B Communications Ltd. announced unaudited consolidated earnings results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017. For the quarter, on consolidated basis, the company reported revenues of ILS 2,453 million against ILS 2,559 million a year ago. Operating profit was ILS 461 million against ILS 474 million a year ago. Profit before income tax was ILS 328 million against ILS 281 million a year ago. Profit attributable to the shareholders of the company was ILS 39 million or ILS 1.31 per basic and diluted share against loss of ILS 23 million or ILS 0.77 per basic and diluted share a year ago. Net profit for the period was ILS 239 million against ILS 160 million a year ago. The increase was mainly due to the company’s lower net financial expenses in the first quarter of 2017 compared with the first quarter of 2016 as a result of the refinance of the company’s debt in the third quarter of 2016. Net debt was ILS 2,205 million against ILS 1,716 million a year ago. For the quarter, on unconsolidated basis, net profit attributable to shareholders was ILS 39 million compared with a loss attributable to shareholders of ILS 23 million reported in the first quarter of 2016. The net profit in the first quarter of 2017 was mainly due to the company’s lower net financial expenses resulting from the refinance of its debt in the third quarter of 2016.