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Alcoa Announces Income from Continuing Operations of $298 Million, or $0.34 per share, in Third Quarter, 2004

NEW YORK--Oct. 7, 2004--Alcoa :

Highlights:

-- Income from continuing operations was $298 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, in line with prior guidance;

-- Year-to-date income from continuing operations was $1.053 billion, or $1.20, up 52 percent from 2003's result of $695 million, or $0.82;

-- Debt-to-capital ratio improved to 32.3 percent, the lowest since early 2000;

-- Reached tentative agreement with union on health care package allowing re-start of Wenatchee, WA smelter; strike on-going at Becancour, Quebec smelter;

-- Disciplined capital spending, lowering projected full-year capital expenditures to approximately $1.2 billion;

-- Continued execution on upstream and downstream growth projects.

Alcoa announced today that its income from continuing operations was $298 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, in the third quarter, up from $285 million, or $0.33, in the third quarter of 2003, and down from $405 million, or $0.46, in the previous quarter.

Net income in the quarter was $283 million, or $0.32, down from $404 million, or $0.46, in the previous quarter, and even with $280 million, or $0.33, in the third quarter of 2003.

Year-to-date, income from continuing operations was $1.053 billion, or $1.20, 52 percent more than 2003's result of $695 million, or $0.82. During this time period, the average cash aluminum price traded on the LME increased by 20 percent.

The quarter's results were negatively affected by several events, including the previously announced impact of the strike at the Becancour, Quebec smelter and costs associated with the impact of Hurricane Ivan on the Jamalco refinery. The quarter's results do not include the previously announced charge that was expected to be recorded for layoffs at the Wenatchee facility since a tentative agreement with the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) and its affiliate, the Aluminum Trades Council of Wenatchee, was reached that will allow restart of the facility.

"Industry fundamentals and performance in key markets continue to be strong. Our efforts to tackle higher labor and health care costs in North America lowered profitability. We are taking the right approach to ensure competitiveness for the long-term", said Alain Belda, Alcoa Chairman and CEO.

Sales Overview

Sales in the quarter of $5.975 billion rose 12.5 percent over revenue in the third quarter of 2003. Sales were down slightly over the sequential quarter's $6.070 billion, primarily due to lower activity in the company's automotive markets. Upstream markets for alumina and aluminum remained strong in the quarter, as worldwide demand pushed industry inventories lower. Beyond customary seasonality within some downstream markets, the automotive, consumer packaging and European fabricated aluminum markets saw softness in the third quarter. Commercial transportation and aerospace markets continued to gain momentum.

Higher input costs, particularly energy in Europe and North America, negatively affected several businesses, and the increase in prices for petroleum-derived products, like resin, caused higher costs in the packaging businesses.

Foreign currency translation resulted in a pre-tax loss of $17 million in the quarter.

The company's return on capital stood at 8.7 percent on a trailing four quarters basis.

Update on Labor Situation, Hurricane Ivan, and Other Events

As previously announced, the quarter's results were negatively affected by several events, including:

-- an on-going strike at its Becancour, Quebec smelter with an impact of $41 million before taxes and $29 million after taxes;

-- Hurricane Ivan's damage to the port serving the Jamalco refinery and associated clean-up costs and production losses, with a total impact of $12 million before taxes and $7 million after taxes;

-- a fire at the KAMA packaging facility in Hazleton, PA, with an impact of $4 million before taxes and $3 million after taxes;

-- charges associated with the closure of the Northwood, OH automotive structures facility with an impact of $4 million before taxes and $3 million after taxes; and

-- the anticipated sale of the protective packaging business, with an after-tax impact of $16 million.

In the quarter, the company was able to realize a $35 million pre-tax profit ($15 million after-tax and minority interest) by winding down a favorable alumina tolling arrangement.

