1.   Aluminum prices are up somewhat since Russia and several Western governments agreed to limit production early this year.

2.   Aluminum prices have surged this year on signs that global demand from builders, automakers and industry may be outpacing supply.

3.   Aluminum prices on the LME began to surge last year because of stronger demand and a production-cutting agreement between Western nations and Russia.

4.   Aluminum prices also fell because of rising stockpiles.

5.   Aluminum prices have been badly depressed for a decade.

6.   And that production equipment is expected to remain inactive, allowing aluminum prices to recover from the beating they took at the hands of the copper market.

7.   Both companies have surrendered virtually all of the gains they made this summer, when their share prices doubled on rising aluminum prices.

8.   Alcoa remains vulnerable to aluminum prices, of course.

9.   Alcan Aluminium Ltd. may benefit from higher aluminum prices.

10.   Alcan Aluminium Ltd. is expected to report higher third-quarter earnings, reflecting higher aluminum prices.