Wall St Week Ahead: Optimism may extend rally in short week

Alcoa Inc (AA.N) will report results on Tuesday in the unofficial start of first-quarter company results.

But given that the aluminum producer is expected to post another loss, the outlook it provides will be key to investor sentiment.

In the holiday-shortened week, volume could be light, raising the specter of increased volatility as investors look to string together a fifth straight week of gains. Many market participants are likely to be out of the office next week, when Passover begins. Markets will be closed on April 10 for the observance of Good Friday.