 Alcoa is the world's second largest aluminium company |
Aluminium giant Alcoa has seen its latest profits rise 9%, boosted by higher global metals prices. Reporting its results for the first three months of 2007, the US group made a net profit of $662m (�336m) compared with $608m for the same time last year.
Its revenues for the first quarter period increased 11% to $7.9bn, also lifted by rising sales to the aerospace and construction markets.
There has recently been speculation that Alcoa could be a bid target.
Anglo-Australian mining giants BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto have both been reported to be interested in buying Alcoa, but neither they nor the US firm have commented on the speculation.
Last year Alcoa lost its title as the world's largest aluminium producer, after it was overtaken by the joining together of Russian firms Rusal and Sual with Swiss group Glencore.
One-Minute World News 
News services
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
