Alcoa (NYSE: AA) will report earnings for Q1 today, while analysts caution that it may be challenging to draw comparisons with the results of the previous year. Investors were more focused on the federal government's budget negotiations and upcoming Q2 earnings than on buying or selling stocks. Despite the steep rise in prices, these groups offer investors a better chance of achieving success in the near future due to their ability to counteract the potential inflationary trend discussed at the recent FOMC meeting.