STREETWISE

Skinny profit

MARK Bouris’ Yellow Brick Road has swung to a slim first-half profit following a string of asset sales and cost-cutting measures he says will help it better focus on the mortgage market.

The firm yesterday posted a

$3.97 million net gain from a $34.2 million loss a year ago, when the business had just fought off a takeover attempt and was left reeling by royal commission recommendations on broker remuneration.

Theme park pain

BUSHFIRES, floods and the coronavirus outbreak will hit the bottom line of takeover target Village Roadshow. The theme park and film production company told investors the performance of its Gold Coast theme parks, which include Wet ‘n’ Wild, and Sea World, had improved over the six months to December and into January.

But bushfires, a two-day closure due to floods and a drop in international tourists due to the coronavirus outbreak would likely wipe $3 million from earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation in the second half of the financial year.

Bowls challenge

MARLIN Coast Bowls Club invites participants in this year’s Corporate and Business Challenge. The event will be held on Fridays starting 6,30pm, commencing Friday March 6, then 13, 20, 27, April 3 and finishing April 10.

Tax symposium

THE start of a new decade brings not only new opportunities but also challenges brought on by economic uncertainty that place significant pressure on businesses. The 2020 North Queensland Tax Symposium, at the Pullman Cairns International on April 24, will provide private business advisers with the tools to recognise opportunities to add value and assist their clients.