Alcoa's Jamalco refinery in Jamaica was not badly damaged during Hurricane Ivan, but the storm harmed the company's Rocky Point port from which the refinery ships alumina and interrupted production. The Jamalco refinery has 1.25 million metric tons of capacity, and is a 50/50 relationship between Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals ("AWAC") -- a global alliance between Alcoa and Alumina Ltd. -- and the government of Jamaica.

As a result of the anticipated sale of its protective packaging business, the company recorded a charge of $16 million, or $0.02, in the third quarter under discontinued operations. The sale is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Cost Savings Program

Due to the aforementioned higher input costs, higher maintenance expenses and higher spending associated with demand growth, the company did make not any additional gains toward its cost challenge in this quarter. At this point, Alcoa has now achieved $132 million in annual savings toward the $1.2 billion three-year cost challenge. This is Alcoa's third of three consecutive $1 billion-plus challenges, which together have resulted in more than $2.2 billion in sustainable savings. "We remain confident that we can achieve $1.2 billion in savings over three years through continued application of the Alcoa Business System," said Belda.

Balance Sheet

The company's debt-to-capital ratio improved to 32.3 percent at the end of the quarter, within the company's targeted range of 25 to 35 percent. The company has reduced its debt by approximately $1.2 billion in the past 12 months.

In the quarter, capital expenditures were $253 million, 84 percent of depreciation. Year-to-date capital spending has been $667 million. The company will spend approximately $1.2 billion on capital in 2004, roughly $100 million lower than originally projected due to timing of growth project spend.

Update on Growth Projects

During the quarter, the company made progress on several growth projects designed to solidify its position as the world's leading supplier of alumina, primary metals and fabricated products.

Refining

The company's brownfield refinery expansions in Suriname (Suralco) and Pinjarra in Western Australia are both proceeding well. The Suralco refinery expansion is scheduled to be completed 5 months ahead of schedule and the added capacity will now come on-line in January 2005. Together, those projects will increase AWAC's global alumina capacity by approximately 750,000 metric tons per year.

Smelting

During the third quarter, Alcoa broke ground on its 322,000 metric ton per year (mtpy) Fjardaal aluminum smelter in East Iceland, the company's first greenfield smelter in 20 years. Upon completion, Alcoa Fjardaal will be one of the most efficient, environmentally friendly, and safest smelters in the world. It is scheduled to begin production in the spring of 2007.

Alcoa began an environmental impact assessment in Trinidad for a 250,000 mtpy smelter there. Alcoa and the government of Trinidad and Tobago signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on that project in May 20, 200404, and a final decision on the smelter is expected in 2005.

The company announced that its Brazilian 100 percent equity owned subsidiary, Alcoa Aluminio S.A., will begin expanding capacity at its Sao Luis (Alumar) aluminum smelter immediately. When complete, the expansion will bring Aluminio's share of smelting capacity there to 262,000 mtpy and will increase Alcoa's share of output from the overall smelter from 54 to 60 percent. Construction of the expansion has begun, with production expected to begin in the third quarter of 2005.

Alcoa's 2003 MOU between the company and the government of the Kingdom of Bahrain is no longer in force. Under the terms of that MOU, Alcoa would have acquired a 26% stake in Alba, a Bahrain company that owns and operates an aluminum smelter with 512,000 metric tons per year of capacity. The company and the government were unable to reach mutually acceptable terms to finalize the terms of the MOU, but are continuing to explore other ways for Alcoa to invest in Alba. Alcoa has a 33-year commercial relationship with Alba, under which Alcoa has been the exclusive supplier of alumina to the smelter.

Downstream

The company continues to pursue approval from the Federal Antimonopoly Service in Russia for its purchase of Rusal's Samara and Belaya Kalitva facilities, which will enhance its position as a supplier of rolled and extruded products in Europe. Progress on the Bohai rolling venture in China continues, and Alcoa expects the joint venture to be formed by the first quarter of 2005, subject to government approvals.

