Latest news with #QassimCement
Arab News
7 hours ago
- Business
- Arab News
Giga-projects power 6.4% jump in Saudi Arabia's Q1 cement sales to 13.4m tonnes
RIYADH: Cement sales in Saudi Arabia climbed 6.4 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2025 to 13.4 million tonnes, driven by a construction surge tied to Vision 2030 megaprojects. According to data from Al Yamama Cement covering the Kingdom's 17 producers, local sales accounted for nearly 13 million tonnes, while exports edged up to 408,000 tonnes. Al Yamama Cement led the domestic market with 1.68 million tonnes, followed by Saudi Cement at 1.33 million tonnes and Qassim Cement with 1.25 million tonnes. Saudi Arabia is powering through the largest construction surge in its history, a pillar of the Vision 2030 diversification plan. A Bloomberg report this month valued the live roster of real estate and infrastructure schemes at roughly $1.3 trillion, ranging from Riyadh's driverless metro grid and entertainment hubs like Qiddiya to the brand-new cities of NEOM on the Red Sea coast and New Murabba in the capital's northwest. Those giga-projects, along with heritage revamps such as Diriyah Gate and the Red Sea's string of luxury resorts, have now moved well beyond site grading and piling. Gulf Construction, a trade journal for the building and construction industries, noted in May that major project packages are entering the concrete-intensive vertical-build phase, where tower cores, bridge piers, and precast facades consume significantly more cement and clinker than earlier earthworks. In short, the Kingdom's transition from drawing board to steel-and-concrete reality is fueling an insatiable appetite for building materials — and cement producers are gearing up their kilns to meet it. Momentum kept building after March. Domestic sales jumped 42.9 percent year on year to 4.18 million tonnes in April, while exports rose 26.9 percent to 703,000 tonnes, according to Al Jazira Capital's latest dispatch survey. Contractors are pouring concrete early, keen to stay ahead of the summer heat and tighten project timelines. Profits do not rise equally Higher volumes did not translate into across-the-board gains. International Cement Review's CemNet bulletin said in June that sector-wide net profit fell 16 percent in the first quarter to about SR648 million ($173 million) despite stronger turnover. Yamama Cement posted about SR142 million in earnings — up 23 percent — while Saudi Cement slipped nearly 5 percent to SR108 million. Qassim Cement improved 27 percent to roughly SR94 million, but Al Jouf Cement stayed in the red at around SR15 million. Producers faced an added challenge from Saudi Aramco's fuel price revision, effective Jan. 1, which several companies warned would raise kiln fuel costs by around 10 percent. Inventory cushions remain thick. Al Yamama figures show Yanbu holding 18.9 million tonnes of clinker at end-March, with Southern Province close behind on 18.1 million tonnes. Across the sector, stockpiles cover roughly nine months of normal domestic demand, allowing firms to throttle kilns if margins tighten. Modern kilns slash fuel use According to Global Cement's April report, engineering firm Sinoma has finished erecting a new preheater tower as part of Yamama Cement's relocation and upgrade project south of Riyadh. The upgrade increases the former 10,000-tonne-per-day line to 12,500 tonnes, with Sinoma noting it had to dismantle, relocate, and integrate large equipment while installing the latest kiln technology. Completion of the tower clears the way for commissioning and final handover of the higher-capacity, fuel-efficient plant. The efficiency drive extends to the Red Sea coast, where Yanbu Cement's 34 megawatts waste-heat-recovery system already supplies about a quarter of the plant's electricity. The upgrades are crucial because older kiln designs waste a great deal of fuel. According to the European Cement Association, long-dry kilns consume about one-third more energy than the latest preheater–pre-calciner models, while old wet kilns can burn up to 85 percent more. By contrast, modern PH-PC lines require only about 3.3 gigajoules of heat to produce one tonne of clinker — roughly the energy contained in 30 litres of petrol. Transitioning from long-dry or wet kilns to PH-PC technology significantly reduces fuel consumption, lowers production costs, and cuts carbon emissions — all critical advantages as energy prices continue to rise. With Saudi Aramco's January fuel-tariff hike expected to raise kiln-energy bills by around 10 percent, plants that already sip less fuel will feel the pinch far less — and that cost edge is flowing straight into sharper export offers, reinforcing the Kingdom's competitive position in nearby markets.
