Revenue of the company, the world's largest aluminum maker, rose 18 percent to $3.11 billion from $2.64 billion.

Alcoa, the big aluminum maker, gained 7.1 percent for the week, the best performance among the Dow industrials.

And, since there are so few aluminum makers, aluminum users must stay in their good graces and not challenge them.

Alcoa, the aluminum maker, with a decline of 6.3 percent, was among the Dow's worst performers.

Of course, aluminum makers have other troubles beyond lower consumption of beer and soft drinks.

Also, the sagging market for aerospace products has been vexing to aluminum makers, which once had a significant percentage of sales from that sector.

In the last recession, aluminum makers suffered more than a quarter or two of losses.

Alcoa, the aluminum maker, closed at $31.37, up $1.17, or 4 percent.

In a 1991 out-of-court settlement, the giant aluminum maker took back the site.

And Alcoa, the aluminum maker, was up 1 1/2, to 56.