Wednesday's Early Winners & Losers

Alcoa (AA Quote) spiked nearly 5% in after-hours trading Tuesday as the aluminum-products company powered past fourth-quarter Wall Street projections. Excluding restructuring and impairment charges, the Pittsburgh-based company said it earned $644 million, or 74 cents a share -- 179% more than it did a year ago -- on revenue that rose 20% to $7.8 billion.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial were looking for 65 cents a share on revenue of $7.63 billion. The company also posted 2006 income of $2.5 billion, or $2.90 a share, which represents a 75% jump from last year. Shares were gaining $1.36 to $29.88.

Synchronoss Technologies (SNCR Quote) shares got a boost after the Bridgewater, N.J.-based software company announced that wireless giant Cingular will use its ActivationNow platform for order management related to Apple's (AAPL Quote) new iPhone product. Shares were trading up 75 cents, or 5.1%, to $15.52.

Energy company MDU Resources Group (MDU Quote) rose on news that it's considering selling domestic-power production assets held in its Centennial Energy Resources subsidiary. The Bismarck, N.D.-based company has retained Goldman Sachs as an adviser. Shares were climbing 85 cents, or 3.4%, to $25.75.

Electronics maker Audiovox (VOXX Quote) gained after it swung to a third-quarter profit. The Happauge, N.Y.-based company said it earned $3.9 million, or 17 cents a share, reversing a loss of $10.3 million, or 46 cents a share, a year ago. Analysts were expecting 15 cents a share. Revenue dipped 2.9% to $151.8 million, but that nonetheless beat the $148.8 million consensus. Shares were up 40 cents, or 2.8%, to $14.80.