Asharq Al-Awsat
6 days ago
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Cement Sales Top $800 Million in Q1 Despite Profit Dip
Saudi Arabia's cement sector delivered strong top-line growth in the first quarter of 2025, with total sales surpassing $800 million (SAR3 billion), reflecting an 8.5% year-on-year increase. However, rising operational costs weighed on bottom lines, with industry-wide net profits slipping 16.3% to $182 million (SAR648 million), down from SAR774 million a year earlier. Among the 14 publicly listed cement producers on the Saudi exchange, 13 posted net profits during the first quarter. The exception was Al Jouf Cement, which recorded a loss of SAR 15.2 million. The company attributed its ongoing losses to rising production expenses, increased marketing costs, and higher financing burdens. Yamama Cement emerged as the most profitable firm, reporting SAR142 million in net income, a 23.5% jump from Q1 2024. The company credited the gains to both increased sales volumes and improved average selling prices. Saudi Cement posted the second-highest profit at SAR108 million, though this represented a 4.7% decline year-on-year. The drop was attributed to lower sales volumes, declining revenue from secondary sources, and higher general and administrative expenses. Qassim Cement ranked third, with SAR94 million in profit, up 26.8% from the same period last year. The company cited stronger sales and reduced operating costs, including sales and administrative expenses. According to Dr. Suleiman Al-Khalidi, a financial analyst and member of the Saudi Economic Association, the Q1 performance reflects improving conditions for the cement industry after years of volatility. 'We are witnessing signs of stabilization, with companies optimizing operational costs and improving efficiency,' he said. Al-Khalidi forecasts steady growth in domestic cement demand, driven by large-scale infrastructure initiatives tied to Vision 2030, such as NEOM, Qiddiya, and the Red Sea Project. He also pointed to upcoming global events and housing expansions as key demand drivers. He noted that ongoing market momentum may prompt mergers and strategic alliances within the sector, increasing competitiveness and scale. Mohamed Omar, CEO of G World and a regional economic analyst, described the sector's combined SAR656 million in Q1 profits as a sign of solid demand and improving market stability. 'The growth is supported by a rise in mega-projects, public infrastructure investment, and a resurgence in the private construction sector,' he said. Omar expects the positive trend to continue but cautioned that cement producers must remain agile in the face of rising energy and raw material costs. He urged companies to invest in energy-efficient and environmentally friendly technologies to sustain margins.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Undiscovered Gems In The Middle East To Explore May 2025
The Middle East stock markets have recently experienced a downturn, with Saudi Arabia's index logging its worst session in six weeks and UAE indices also closing lower, amid global fiscal concerns and fluctuating oil exports. In this challenging environment, identifying promising stocks involves focusing on companies that demonstrate resilience through strong fundamentals and potential for growth despite external pressures. Name Debt To Equity Revenue Growth Earnings Growth Health Rating Alf Meem Yaa for Medical Supplies and Equipment NA 17.03% 18.37% ★★★★★★ MOBI Industry 6.50% 5.60% 24.00% ★★★★★★ Baazeem Trading 6.93% -1.88% -2.38% ★★★★★★ Nofoth Food Products NA 14.41% 31.88% ★★★★★★ Saudi Azm for Communication and Information Technology 2.07% 16.18% 21.11% ★★★★★★ National General Insurance (P.J.S.C.) NA 14.55% 29.05% ★★★★★☆ MIA Teknoloji Anonim Sirketi 14.46% 58.05% 72.63% ★★★★★☆ Amanat Holdings PJSC 11.28% 31.80% 1.00% ★★★★★☆ Waja 23.81% 98.44% 14.54% ★★★★☆☆ National Corporation for Tourism and Hotels 19.25% 0.67% 4.89% ★★★★☆☆ Click here to see the full list of 236 stocks from our Middle Eastern Undiscovered Gems With Strong Fundamentals screener. We're going to check out a few of the best picks from our screener tool. Simply Wall St Value Rating: ★★★★★☆ Overview: Qassim Cement Company operates in the manufacturing and selling of cement within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a market capitalization of SAR5.71 billion. Operations: Qassim Cement generates revenue primarily from the manufacturing and selling of cement, amounting to SAR1.07 billion. Qassim Cement, a notable player in the Middle East's cement industry, reported impressive earnings growth of 99.2% last year, outpacing the Basic Materials sector's 38.5%. Despite this surge, future earnings are expected to decline by an average of 1% annually over the next three years. The company's debt-to-equity ratio rose slightly to 0.3% over five years, yet interest payments remain well-covered at 170 times by EBIT. Recent results showed Q1 sales at SAR 302.68 million and net income at SAR 94.08 million with a dividend declaration of SAR 0.80 per share for June payout reflecting solid shareholder returns. Delve into the full analysis health report here for a deeper