Alcoa is the world's second largest aluminium company
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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.