NCB Cap issues Q4 forecasts; SABIC seen 37% higher

NCB Capital has issued its fourth quarter profit estimates for Tadawul-listed companies under its coverage.

Saudi Basic Industries Corp.’s (SABIC) Q4 profit is forecast to rise 37 percent year-on-year (YoY) to SAR 5.02 billion in Q4 2018.

Al Rajhi Bank is forecast to see a 9 percent profit increase YoY to SAR 2.7 billion in the three-month period.  

Advanced Petrochemical Co. is projected to report the largest growth among peers of 83 percent YoY to SAR 190 million.

Saudi International Petrochemical Co.’s (Sipchem) net earnings are estimated to drop by 52 percent YoY to SAR 79 million.

Riyad Bank is expected to see a 22 percent profit surge YoY in the same period. Samba Financial Group’s net profit is forecast to increase 17 percent YoY to SAR 1.42 billion in Q4. Meanwhile, Alawwal Bank is to report net earnings of SAR 284 million, down by 13 percent YoY.

Saudi Telecom Co. (STC) is seen to post a profit rise of 13 percent YoY to SAR 2.99 billion.

Saudi Electricity Co., however, is likely to post a net loss of SAR 1.7 billion in Q4.

Forecasts were negative for all cement producers under coverage, except for Eastern province Cement, which is forecast to report a 157 percent YoY rise in Q4 net profit to SAR 20 million.

Almarai’s net profit is forecast to decrease by 5 percent YoY.

Elsewhere, Abdullah Al Othaim Markets and Jarir Marketing Co. are forecast to post 7 percent and 8 percent profit rise YoY, respectively in Q4.

*Q3 2018 (fiscal year ends March 31)