understanding of Qassim Cement. Examine Qassim Cement's past performance report to understand how it has performed in the past. Simply Wall St Value Rating: ★★★★☆☆ Overview: The Al Rajhi REIT Fund is a Sharia-compliant investment fund listed on Tadawul, focusing on generating periodic income by investing in income-generating real estate assets in Saudi Arabia, with a market cap of SAR2.30 billion. Operations: The fund generates revenue primarily from its commercial real estate investments, amounting to SAR260.26 million. Al Rajhi REIT Fund, a noteworthy player in the Middle East's investment landscape, has shown impressive earnings growth of 148% over the past year, significantly outpacing the REIT industry's -14%. The fund's debt management appears robust with a reduction in its debt-to-equity ratio from 50.1% to 39.8% over five years and an interest coverage by EBIT at 3.2 times. Despite a one-off gain of SAR65 million affecting recent results, it trades nearly half below estimated fair value, suggesting potential upside for investors seeking undervalued opportunities in this sector. Unlock comprehensive insights into our analysis of Al Rajhi REIT Fund stock in this health report. Explore historical data to track Al Rajhi REIT Fund's performance over time in our Past section. Simply Wall St Value Rating: ★★★★☆☆ Overview: Perfect Presentation for Commercial Services Company is an ICT services and technology solutions provider in Saudi Arabia with a market capitalization of SAR3.54 billion. Operations: The company generates revenue primarily from Maintenance and Operation Services (SAR373.83 million), Call Centre Services (SAR313.34 million), and Software Licenses and Development Services (SAR309.24 million). Managed Services contribute SAR116.24 million, while Mother Services Social add SAR28.33 million to the total revenue stream. Perfect Presentation for Commercial Services has been making waves with recent contracts, including a SAR 86 million project to maintain digital infrastructure across 48 hospitals over five years. The company's earnings grew by 27% last year, outpacing the IT sector's average growth of 26%. Its net debt to equity ratio stands at a high 71%, though it has decreased from 77% over five years. Despite not being free cash flow positive recently, its price-to-earnings ratio of 21x remains attractive compared to the Saudi market's average. These factors suggest both opportunities and challenges for this emerging player in the Middle East. Take a closer look at Perfect Presentation for Commercial Services' potential here in our health report. Review our historical performance report to gain insights into Perfect Presentation for Commercial Services''s past performance. Click through to start exploring the rest of the 233 Middle Eastern Undiscovered Gems With Strong Fundamentals now. Hold shares in these firms? Setup your portfolio in Simply Wall St to seamlessly track your investments and receive personalized updates on your portfolio's performance. Take control of your financial future using Simply Wall St, offering free, in-depth knowledge of international markets to every investor. Explore high-performing small cap companies that haven't yet garnered significant analyst attention. Fuel your portfolio with companies showing strong growth potential, backed by optimistic outlooks both from analysts and management. Find companies with promising cash flow potential yet trading below their fair value. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include SASE:3040 SASE:4340 and SASE:7204. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Undiscovered Gems In The Middle East To Explore May 2025
The Middle East stock markets have recently experienced a downturn, with Saudi Arabia's index logging its worst session in six weeks and UAE indices also closing lower, amid global fiscal concerns and fluctuating oil exports. In this challenging environment, identifying promising stocks involves focusing on companies that demonstrate resilience through strong fundamentals and potential for growth despite external pressures. Name Debt To Equity Revenue Growth Earnings Growth Health Rating Alf Meem Yaa for Medical Supplies and Equipment NA 17.03% 18.37% ★★★★★★ MOBI Industry 6.50% 5.60% 24.00% ★★★★★★ Baazeem Trading 6.93% -1.88% -2.38% ★★★★★★ Nofoth Food Products NA 14.41% 31.88% ★★★★★★ Saudi Azm for Communication and Information Technology 2.07% 16.18% 21.11% ★★★★★★ National General Insurance (P.J.S.C.) NA 14.55% 29.05% ★★★★★☆ MIA Teknoloji Anonim Sirketi 14.46% 58.05% 72.63% ★★★★★☆ Amanat Holdings PJSC 11.28% 31.80% 1.00% ★★★★★☆ Waja 23.81% 98.44% 14.54% ★★★★☆☆ National Corporation for Tourism and Hotels 19.25% 0.67% 4.89% ★★★★☆☆ Click here to see the full list of 236 stocks from our Middle Eastern Undiscovered Gems With Strong Fundamentals screener. We're going to check out a few of the best picks from our screener tool. Simply Wall St Value Rating: ★★★★★☆ Overview: Qassim Cement Company operates in the manufacturing and selling of cement within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a market capitalization of SAR5.71 billion. Operations: Qassim Cement generates revenue primarily from the