This Week: Earnings Begin

Today, aluminum-maker Alcoa kicks off the earnings season, which is not expected to be bright. The company last week announced 13,500 layoffs in a weak global environment. Several other firms, in advance of this week's earnings announcements, also have warned investors that earnings will be weaker than originally anticipated, including computer chip maker Intel Corp.

In Washington, while the city is preparing for the huge crowds expected to descend upon the city next week for the presidential inauguration, several appointees of president-elect Barack Obama are scheduled to appear before Congress for confirmation. We expect some of these hearings to be newsy, including Obama's selection to head the Securities and Exchange Commission, Mary L. Schapiro.

Check back here for more live updates today and throughout the week.

--Sara Goo