Segment and Other Results

(all comparisons on a sequential quarter basis, unless noted)

Alumina and Chemicals - Segment profitability increased $10 million (6 percent) driven by the favorable impact of winding down an alumina-tolling contract, offset by throughput issues in Western Australia. Alumina production for the quarter was 3,546 thousand metric tons (kmt). The financial impact due to the damage in Jamaica is partially recognized in this segment and partially recognized in the ATOI reconciliation.

Primary Metals - Segment profitability decreased $42 million (18 percent) largely due to the strike at the Becancour facility, unfavorable currency effects, higher energy costs, and higher maintenance expenses. Realized prices were flat with the second quarter. Primary metal production for the quarter was 821 kmt down from 863 kmt in the second quarter due primarily to the curtailment of Becancour. The company purchased roughly 200 kmt of primary metal for internal use as Alcoa continued to execute on its strategy of selling value-added products.

Flat Rolled Products - Segment profitability increased $3 million to $62 million, up 5% from the second quarter. The resolution of prior quarter operational issues in the Tennessee, US and the Kitts Green, UK facilities led to higher shipments and revenue in the segment. Continued strong pricing in North America helped to offset the traditional slowdown associated with North American automotive OEM shutdowns.

Engineered Products - Segment profitability fell by $18 million, to $60 million. The decline in profitability was largely driven by lower shipments to the automotive industry coupled with ramp-up costs associated with expected higher future demand in the aerospace and commercial vehicle markets.

Packaging and Consumer - Typical seasonal decline in demand in the closures business, softness in the consumer products business, persistently higher resin costs and the negative impact of the KAMA fire led to a $13 million decline in segment profitability.

Other - Profitability decreased $18 million driven by lower shipments to the automotive market, partially offset by stronger results at Alcoa Home Exteriors.

ATOI to Net Income Reconciliation

The largest variances in reconciling items were in the "other" and "discontinued operations" line items. "Other" changed largely due to the non-recurrence of the second quarter environmental charges and the gain on early debt repayment, lower dividend income and unfavorable translation effects of currency. "Discontinued Operations" includes the charge associated with the anticipated sale of the protective packaging business.

Alcoa will hold its quarterly conference call at 5:00 PM Eastern Time on October 7th to present the quarter's results. The meeting will be webcast via alcoa.com. Call information and related details are available at www.alcoa.com under "Invest."

About Alcoa

Alcoa is the world's leading producer and manager of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina facilities, and is active in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components, Alcoa also markets consumer brands including Reynolds Wrap(R) foils and plastic wraps, Alcoa(R) wheels, and Baco(R) household wraps. Among its other businesses are vinyl siding, closures, fastening systems, precision castings, and electrical distribution systems for cars and trucks. The company has 120,000 employees in 42 countries and has been a member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average for 45 years and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes since 2001. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com

Forward Looking Statement

Certain statements in this release relate to future events and expectations and as such constitute forward-looking statements involving known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of Alcoa to be different from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include: (a) material adverse changes in economic or aluminum industry conditions generally, including global supply and demand conditions and prices for primary aluminum, alumina and other products; (b) material adverse changes in the markets served by Alcoa, including the transportation, building, construction, distribution, packaging, industrial gas turbine, telecommunications and other markets; (c) Alcoa's inability to achieve the level of cost savings, productivity improvements or earnings growth anticipated by management, whether due to significant increases in energy, raw materials or employee benefits costs, labor disputes or other factors; (d) changes in laws, governmental regulations or policies, currency exchange rates or competitive factors in the countries in which Alcoa operates; (e) a significant downturn in the business or financial condition of a key customer or customers supplied by Alcoa; (f) significant legal proceedings or investigations adverse to Alcoa, including environmental, product liability, safety and health and other claims; and (g) the other risk factors summarized in Alcoa's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2004 and June 30, 2004 and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Alcoa and subsidiaries
Condensed Statement of Consolidated Income (unaudited)
(in millions, except per-share, share, and metric ton amounts)

