Travelers Companies Inc (TRV), The Boeing Company (BA): The Four Biggest Earnings Beats in the Dow Jones Industrial Average 2 Minute (.DJI)

More notably, mortgage fees dropped even as the number of loan originations increased, and with refinancing activity likely to fall as interest rates approach a bottom, JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) could face further revenue challenges that will be likely to fall to the bottom line in the future.

Alcoa is a small player in the Dow Jones Industrial Average 2 Minute (INDEXDJX:.DJI), so all it took was a small beat in absolute terms to equate to a big earnings surprise for the company on a percentage basis. Strong demand for aluminum wheels and aircraft parts resulted from a healthy market in the automotive and aerospace industries, and Alcoa Inc (NYSE:AA) took full advantage of those pockets of strength in overcoming some of the challenges that have resulted from overall weakness in prices for aluminum.

Alcoa Inc (NYSE:AA)’s woes are far from over, as it looks at potentially idling more of its production plants in light of low prices. Yet if recent economic news results in a global economic boost, then Alcoa has positioned itself as well as possible to benefit.

Stay tuned for more surprises
Stocks rarely match expectations perfectly, so keeping your eyes open for unexpected positive surprises is important. Often, unexpected news will change your views on a stock in either direction, and not taking action will cause you to miss out on a lucrative opportunity.

The article The 4 Biggest Earnings Beats in the Dow originally appeared on Fool.com is written by Dan Caplinger.

Fool contributor Dan Caplinger owns warrants on JPMorgan Chase. You can follow him on Twitter: @DanCaplinger. The Motley Fool owns shares of JPMorgan Chase.

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