But for Macmahon Holdings a very different story with the company now looking at no profit in the first half.
And as a result, full year earnings for 2011 look like halving, before the first half is completed.
Macmahon shares plunged around 25% at one stage, before a slight recovery saw the shares finish off 21%, or 14.5c, at 54.5c.
That’s the lowest they have been since May of this year.
The company told the ASX yesterday that following disappointing performance by its construction division, it now expects "a break even result" in the first half of 2010-11, before net profit of more than $20 million in the second half of the year.
Macmahon pointed to poorer than expected performance on a rail contract in Western Australia and failure by its construction business to win more work as reasons behind the disappointing performance.
"This is a disappointing and unacceptable result for the company," Macmahon chief executive officer Nick Bowen said in the statement.
"A full analysis of the Construction Business is being undertaken to implement the necessary actions to improve performance."
Macmahon said a WA rail contract "has experienced a number of issues which have impacted the costs to date and the costs to complete.
"It is now anticipated that this contract will not deliver its forecast profit," the company said.
As well, "construction has won less work than expected, which will result in lower Construction revenue.
"These two factors will result in a reduction in the profitability of the Construction Business in the current year."
But it is not all bad, Macmahon said, "mining is performing strongly, with positive market conditions prevailing.
"The underground sector is particularly strong, with the business benefiting from increased production requirements by clients.
"The Mining Business continues to grow with a large number of prospects for new work in Australia and overseas."
Macmahon said its half year results "will be adversely impacted by the issues in the Construction Business.
"Based on available information, the Company is forecasting a break even result for the six months to December 2010.
"In the second half, a profit in excess of $20 million after tax is forecast, on the back of continuing strong performance from the Mining Business and an improved result from Construction.
"The Company’s balance sheet remains strong," Macmahon added.
Seeing the company earned a net profit of $37 million in the 2010 year, Macmahon is looking at a substantial shortfall.
Leighton Holdings controls just over 20% of Macmahon.
But it can’t do a thing because its engaged in an odd attempt to help its parent, Hochtief of Germany, fight off a Spanish company that is bidding for Hochtief.
