Alcoa Sees Renewed Buying Interest From Aluminum Distributors

May 29 (Bloomberg) -- Alcoa Inc., the largest U.S. aluminum producer, said distributors of the lightweight metal are showing renewed buying interest after seeing signs that demand will revive. Metal distributors have “seen some green shoots” and are concerned they won’t be able to cover orders once demand returns because their inventories are near zero, Alcoa Chief Executive Officer Klaus Kleinfeld said today in a presentation at a Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. conference in New York. “The distribution chain will generate this giant sucking sound of demand,” Kleinfeld said. Alcoa has cut costs enough to stop losing money by the end of this year even if aluminum prices remain at current levels, Kleinfeld said. The company may be “cash-flow positive” by 2010, he said.