Saudi cement producer Yamama Cement Company (YCC) posted a net profit of 206.9 mln Saudi riyals (US$55.2m) for the first half of 2005, down 40.3 per cent year-on-year. The decrease came despite the 2.5 rise in gross profit to 224.7 mln riyals (US$59.9m) for January to June 2005. The company also registered an 8.5 per cent annual decline in total operating expenses to 17.8 mln riyals (US$4.7m) in the first six months of 2005.