HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Alcoa reported better-than-expected profit on the strength of its traditional aluminum smelting 
business. Something it has been trying to shed over the past year as losses mounted.
Second-quarter profit excluding restructuring costs and other one-time items was $.18 a share, the New York-based company said yesterday, beating the 12-cent average of 17 estimates compiled by Bloomberg. Sales were little changed from a year earlier at $5.84 billion, compared with the $5.65 billion average estimate. Alcoa rose 2.3 percent in pre-market trading.
The primary metals unit, which smelts aluminum, had $97 million in after-tax operating earnings compared with a $32 million loss a year before. That boosted Alcoa’s bottom line, even after the segment’s output shrunk as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Klaus Kleinfeld shuttered inefficient plants. Profit was unchanged at the global rolled-products business, which Alcoa is expanding.
Alcoa employes about 75 workers at its finishing plant in Hutchinson. Siemens, Eaton and Union Pacific, all with strong ties to the area, will make their quarterly reports later this month.