Doha – Mubasher: Al Khalij Commercial Bank on Wednesday announced a growth of 3.1% in profits for the first quarter of 2017, compared to the same period of 2016.

Profits stood at QAR 160.95 million ($44.17 million) in Q1-17, compared to QAR 156.19 million ($42.87 million) in Q1-16, according to the bank’s financial statements to the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE).

Earnings per share (EPS) amounted QAR 0.45 in Q1-17, compared to QAR 0.43 in the corresponding period of the year before.

The bank had previously reported a drop of 31.8% in profits reaching QAR 426.6 million in 2016, compared to QAR 625.5 million in 2015.

The stock rose 1.82% to QAR 14.58 on Wednesday, with liquidity amounting to QAR 93,350 after 6,430 shares were traded.