UAE-based Gulf Cement Co has posted an AED598,270 (US$162,905) net loss in the 2Q19, compared to an AED8.4m profit in the year-ago period. Sales costs increased to AED107m from AED101m.

In the first half of 2019, profit saw a considerable decline of 84 per cent YoY to AED856,500. The company attributed the fall to a two per cent decrease in revenue and a 25 per cent rise in general, administrative and selling expenses to AED12m.