The Data#3 Limited (ASX:DTL) share price slides on profit downgrade

Data#3 Limited (ASX:DTL) had a strong second half, but that wasn't enough to increase profits.

a woman

IT services provider Data#3 Limited (ASX: DTL) was one of the worst performers on the local market on Wednesday, down 4% to $1.62, after the company released an estimate of FY18 profit.

After a streak of positive results, in December 2017 Data#3 saw its share price plunge on the news that profit for the first half of FY18 would be substantially lower than the previous corresponding period due to some project delays.

However, management was confident that a strong performance in the second part of the year would have ensured that FY18 results would have been an improvement over FY17.

Today, the company announced that the second half was indeed positive, with a record net profit before tax of $16 million. Despite this, the consolidated net profit after tax of the Data#3 group for FY18 will be down 9% from the prior year, to $14 million.

Data#3 also revealed that its subsidiary Discovery Technology has instituted a legal proceeding for debt and economic loss recovery against a client for the early termination of a 5-year supply contract that negatively impacted the results.

But there's plenty of other companies that are growing their profits this year. Click here to find out about three blue chip stocks to back for 2018.

Motley Fool contributor Tommaso Autorino has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Data#3 Ltd. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Share Fallers

Codan share price A dismayed kid dressed as a scientist stands with his back to a rocket crashed into the ground
Share Fallers

Xero shares crash to a 7-year low after a brutal sell-off

The decline has wiped out years of share price gains.

Read more »

Two miners at a mine site on their tablets, with mining machinery behind them.
Share Fallers

Why has the Mineral Resources share price fallen 12% this week?

It’s been another tough week for Mineral Resources shareholders.

Read more »

A man holds his hand to his chin with a furrowed brow, making an expression of puzzlement or confusion.
Share Fallers

Top 3 ASX 200 shares now below their 200-day moving average

Are these businesses still a buy?

Read more »

A young man clasps his hand to his head with a pained expression on his face and a laptop in front of him.
Share Fallers

What are the most shorted ASX shares on the market right now?

Two names, two opposite bear cases.

Read more »

An arrow crashes through the ground as a businessman watches on.
Share Fallers

Warning: Corporate Travel shares have crashed 80%. What on earth just happened?

An 80% crash has left investors asking what went so wrong.

Read more »

Stressed businessman sits in panic amid digital stock market financial background.
Share Fallers

The five worst-performing ASX 200 shares in August unmasked

Investors sent these five ASX shares crashing 17% to 23% in August. But why?

Read more »

Stressed businessman sits in panic amid digital stock market financial background.
Share Fallers

Why Megaport, Lendlease and JB Hi-Fi shares all crashed 14% to 15% this week

ASX investors punished Lendlease, Megaport, and JB Hi-Fi this week. But why?

Read more »

Woman checking out new laptops.
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

Down 14% today: Are JB Hi-Fi shares now a bargain-bin buy?

Could JB's plunge mean a bargain buy?

Read more »