McGrath halves 2018 forecast earnings
The listed real estate agency McGrath have signalled their expected revenue for the FY18 to be half their forecast.
Their latest trading update put the revenue within the $5 million to $5.5 million range.
The incoming chief executive called it "the right baseline financial position."
McGrath shares closed at 43 cents on Monday, no change from the Friday close, and opened Tuesday at 42 cents.
The announcement comes just two months after the then board suggested they would be targeting between $10 million to $10.6 million.
CEO Geoff Lucas, who is back at the agency having left in 2016 just after the company floated, cited the impact of reduced sales volumes.
“It is important that the market is aware of the right baseline financial position that appropriately reflects the current status of the McGrath business and trading conditions.
"The impact of reduced sales volumes has affected the company more significantly than the prior forecast contemplated.
"We are pleased that this period is behind us, and are encouraged by current activity levels generating improved results.
“At the core of the McGrath business is a high quality and well respected real estate agency with a market leading position.
'The new Board and CEO are harnessing the capacity and skills of the existing management team which has injected a revitalised energy into the business and we are encouraged by the support, enthusiasm and momentum of team members.
“The cost cutting program put in place late last year is starting to generate the financial benefits expected, and we are seeing an uplift in performance so far this month, with expectations of continued rebuilding to the end of this financial year.”
McGrath have lost a number of key staff to various agencies over the past two years.
The review comes after Lucas, who was previously the COO before his 2016 departure, undertook an initial review of the company's accounts and operations.
The company says it generated underlying EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortisation) for the eight months to the end of February of $720,000, before $3.2 million of one‐off costs.
Last month John McGrath revealed his new board of directors, with Andrew Robinson and Peter Lewis.