                                             Quarter ended
                                  September 30  June 30   September 30
                                    2003 (a)    2004 (a)     2004
                                    --------    --------     ----
Sales                                  $5,310      $6,070      $5,975

Cost of goods sold                      4,204       4,787       4,787
Selling, general administrative,
 and other expenses                       303         317         315
Research and development expenses          47          43          44
Provision for depreciation,
 depletion, and amortization              291         300         300
Restructuring and other charges             1           5           4
Interest expense                           75          69          67
Other income, net                         (42)       (125)        (53)
                                       ------      ------      ------
  Total costs and expenses              4,879       5,396       5,464

Income from continuing operations
 before taxes on income                   431         674         511
Provision for taxes on income              92         196         142
                                       ------      ------      ------
Income from continuing operations
 before minority interests' share         339         478         369
Less:  Minority interests' share           54          73          71
                                       ------      ------      ------

Income from continuing operations         285         405         298

Loss from discontinued operations          (5)         (1)        (15)
                                       ------      ------      ------

NET INCOME                               $280        $404        $283
                                       ======      ======      ======

Earnings (loss) per common share:
   Basic:
     Income from continuing
      operations                         $.33        $.46        $.34
     Loss from discontinued
      operations                            -           -        (.02)
                                       ------      ------      ------
        Net income                       $.33        $.46        $.32
                                       ======      ======      ======

   Diluted:
     Income from continuing
      operations                         $.33        $.46        $.34
     Loss from discontinued
      operations                            -           -        (.02)
                                       ------      ------      ------
        Net income                       $.33        $.46        $.32
                                       ======      ======      ======

Average number of shares used to
 compute:
   Basic earnings per common
    share                         855,477,116 869,550,013 869,953,918
   Diluted earnings per common
    share                         859,375,461 877,363,719 876,526,090

Shipments of aluminum products
 (metric tons)                      1,225,000   1,287,000   1,274,000



Alcoa and subsidiaries
Condensed Statement of Consolidated Income (unaudited)
(in millions, except per-share, share, and metric ton amounts)


                                               Nine months ended
                                          September 30   September 30
                                            2003 (a)        2004
                                            --------        ----
Sales                                           $15,900       $17,718

Cost of goods sold                               12,642        13,992
Selling, general administrative, and
 other expenses                                     942           974
Research and development expenses                   147           132
Provision for depreciation, depletion,
 and amortization                                   878           902
Restructuring and other charges                       -           (22)
Interest expense                                    243           200
Other income, net                                  (135)         (200)
                                                -------       -------
  Total costs and expenses                       14,717        15,978

Income from continuing operations before
 taxes on income                                  1,183         1,740
Provision for taxes on income                       300           493
                                                -------       -------
Income from continuing operations before
 minority interests' share                          883         1,247
Less:  Minority interests' share                    188           194
                                                -------       -------

Income from continuing operations                   695         1,053

Loss from discontinued operations                    (1)          (11)

Cumulative effect of accounting change             ( 47)            -
                                                -------       -------

NET INCOME                                         $647        $1,042
                                                =======       =======

Earnings (loss) per common share:
   Basic:
     Income from continuing operations             $.82         $1.21
     Loss from discontinued operations                -          (.01)
     Cumulative effect of accounting
      change                                       (.06)            -
                                                -------       -------
        Net income                                 $.76         $1.20
                                                =======       =======

   Diluted:
     Income from continuing operations             $.82         $1.20
     Loss from discontinued operations                -          (.01)
     Cumulative effect of accounting
      change                                       (.06)            -
                                                -------       -------
        Net income                                 $.76         $1.19
                                                =======       =======

Average number of shares used to compute:
   Basic earnings per common share          849,336,567   869,650,782
   Diluted earnings per common share        851,679,620   877,393,050

Common stock outstanding at the end of
 the period                                 864,759,968   870,152,606

Shipments of aluminum products (metric
 tons)                                        3,624,000     3,833,000

(a) Prior periods have been adjusted to reflect the reclassification
    of the protective packaging business from continuing operations to
    discontinued operations in the third quarter of 2004.



