By Annette Shailer
Aristocrat Leisure has confirmed that it will report a net loss for the calendar year ending 2009, but, excluding abnormal items, expects an operating profit that will exceed market expectation.
The gaming machine manufacturer reported an operating profit of approximately $116 million after tax and minority interest for the year ended December 31, 2009.
Aristocrat said in a statement to the ASX that the total abnormal items for the year would include the impairment of multi-terminal gaming businesses, intellectual property litigation settlement, property sales and restructuring costs.
“The Company therefore will report a loss (post abnormal items) after tax and minority interest for the year ended 31 December 2009,” the statement said.
The results remain subject to completion of year end procedures, including the completion of the audit and Board approval, and therefore may change before finalisation.
Aristocrat’s final results for the full year ended 2009 will be released on February 23.
Aristocrat’s shares have experienced a good week so far, rising to $4.32 at 11am today (Feb 3) after trading for $4 seven days ago.