The Agency pursue joint venture opportunities, posting revenue spike but continued losses due to write-downs
The listed real estate firm The Agency slumped to further losses in FY2020 as they announce they are actively pursuing a joint venture.
The Agency advise it will help drive agent recruitment and sales revenue.
There was certainly some goods news from The Agency's financial update.
Their EBITDA of $711,714 was the first time the company posted a positive EBITDA, a $4.9 million turnaround from the FY19 EBITDA loss of $4.25 million.
Annual group revenue rose 48 per cent from $28.34 million to $41.86 million, mainly down to the 26 per cent increase year on year in combined gross commission income.
Sales were up to 3,153 over FY20, from 2,419 in FY19.
The total losses however grew to $10.36 million, up on its $9.26 million loss in 2019.
The ASX note to shareholders advised however that losses were primarily impacted by depreciation and amortisation (over $6 million) and impairment of goodwill ($5.3 million).
"The board has taken a conservative view on the review of its goodwill on historical acquisitions and believed it was appropriate to impair by $5.3 million for FY2020, in light of market uncertainty as a result of COVID-19", the ASX update said.
Salaries and employment costs blew out over the year, up from $24 million in FY19 to $31 million in FY20.
They secured $1.08 million in government assistance which was lower than the McGrath benefit of $2.2 million.
The Agency Group’s managing director Paul Niardone said he is proud of the company performance over the year.
"To report a maiden EBITDA profit, positive cashflow, a strong gain in revenue and other key metrics is a major achievement and testament to the hard work and dedication of our agents and our staff, especially when considering the impact of COVID-19", Niardone said.
“Our quick response to COVID-19 has placed us in an enviable position, allowing us to rebound strongly in key markets.
"We have generated a strong sales pipeline which has flown through into the first quarter FY21 with a record 446 listings for July 2020."
The Agency shares last traded at 2.8c.