HEADLINE STOCKS-Some U.S. stocks to watch on July 8

NEW YORK, July 8 (Reuters) - Some U.S. stocks to watch on Wednesday:

ALCOA INC (AA.N)

The aluminum company is scheduled to report its quarterly results after the closing bell, unofficially kicking off the second-quarter earnings season.

Shares of the Dow component rose 0.6 percent to $9.47 in premarket trading.

GOOGLE INC (GOOG.O)

The Internet search company is planning to launch a personal computer operating system in the second half of 2010, a move that takes direct aim at Microsoft's (MSFT.O) Windows product. [ID:nL8468341]

Shares of Google closed Tuesday at $396.63.

FAMILY DOLLAR STORES INC (FDO.N)

The company reported third-quarter results that beat expectations.

Shares gained 8.1 percent to $30 in premarket trading.

PEPSI BOTTLING GROUP INC (PBG.N)

The company reported an increase in its second-quarter earnings and forecast full-year earnings at the high end of its previously-given outlook. [ID:nBNG152635]

Shares closed Tuesday at $33.65.

LAS VEGAS SANDS (LVS.N)

The casino firm is looking to raise $3-4 billion through various fund raising initiatives, including a possible IPO of its Macau assets in Hong Kong, Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson said on Wednesday. [ID:nSIN441766]

Shares closed Tuesday at $6.90.