expecting a rough quarterly earnings report on Tuesday from the aluminum maker, whose profits are expected to sink nearly 20 percent as escalating energy and other costs take their toll.

AP - Wall Street lost more ground in extremely volatile trading Monday, as investors recoiled at a cautious economic outlook from a Federal Reserve official and the possibility of more financial troubles of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

AP - Stocks turned lower Monday as investors reacted to cautious remarks about the economy by a Federal Reserve official and worried about the financial health of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Treasurys rose sharply as investors sought the safety of government debt.

AP - Investors battered by surging energy prices, disappointing economic data and the ongoing credit crisis will have something else to worry about this week — second-quarter corporate results.

Reuters - It will be tough for Wall Street to shake off the bear market blues next week if the price of oil keeps rising and the earnings season kick-off from Alcoa and General Electric disappoints investors.

Reuters - Family Dollar Stores Inc on Wednesday reported higher-than-expected quarterly profit as the discount retailer kept a tight control on expenses and inventory to navigate the tough environment, sending its shares up than 11 percent.