Oman's Bank Dhofar Q3 net profit declines 10.8pc

Oman's second-largest bank by market value made a profit of 8.3 million rials ($21.6 million) in the three months to Sept. 30 compared to a profit of 9.3 million rials in the prior-year period, Reuters calculated from previous financial statements.

Two analysts polled by Reuters had estimated a quarterly profit of 9.2 million rials and 8 million rials respectively.

Reuters calculated third-quarter profit from previous financial statements. Nine-month profit was reported as 49.1 million rials, according to a statement to the bourse, a significant jump on the 28.7 million rials Bank Dhofar made in the corresponding period of 2012.

The profit hike was fuelled by Oman's Primary Court returning 26.1 million rials to Bank Dhofar in March after the country's appeals court overturned a judgement relating to a 2011 case involving Oman International Bank and Ali Redha Trading and Muttrah Holding over the ownership of 1,925,000 Bank Dhofar shares.

The move resulted in first-half net profit more than doubling over the same period of 2012.

Despite the Q3 net profit decline, shares in Bank Dhofar closed Sunday 0.6 percent higher in light trading. The volume of shares traded on the wider Muscat bourse was also reduced due to much of the region celebrating the Eid al-Adha holiday this week.

Net loans and advances grew 13.7 percent to 1.89 billion rials from 1.66 billion rials at the end of Sept. 2012. Deposits were also up over the same period, rising 19.3 percent year-on-year to 1.91 billion rials.

In July, Bank Dhofar said it had approached Bank Sohar with a view to merging the two entities and creating Oman's second-largest bank, with the latter saying it would consider the move later that month.

The new entity would have total assets worth 4.1 billion rials and a market capitalisation of around $1.8 billion.

Abdul Oman al-Ojaili was appointed acting chief executive of Bank Dhofar on Sept. 26, taking over from Anthony Mahoney who resigned for personal reasons.