Saudi Arabia: low demand sees Najran Cement 3Q16 profits halved

Lower sales volumes due to a slowdown in construction activity have seen the net profit of Saudi Arabian-based Najran Cement halve YoY from SAR32.07m (US$8.55m) in 3Q15 to SAR15.36m in 3Q16.

The profit fall came despite lower selling and distribution expenses, Zakat (tax) as well as higher other revenues.

As for the nine-month period ended 30 September 2016, the Saudi cement producer reported a net profit of SAR110m, down 45.5 per cent from SAR201.89m in the same period in 2015.