ABU DHABI, May 9 (Reuters) - Aldar Properties ALDR.AD , the state-linked builder of Abu Dhabi's Formula One circuit, reported a small drop in first quarter profit on Tuesday but beat analysts forecast.

Aldar made a net profit attributable to shareholders of 637.0 million dirhams ($ 174.0 million) in the three months to March 31 compared to 649.05 million dirhams in the prior-year period, a company spokesperson said.

Aldar, in a statement to the bourse said its first quarter net profit was 641.0 million dirhams.

SICO Bahrain and EFG Hermes had forecast Aldar would make a quarterly a profit of 509.07 million dirhams and 600.00 million dirhams respectively ID:nL8N1I41YN .

Aldar's first quarter revenue grew 26 percent to 1.58 billion dirhams, the statement said.

(Reporting By Stanley Carvalho, editing by Simon Cameron-Moore) ((stanley.carvalho@thomsonreuters.com; + 9712 6444431; Reuters Messaging: stanley.carvalho.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))