U.S. stock futures drifted lower Wednesday after two days of gains as investors took profits on the dawn of earnings season. See full story.
Analysts project Alcoa closer to profitability
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) – Alcoa, dragged down by weak demand for aluminum from the aerospace and construction sectors, is expected to report its fourth consecutive quarterly loss when it kicks off earnings season Wednesday. See full story.
Updates, advisories and surprises
A roundup of the latest corporate earnings reports and what companies are saying about future quarters. See full story.
Yum profit up even as same-store sales slip
Yum Brands posts a sharp rise in profit, buoyed by lower costs and a booming China division even as same-store sales wilted. See full story.
Stocks in focus for Wednesday
Among the companies whose shares are expected to see active trade in Wednesday's session are Alcoa Inc., Monsanto Co. and Costco Wholesale Corp. See full story.
MARKETWATCH COMMENTARY
Investors in Advanced Micro Devices Inc. have done this drill before. The company reports endless streams of net losses, piles on more debt and sees its stock slip into the single digits. Then the chipmaker pulls a rabbit out of its hat, See full story.
MARKETWATCH PERSONAL FINANCE
In the context of health reform, close to a trillion dollars may not be strong enough medicine over the next decade to extend coverage to the uninsured and make health insurance affordable for people who soon may be required to have it.
