Alcoa (NYSE:AA) Beats Estimates, Sees Growth in Most Markets

Alcoa (NYSE:AA) reported earnings Monday which beat analysts' estimates, as sales grew in a variety of their segments.

Net income for the quarter came to $258 million, or 24 cents a share, a huge increase over the $277 million, or 28 cents a share loss in same period last year. Analysts had been looking for 18 cents a share.

Revenue increased from $5.43 billion a year ago to $5.65 billion, a 4 percent gain.

Net income for the increased to $254 million, or 25 cents a share, in contrast to the lost last year of $1.15 billion, or 1.23 a share. Revenue on the year increased from $18.4 billion to $21 billion.

The performance was from a combination of improved sales in key markets of the company, as well as an approximate 13 percent increase in aluminum prices in the quarter.

Going forward, Alcoa looks to the auto sector as its biggest growth engine for 2011, where sales are expected to surge by 11 percent.

Aluminum demand has been estimated by Alcoa to grow by 12 percent in 2011 as well.

Pricing has helped, but Alcoa is totally exposed to macro-economic conditions, and if there is sustainable growth they'll do well, but if not, they'll struggle.