Alcoa posts loss; gives positive aluminum outlook

(Reuters) - Alcoa Inc posted a fourth quarter loss due to a steep plunge in aluminum prices, but its revenue beat expectations and the company gave a positive outlook for global demand for the metal, especially in the aerospace and automotive markets. The largest U.S. aluminum producer forecast 7 percent growth in global aluminum demand this year and said cutbacks in production will result in a global supply deficit of 600,000 tonnes in 2012. Alcoa added that its growth projection was ahead of the 6. ...