Sabic's nine-month net profit rose by 54 per cent, the petrochemical company said, but third-quarter figures suggested Sabic's galloping profit growth might be slowing.

The Middle East's biggest petrochemical producer reported net profit for the first nine months of year reached SR14.7 billion ($3.92 billion).
But net profit for the third quarter of SR4.8 billion was just two per cent up on the second quarter and 14 per cent up on the third quarter last year.
It also fell short of a forecast by Dubai-based Shuaa Capital, which forecast third-quarter net profit of 5.18 billion riyals.
Sabic said higher oil prices had pushed up costs of raw materials for some of its petrochemical products. A rise in iron ore and a fall in steel prices had also hit its subsidiary Saudi Iron and Steel Co.
But Sabic chief executive Mohamed Al-Mady said world petrochemical prices have risen and are expected to maintain those gains through next year.
Production volume rose by 10 per cent in the first nine months to 34.6 million tonnes while sales volume rose by six per cent to 26.9 million tonnes, Sabic said. Revenue increased 20 per cent to SR56.7 billion.
Sabic plans to spend more than $20 billion over the next three years to expand its production and as much as $70 billion over the next 15 years, a senior executive said earlier.
It aims to increase production levels to 64 million tonnes per year within three years and become the world's biggest producer of ethylene glycol, which is used to make polyester and antifreeze.
Sabic plans to issue a SR1 billion domestic Sukuk, or Islamic bond, this year and was awarded ratings by Standard & Poors of A long-term and A-1 short term -- the first step to a possible international bond issue which could help finance future growth.