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DUBAI, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Saudi Telecom Co
7010.SE
(STC) met estimates with a 10.3 percent rise in fourth-quarter profit on Thursday as operating costs and operating expenses declined.
The former monopoly, which competes domestically with Etihad Etisalat
7020.SE
(Mobily) and Zain Saudi
7030.SE
, made a net profit of 2.15 billion riyals in the three months to Dec. 31, up from 1.95 billion a year earlier, a bourse statement said.
Six analysts polled by Reuters had on average forecast a profit of 2.06 billion from STC, which owns stakes in operators in the Gulf, Turkey and Asia.
The company on Thursday announced it would pay an interim quarterly dividend of 1 riyal per share. >
(Reporting by Alexander Cornwell; editing by Jason Neely) ((Alexander.Cornwell@thomsonreuters.com;))
The former monopoly, which competes domestically with Etihad Etisalat
Six analysts polled by Reuters had on average forecast a profit of 2.06 billion from STC, which owns stakes in operators in the Gulf, Turkey and Asia.
The company on Thursday announced it would pay an interim quarterly dividend of 1 riyal per share. >
(Reporting by Alexander Cornwell; editing by Jason Neely) ((Alexander.Cornwell@thomsonreuters.com;))