stc group Q1 2026 results show net profit growth of 12% after excluding non-recurring items, with the company reporting preliminary financial results for the first quarter of 2026 on April 28. The company’s Q1 performance reflects continued momentum across its core operations and strategic initiatives in the region.
Revenues for the first quarter reached 19.939 billion Saudi riyals, up 3.8% from the same period last year. Gross profit climbed to 9.772 billion riyals, marking a 7.4% increase year-over-year. Operating profit reached 3.978 billion riyals, with an 11% increase compared to Q1 2025.
EBITDA for the quarter totaled 6.557 billion riyals, up 7.1% from the prior year period. Net profit reached 3.696 billion riyals after adjusting for non-recurring items. The company approved a dividend of 0.55 riyals per share in accordance with its board-approved distribution policy.
Regional Digital Infrastructure Expansion
stc Group CEO Eng. Olayan Alwetaid stated that the company began 2026 with strong operational and financial momentum. “The group achieved a 3.8% increase in revenue, 7.1% EBITDA growth, and a 12% rise in net profit compared to the same quarter last year,” Alwetaid said in the announcement.
A major focus for the company remains the Silklink project, a partnership with the Syrian Sovereign Fund involving a 3 billion riyal investment. The initiative aims to develop telecommunications infrastructure across Syria, including a fiber-optic network spanning over 4,500 kilometers, data centers, and international submarine cable landing stations. This project positions stc as a regional player in digital connectivity infrastructure development.
Peak Demand Service Delivery
During the first quarter, stc managed significant service demands across major events and seasonal peaks. The company supported millions of visitors to Riyadh Season with advanced telecommunications and digital services. During Ramadan, internet data traffic increased 21% at the Grand Mosque and over 40% at the Prophet’s Mosque compared to the prior year, with 5G accounting for over 48% of total traffic.
The company’s infrastructure improvements enabled reliable service delivery to pilgrims and visitors from around the world. These results demonstrate stc’s capacity to handle traffic spikes during peak periods while maintaining service quality.
stc Group Q1 2026 Results: Local Content Focus
stc continues efforts to advance local content and develop national capabilities. In 2026, the company participated in the Private Sector Forum and signed agreements to support local content development, expand supplier networks, and enable workforce training among national partners. These initiatives strengthen local digital industries and improve global competitiveness in telecommunications and information technology.
The company also received two data governance awards across the Middle East, reflecting progress in embedding best practices for data management. According to Alwetaid, these achievements demonstrate the group’s ability to execute strategy while maximizing contribution to Saudi Arabia’s digital economy in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.
Future Outlook
stc Group’s first quarter performance positions the company to continue its role as a key telecommunications and technology leader in the region. The Silklink project and ongoing infrastructure investments signal the company’s commitment to expanding regional digital connectivity. Management indicated that balanced investments in growth opportunities, operational efficiency, and digital infrastructure will support sustainable and competitive long-term growth.
