-- SNB Capital said Saudi Industrial Investment Group (SASE:2250), d/b/a SIIG, posted "exceptional" first-quarter earnings in a Sunday results analysis.
The petrochemical industry-focused investor's net profit for the March quarter reached 252 million Saudi riyals, significantly higher than the research firm's estimate of 3.7 million riyals and the market consensus of 28.6 million riyals.
"We believe the higher-than-expected profits and growth are mainly due to higher profits from JVs driven by 1) higher selling prices particularly for the products shipped before the conflict (and realized the strong prices of March), 2) higher local sales (mainly for AHM) and 3) a decrease in depreciation costs due to an accounting reassessment," SNB Capital said in the note.
The stock has a neutral rating and a price target of 14.5 riyals.