Saudi- Mobily's Q4 net profit up 11% to SR 1.88 bn 

(MENAFN - Arab News) Mobily's net profits during the fourth quarter of 2012 were SR 1.88 billion, compared to SR 1.70 billion for the same quarter of the previous year (an increase of 11 percent) and SR 1.51 billion for the previous quarter (an increase of 24 percent), according to an announcement from the company's full year consolidated financial results for the year ending Dec. 31, 2012.

Gross profits during the fourth quarter were SR 3.48 billion, compared to SR 3.09 billion for the same quarter of the previous year (an increase of 13 percent).

Operational profits during the fourth quarter were SR 1.90 billion, compared to SR 1.75 billion for the same quarter of the previous year (an increase of 8 percent). Net profits for the full year were SR 6.02 billion, compared to SR 5.08 billion for the previous year (an increase of 18 percent).

Earnings per share for the full year amounted to SR 8.60, compared to SR 7.26 in 2011.

Gross profits for 2012 were SR 12.03 billion, compared to SR 10.33 billion in 2011 (an increase of 17 percent). Operational profits for 2012 were SR 6.19 billion, compared to SR 5.31 billion in 2011 (an increase of 17 percent).

The increase during the fourth quarter (compared to the same quarter of 2011) is attributable to the rise in data revenues. The number of visitors roaming on the company's network increased by 24 percent, during the Haj season.

The company's revenues increased to SR 23.64 billion, compared to SR 20.05 billion in 2011 (an increase of 18 percent).

Fourth quarter revenues were SR 6.77 billion, compared to SR 5.80 billion in the same period of 2011 (an increase of 17 percent), and compared to SR 6.18 billion for the previous quarter (an increase of 10 percent).

The EBITDA increased to SR 8.59 billion, compared to SR 7.45 billion in 2011, an increase of 15 percent, and with the continuing increase in the sales of smart phones, which carry thin margins the EBITDA margin was 36 percent, compared to 37 percent for 2011 (38 percent for Q4, compared to 40 percent for the corresponding period of the previous year and 36 percent for the previous quarter).

Abdulaziz Saleh Alsaghyir, chairman of the Mobily board of directors, said the company's share increased by 45 percent during 2012 among the highest gains in the telecommunications sector worldwide. He added that if the cash dividend distributed by the company is taken into account, shareholders' returns for 2012 will reach more than 54 percent.

The board of directors, at its meeting held on Jan. 17 has recommended cash dividend distribution of SR 885.50 million for the fourth quarter of 2012, equivalent to SR 1.15 per share, representing 11.50 percent of the nominal value of the share, in addition to the interim dividends of SR 2,100 million in the first three quarters of the year.