Alcoa and subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (unaudited)
(in millions)

                                  December 31   June 30   September 30
                                     2003 (b)  2004 (b)       2004
                                  ----------- ----------- ------------
ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents             $576        $466         $561
  Receivables from customers, less
   allowances:
     $105 in 2003, $103 in 2Q
      2004, and $97 in 3Q 2004         2,559       2,973        3,013
  Other receivables                      351         296          224
  Inventories                          2,554       2,850        2,995
  Deferred income taxes                  267         237          225
  Prepaid expenses and other
   current assets                        502         642          779
                                  ----------- ----------- ------------
     Total current assets              6,809       7,464        7,797
                                  ----------- ----------- ------------

Properties, plants and equipment,
 at cost                              24,883      24,771       25,132
Less: accumulated depreciation,
 depletion and amortization           12,342      12,571       12,880
                                  ----------- ----------- ------------
Net properties, plants and
 equipment                            12,541      12,200       12,252
                                  ----------- ----------- ------------
Goodwill                               6,549       6,553        6,575
Other assets                           5,320       5,366        5,642
Assets held for sale                     492          84           42
                                  ----------- ----------- ------------
     Total assets                    $31,711     $31,667      $32,308
                                  =========== =========== ============

LIABILITIES
Current liabilities:
  Short-term borrowings                  $56         $54          $44
  Accounts payable, trade              1,982       2,247        2,416
  Accrued compensation and
   retirement costs                      952       1,000        1,042
  Taxes, including taxes on income       701         802          956
  Other current liabilities              881         842        1,074
  Long-term debt due within one
   year                                  523         498          497
                                  ----------- ----------- ------------
     Total current liabilities         5,095       5,443        6,029
                                  ----------- ----------- ------------
Long-term debt, less amount due
 within one year                       6,693       6,329        6,108
Accrued postretirement benefits        2,220       2,199        2,178
Other noncurrent liabilities and
 deferred credits                      3,390       3,367        3,274
Deferred income taxes                    805         742          790
Liabilities of operations held for
 sale                                     93          14           12
                                  ----------- ----------- ------------
     Total liabilities                18,296      18,094       18,391
                                  ----------- ----------- ------------

MINORITY INTERESTS                     1,340       1,298        1,362
                                  ----------- ----------- ------------

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock                           55          55           55
Common stock                             925         925          925
Additional capital                     5,831       5,791        5,788
Retained earnings                      7,850       8,347        8,367
Treasury stock, at cost               (2,017)     (1,971)      (1,956)
Accumulated other comprehensive
 loss                                   (569)       (872)        (624)
                                  ----------- ----------- ------------
     Total shareholders' equity       12,075      12,275       12,555
                                  ----------- ----------- ------------
     Total liabilities and equity    $31,711     $31,667      $32,308
                                  =========== =========== ============

(b) Prior periods have been adjusted to reflect the reclassification
    of the protective packaging business from continuing operations to
    discontinued operations in the third quarter of 2004.



Alcoa and subsidiaries
Segment Information (unaudited)
(in millions, except metric ton amounts and realized prices)

Consolidated
 Third-Party
 Revenues:     1Q03   2Q03   3Q03   4Q03    2003    1Q04   2Q04   3Q04
               ----   ----   ----   ----    ----    ----   ----   ----
 Alumina and
  Chemicals    $449   $491   $526   $536  $2,002    $463   $486   $490
 Primary
  Metals        732    805    816    876   3,229     878    959    930
 Flat-Rolled
  Products    1,152  1,200  1,176  1,287   4,815   1,450  1,490  1,520
 Engineered
  Products    1,390  1,455  1,369  1,375   5,589   1,523  1,598  1,583
 Packaging
  and
  Consumer (3)  727    811    787    788   3,113     721    821    797
 Other          668    710    636    640   2,654     638    716    655
----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total    $5,118 $5,472 $5,310 $5,502 $21,402  $5,673 $6,070 $5,975
======================================================================

