The largest U.S. chemicals maker's net loss was $1.55 billion, or $1.68 a share, compared with a year-earlier profit of $472 million, or 49 cents a share.

Excluding items, the company posted a loss of 62 cents a share, compared with a year-ago profit of 84 cents a share.

Dow and its peers in the chemical sector have been badly hit by the growing global recession as demand from the construction, electronics and automotive sectors has plummeted.

(Reporting by Euan Rocha; Editing by Derek Caney)

NEW YORK (Reuters)