Alcoa forecast to kick off earnings season with profit rise. As always, Alcoa (AA) will unofficially kick off earnings season after the bell today, when it is expected to report that Q3 2011 EPS grew to $0.23 from $0.06 a year earlier and that revenue increased to $6.26B from $5.3B. Alcoa was optimistic in its Q2 report, when it forecast increased aluminum sales across a wide a range of sectors, although today's statement will show whether that upbeat view was justified or has since been undermined by the softening economy. In Q3, Alcoa's shares plummeted 40%, due to lower aluminum prices and weakening European demand