Consolidated
 Intersegment
 Revenues:     1Q03   2Q03   3Q03   4Q03    2003    1Q04   2Q04   3Q04
               ----   ----   ----   ----    ----    ----   ----   ----
 Alumina and
  Chemicals    $240   $248   $258   $275  $1,021    $338   $349   $341
 Primary Metals 840    690    740    828   3,098   1,038  1,129  1,039
 Flat-Rolled
  Products       20     15     17     14      66      23     23     25
 Engineered
  Products        9      5      5      5      24       4      5      4
 Packaging and
  Consumer        -      -      -      -       -       -      -      -
 Other            -      -      -      -       -       -      -      -
----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total    $1,109   $958 $1,020 $1,122  $4,209  $1,403 $1,506 $1,409
======================================================================

Consolidated
 Third-Party
 Shipments
 (Kmt):        1Q03   2Q03   3Q03   4Q03    2003    1Q04   2Q04   3Q04
               ----   ----   ----   ----    ----    ----   ----   ----
  Alumina and
   Chemicals  1,794  1,939  1,982  1,956   7,671   1,718  1,796  1,833
  Primary
   Metals       453    495    488    516   1,952     469    472    459
  Flat-Rolled
   Products     434    453    450    482   1,819     515    517    521
  Engineered
   Products     223    221    222    213     879     234    239    234
  Packaging and
   Consumer      36     42     40     49     167      38     41     39
  Other (1)      22     20     25     20      87      16     18     21
----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total
    Aluminum
    (1)       1,168  1,231  1,225  1,280   4,904   1,272  1,287  1,274
======================================================================

Alcoa's average
 realized price-
 Primary (2)  $0.69  $0.68  $0.71  $0.73   $0.70   $0.81  $0.85  $0.85
======================================================================

After-Tax
 Operating
 Income
 (ATOI):       1Q03   2Q03   3Q03   4Q03    2003    1Q04   2Q04   3Q04
               ----   ----   ----   ----    ----    ----   ----   ----
 Alumina and
  Chemicals     $91    $89   $113   $122    $415    $127   $159   $169
 Primary Metals 166    162    163    166     657     192    230    188
 Flat-Rolled
  Products       53     56     59     53     221      66     59     62
 Engineered
  Products       29     46     47     33     155      62     78     60
 Packaging and
  Consumer (3)   51     56     56     51     214      35     54     41
 Other            9     17      8     17      51      18     30     12
----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total      $399   $426   $446   $442  $1,713    $500   $610   $532
======================================================================

Reconciliation
 of ATOI to
 consolidated
 net income
 (3):          1Q03   2Q03   3Q03   4Q03    2003    1Q04   2Q04   3Q04
               ----   ----   ----   ----    ----    ----   ----   ----
 Total ATOI    $399   $426   $446   $442  $1,713    $500   $610   $532
 Impact of
  intersegment
  profit
  adjustments     7     (4)     2      4       9      23      8      3
 Unallocated
  amounts (net
  of tax):
   Interest
    income        5      6      7      6      24       7      5      8
   Interest
    expense     (57)   (52)   (49)   (46)   (204)    (41)   (45)  (44)
   Minority
    interests   (59)   (75)   (54)   (43)   (231)    (50)   (73)  (71)
   Corporate
    expense     (57)   (81)   (65)   (84)   (287)    (74)   (63)  (68)
   Restructuring
    and other
    charges       4     (2)    (1)    25      26      31     (4)   (3)
   Discontinued
    operations    4      -     (5)   (48)    (49)      5     (1)  (15)
   Accounting
    change      (47)     -      -      -     (47)      -      -     -
   Other        (48)    (2)    (1)    35     (16)    (46)   (33)  (59)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
 Consolidated
  net income   $151   $216   $280   $291    $938    $355   $404   $283
----------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) Third party aluminum shipments for periods prior to 2Q04 have been
    properly adjusted to reflect international selling company
    activity.

