Saudi cement producer Qassim Cement Co (QCC) posted a 5.3 per cent rise in net profit to SAR307.4m (US$82m) for the first half of 2012, up from SAR291.8m a year ago, which the company attributed to an increased rise in sales.

Earnings per share (EPS) stood at SAR 3.42, compared with SAR 3.24.

QCC registered an operating profit of SAR 315.5m for the six months to June 2012, up from SAR297.2m a year earlier.