manufacturing and selling of cement, amounting to SAR1.07 billion. Qassim Cement, a notable player in the Middle East's cement industry, reported impressive earnings growth of 99.2% last year, outpacing the Basic Materials sector's 38.5%. Despite this surge, future earnings are expected to decline by an average of 1% annually over the next three years. The company's debt-to-equity ratio rose slightly to 0.3% over five years, yet interest payments remain well-covered at 170 times by EBIT. Recent results showed Q1 sales at SAR 302.68 million and net income at SAR 94.08 million with a dividend declaration of SAR 0.80 per share for June payout reflecting solid shareholder returns. Delve into the full analysis health report here for a deeper understanding of Qassim Cement. Examine Qassim Cement's past performance report to understand how it has performed in the past. Simply Wall St Value Rating: ★★★★☆☆ Overview: The Al Rajhi REIT Fund is a Sharia-compliant investment fund listed on Tadawul, focusing on generating periodic income by investing in income-generating real estate assets in Saudi Arabia, with a market cap of SAR2.30 billion. Operations: The fund generates revenue primarily from its commercial real estate investments, amounting to SAR260.26 million. Al Rajhi REIT Fund, a noteworthy player in the Middle East's investment landscape, has shown impressive earnings growth of 148% over the past year, significantly outpacing the REIT industry's -14%. The fund's debt management appears robust with a reduction in its debt-to-equity ratio from 50.1% to 39.8% over five years and an interest coverage by EBIT at 3.2 times. Despite a one-off gain of SAR65 million affecting recent results, it trades nearly half below estimated fair value, suggesting potential upside for investors seeking undervalued opportunities in this sector. Unlock comprehensive insights into our analysis of Al Rajhi REIT Fund stock in this health report. Explore historical data to track Al Rajhi REIT Fund's performance over time in our Past section. Simply Wall St Value Rating: ★★★★☆☆ Overview: Perfect Presentation for Commercial Services Company is an ICT services and technology solutions provider in Saudi Arabia with a market capitalization of SAR3.54 billion. Operations: The company generates revenue primarily from Maintenance and Operation Services (SAR373.83 million), Call Centre Services (SAR313.34 million), and Software Licenses and Development Services (SAR309.24 million). Managed Services contribute SAR116.24 million, while Mother Services Social add SAR28.33 million to the total revenue stream. Perfect Presentation for Commercial Services has been making waves with recent contracts, including a SAR 86 million project to maintain digital infrastructure across 48 hospitals over five years. The company's earnings grew by 27% last year, outpacing the IT sector's average growth of 26%. Its net debt to equity ratio stands at a high 71%, though it has decreased from 77% over five years. Despite not being free cash flow positive recently, its price-to-earnings ratio of 21x remains attractive compared to the Saudi market's average. These factors suggest both opportunities and challenges for this emerging player in the Middle East. Take a closer look at Perfect Presentation for Commercial Services' potential here in our health report. Review our historical performance report to gain insights into Perfect Presentation for Commercial Services''s past performance. Click through to start exploring the rest of the 233 Middle Eastern Undiscovered Gems With Strong Fundamentals now. Hold shares in these firms? Setup your portfolio in Simply Wall St to seamlessly track your investments and receive personalized updates on your portfolio's performance. Take control of your financial future using Simply Wall St, offering free, in-depth knowledge of international markets to every investor. Explore high-performing small cap companies that haven't yet garnered significant analyst attention. Fuel your portfolio with companies showing strong growth potential, backed by optimistic outlooks both from analysts and management. Find companies with promising cash flow potential yet trading below their fair value. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include SASE:3040 SASE:4340 and SASE:7204. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@ Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data
Zawya
21-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi's Qassim Cement to disburse 8% of capital as dividends for Q1-25
Riyadh: Qassim Cement Company announced cash dividends to its shareholders amounting to SAR 87.80 million, representing 8% of the capital, for the first quarter (Q1) of 2025. Qassim Cement will disburse a dividend of SAR 0.80 per share for 109.76 million eligible shares, according to a bourse disclosure. Eligibility and distribution dates for the dividends will be 26 May and 16 June 2025, respectively. Financials The Tadawul-listed company recorded 26.75% year-on-year (YoY) higher net profits at SAR 94.08 million in Q1-25, compared to SAR 74.22 million. Revenues hiked by 54.10% YoY to SAR 302.68 million as of 31 March 2025 from SAR 196.41 million.