(2) Alcoa's average realized price for 1Q04 has been adjusted from the
    previously reported amount to reflect the elimination of certain
    previously misclassified intercompany activity.

(3) Prior periods have been adjusted to reflect the reclassification
    of the protective packaging business from continuing operations to
    discontinued operations in the third quarter of 2004.



SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Alcoa and subsidiaries
Net Income and EPS Information (unaudited)
(in millions, except per-share amounts)


                                         Net Income      Diluted EPS
                                       -------------------------------
                                       3Q03 2Q04 3Q04  3Q03 2Q04 3Q04
----------------------------------------------------------------------
GAAP Net income                        $280 $404 $283  $.33 $.46 $.32
   Discontinued operations - operating
    loss                                  5    1    -
   Discontinued operations - loss on
     divestitures                         -    -   15
----------------------------------------------------------------------
GAAP income from continuing operations $285 $405 $298  $.33 $.46 $.34
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Restructuring and other charges (2):
   Restructurings                         1    3    4
   Loss on divestitures                   -    1    -
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from continuing operations
   excluding restructuring and
   other charges (1)                   $286 $409 $302  $.33 $.47 $.34
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Average diluted shares outstanding                      859  877  877
----------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) Alcoa believes that income from continuing operations excluding
    restructuring and other charges is a measure that should be
    presented in addition to income from continuing operations
    determined in accordance with GAAP. The following matters should
    be considered when evaluating this non-GAAP financial measure:

    --  Alcoa reviews the operating results of its businesses
        excluding the impacts of restructurings and divestitures.
        Excluding the impacts of these charges can provide an
        additional basis of comparison. Management believes that these
        charges are unusual in nature, and would not be indicative of
        ongoing operating results. As a result, management believes
        these charges should be considered in order to compare past,
        current, and future periods.

    --  The economic impacts of the restructuring and divestiture
        charges are described in the footnotes to Alcoa's financial
        statements. Generally speaking, charges associated with
        restructurings include cash and non-cash charges and are the
        result of employee layoff, plant consolidation of assets, or
        plant closure costs. These actions are taken in order to
        achieve a lower cost base for future operating results.

    --  Charges associated with divestitures principally represent
        adjustments to the carrying value of certain assets and
        liabilities and do not typically require a cash payment. These
        actions are taken primarily for strategic reasons as the
        company has decided not to participate in this portion of the
        portfolio of businesses.

    --  Restructuring and divestiture charges are typically material
        and are considered to be outside the normal operations of a
        business. Corporate management is responsible for making
        decisions about restructurings and divestitures.

    --  There can be no assurance that additional restructurings and
        divestitures will not occur in future periods. To compensate
        for this limitation, management believes that it is
        appropriate to consider both income from continuing operations
        determined under GAAP as well as income from continuing
        operations excluding restructuring and other charges.

(2) Restructuring and other charges totaled $4 of expense for the
    third quarter of 2004 ($4 after taxes and minority interests). The
    amount principally represents layoff charges.



Alcoa and subsidiaries
Calculation of Financial Measures (unaudited)
(in millions)


              Return on Capital

                              Trailing
                            Four Quarters
                            -------------
Net Income                    $  1,333

Minority Interest                  237

Interest Expense                   199
                              --------
(After taxes of 27.8%)

Numerator (Sum Total)         $  1,769

Average Balances (1)
Short Term Borrowings             $370
Long Term Borrowings             6,883
Preferred Equity                    55
Minority Interest                1,321
Common Equity                   11,781
                              --------

Denominator (Sum Total)       $ 20,410
                              --------

Return on Capital                  8.7%

(1) Calculated as (September 2003 ending balance + September 2004
    ending balance) divided by 2.