"They've done all the right things to rein in costs, and as aluminum prices rise, all that will fall to the bottom line."

Reynolds Metals said earnings plunged 89 percent, the result of a $94 million charge and lower aluminum prices.

The deal was completed in late 1986, a time when aluminum prices were 52 cents a pound.

Paul took Alcoa's stock from $5 to $40 at a time when aluminum prices were falling.

They say higher aluminum prices and better technology have made their product competitive again.

The company announced that it would cut costs because of higher energy expenses and a drop in aluminum prices.

But aluminum companies have been scrambling to get costs down because of a drop in global aluminum prices.

Higher aluminum prices are leading to an increase in the supply of that metal.

And, of course, that's going to cause aluminum prices to move downward.

The heightened demand and the drop in production capacity have combined to force aluminum prices upward.