Alumina Ltd
(ASX:AWC) says the outlook for 2010 is looking much more positive for the market with demand expected to increase by 10% on last year.
The company says it is seeing a sluggish recovery in the US, Japan and Europe, but strong growth in India and China.
CEO John Bevan says underlying earnings for Alumina for the year remain in line with guidance, but will continue to be impacted by changes in aluminium prices and exchange rates.
Mr Bevan says the high levels of the Aussie dollar and the Brazilian Real compared with the historical average exchange rate have adversely impacted underlying earnings.
He says an important indicator of the health of its Alcoa World Alumina & Chemicals (AWAC) business is its cash generating capacity.
In the first quarter of 2010, Alumina received $US58 million in dividends.
Alumina reported a loss of $26 million for calendar 2009.
