RIYADH, 17 July 2005 — Saudi Cement Company’s first-half year net profit rose 24 percent to SR248.9 million ($66.4 million) the company said yesterday. Saudi Cement, the Kingdom’s third largest listed cement firm in terms of market capitalization, gave no further details. The company’s results, posted on the stock market website, came during a break in trading. Saudi Cement shares ended yesterday morning trade down 2.17 percent at SR596.5.