Saudi Companies Enter Countdown to Disclose Financial Results

Saudi Companies Enter Countdown to Disclose Financial Results
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Saudi Companies Enter Countdown to Disclose Financial Results

Saudi Companies Enter Countdown to Disclose Financial Results

Saudi firms have started the countdown to announce their financial results for the final quarter of 2019.

Traders of the Saudi stock exchange are anticipating the results of 138 companies whose financial results haven’t been revealed yet. These firms represent 70 percent of the total listed companies.

So far, a total of 61 listed companies announced their results for Q4 2019. The results showed progress in the performance of 39 listed companies during 2019 compared to 2018. This progress is embodied through two types: companies that achieved remarkable growth in financial results for 2019 and companies that managed to reinforce their operating roles.

Amid this anticipation, Tadawul commenced the new month’s trading following sharp setbacks in global markets and oil prices last week. This coincides with the Dow Jones index sliding last Friday from 1,100 points to 357 points.

The performance of the Saudi stock exchange is expected to be more stable and balanced compared to most global financial markets. It managed to maintain a level of 7,500 points, in addition to the fact that the already announced results brought hope to investors.

In this context, the Saudi index closed last week’s trading with a decline of 4.7 percent i.e. 379 points. It closed at 7,628 points compared to last week’s 8,007 points. This was the greatest weekly loss since August.

The value of total trading last week witnessed a remarkable rise of around SAR19.9 billion (USD5.3 billion) compared to around SAR14.17 billion (USD3.77 billion) during the week before. This indicates a rise of 40.4 percent.



Revenue Growth, Improved Operational Efficiency Boost Profitability of Saudi Telecom Companies

A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)
A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)
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Revenue Growth, Improved Operational Efficiency Boost Profitability of Saudi Telecom Companies

A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)
A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)

Telecommunications companies listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) achieved a 12.46 percent growth in their net profits, which reached SAR 4.07 billion ($1.09 billion) during the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 3.62 billion ($965 million) during the same period last year.

They also recorded a 4.76 percent growth in revenues during the same quarter, after achieving sales worth more than SAR 26.18 billion ($7 billion), compared to SAR 24.99 billion ($6.66 billion) in the same quarter of 2023.

The growth in the revenues and net profitability is the result of several factors, including the increase in sales volume and revenues, especially in the business sector and fifth generation services, as well as the decrease in operating expenses and the focus on improving operational efficiency, controlling costs, and moving towards investment in infrastructure.

The sector comprises four companies, three of which conclude their fiscal year in December: Saudi Telecom Company (STC), Mobily, and Zain Saudi Arabia. The fiscal year of Etihad Atheeb Telecommunications Company (GO) ends on March 31.

According to its financial results announced on Tadawul, Etihad Etisalat Company (Mobily) achieved a 33 percent growth rate of profits, bringing its profits to SAR 661 million by the end of the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 497 million during the same period in 2023. The company also achieved a 4.59 percent growth in revenues to reach SAR 4.47 billion, compared to SAR 4.27 billion in the same quarter of last year.

The Saudi Telecom Company achieved the highest net profits among the sector’s companies, at about SAR 3.304 billion in the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 3.008 billion in the same quarter of 2023. The company registered a growth of 4.52 percent in revenues.

On the other hand, the revenues of the Saudi Mobile Telecommunications Company (Zain Saudi Arabia) increased by about 6.69 percent, as it recorded SAR 2.55 billion during the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 2.39 billion in the same period last year.

Commenting on the quarterly results of the sector’s companies, and the varying net profits, the head of asset management at Rassanah Capital, Thamer Al-Saeed, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Saudi Telecom Company remains the sector leader in terms of customer base expansion.

He also noted the continued efforts of Mobily and Zain to offer many diverse products and other services.

Financial advisor at the Arab Trader Mohammed Al-Maymouni said the financial results of telecom sector companies have maintained a steady growth, up to 12 percent, adding that Mobily witnessed strong progress compared to the rest of the companies, despite the great competition which affected its revenues.

He added that Zain was moving at a good pace and its revenues have improved during the second quarter of 2024. However, its profits were affected by an increase in the financing cost by SAR 26.5 million riyals and a rise in interest, while net income declined significantly compared to the previous year, during which the company made exceptional returns.