The Southern Province Cement Company reported earnings results for second quarter and the six months ended June 30, 2012. The net profit for the second quarter reached SAR 262 million compared to SAR 239 million for the same quarter of previous year, an increase of 9.62%, against a net profit of SAR 284 million for the first quarter of 2012, representing a decrease of 7.75%. The operating profit during the second quarter was SAR 261 million compared to SAR 239 million for the corresponding quarter last year, an increase of 9.21%. The net profit during the six months was SAR 546 million against SAR 465 million for the corresponding period last year, an increase of 17.42%. The earnings per share (EPS) for the six months amounted to SAR 3.90 against SAR 3.32 for the same period of the previous year. The total profit during the six months was SAR 570 million against SAR 493 million for the corresponding period last year, an increase of 15.62 %. The operating profit during the six months was SAR 549 million against SAR 469 million for the corresponding period last year, an increase of 17.06%. The reason behind the rise in net profit for the second quarter and for the six months was due to operating the second production line in Tahama plant, and to the increase in the demand for the cement in the local markets. As for the decrease of the profits of the second quarter compared to the first quarter, it was because of decreasing the sales price according to the decree of the ministry of commerce and industry.