Doha – Mubasher: Qatar National Cement on Thursday reported a profit increase of 14.4% in the fourth quarter of 2016, compared with the same period of 2015.

Profits reached QAR 119.62 million ($32.82 million) in Q4-16, compared with QAR 104.6 million ($28.7 million) in Q4-15, according to a bourse filling.

As for the full fiscal year, profits rose 2.5% in 2016 to QAR 475.1 million from QAR 463.55 million in 2015.

Earnings per share (EPS) amounted to QAR 8.00 in 2016, versus QAR 7.80 last year, the statement showed.

The company’s board recommended a distribution of 40% in cash dividends and 10% bonus shares to shareholders for 2016.

By 11:20am Qatar time, the company's stock jumped 4.54% to QAR 92.2 after 267,220 shares traded with a value of QAR 24.13 million during Thursday’s trading.