Metal manufacturer Alcoa (NYSE:AA), Pittsburgh, PA, reported sales for the third quarter of $5.2 billion, down 6 percent from the same period a year ago. Profit increased to $166 million, compared to $44 million the prior year.

The decrease in sales were largely due to the impact of curtailed and closed operations, lower alumina pricing as well as other pricing pressures.

For the first nine months, sales were $15.5 billion, down 11.9 percent year over year. Profit for the period decreased 16.4 percent to $317 million.