Australia's Alumina slides to year net loss

MELBOURNE Feb 9 (Reuters) - Australia's Alumina Ltd (AWC.AX) reported a net loss for 2009, hit by a slump in aluminium demand, but reinstated its dividend on Tuesday saying its outlook had improved.

Alumina reported a net loss of A$26 million ($22 million) versus a net profit of A$168 million a year earlier.

It said its underlying loss was A$2 million, compared with a profit of A$202 million in 2008.

The company was forced to scrap its dividend a year ago to conserve cash as the industry suffered a severe downturn.

Alumina is a 40 percent partner in the Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals (AWAC) joint venture with Alcoa (AA.N), which owns 60 percent. (Reporting by Sonali Paul; Editing by Balazs Koranyi)