July 2023
Gary Weiss, original asset stripper, defends Ardent
It’s said imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Not that vintage corporate raider Gary Weiss is in any way pleased.
- Myriam Robin
Ardent Leisure accused of being in ‘dream world’ by activist investor
K Capital’s David Kingston wants to roll out the same playbook that saw Village Roadshow go private, and has appealed to Ardent Leisure shareholders.
- Ayesha de Kretser
Ardent Leisure says visitor growth strong at theme parks
The entertainment and leisure group behind Dreamworld on the Gold Coast said revenue is back at pre-disaster levels.
- Ayesha de Kretser
October 2022
The cash clues that suggest Dreamworld owner is wildly undervalued
Pengana’s James McDonald is tipping into Aussie names Telix and Opthea, potash producer K+S, and the valuation case for Ardent at 70¢.
- Emma Rapaport
June 2022
Ardent shareholders back $1.1b sale of US business Main Event
More than 99 per cent of shareholders voted to approve the sale, leaving Ardent Leisure with just Australian assets.
- Larry Schlesinger
May 2022
Ardent Leisure stock flies as investors await payday
There’s movement on the share register at closely-watched cash box Ardent Leisure.
- Anthony Macdonald, Sarah Thompson and Kanika Sood
M&A arb funds run the ruler on Ardent Leisure’s sell down returns
There’s a new M&A arb trade in the town, courtesy of Ardent Leisure’s US sell down.
- Anthony Macdonald, Sarah Thompson and Kanika Sood
April 2022
Ardent Leisure sells US entertainment business for $1.1b
The sale of the profitable Main Event business will leave Ardent with just its Australian theme parks, including Dreamworld on the Gold Coast.
- Larry Schlesinger
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Ardent’s $1.1b US cash bonanza
The sale of Ardent Leisure’s US business, Main Event, for $1.1 billion follows a well executed turnaround strategy.
- Updated
- Tony Boyd
August 2021
Ardent Leisure faces two worlds of COVID-19 control
The ASX-listed company’s US and Australian entertainment businesses reflect different attitudes to managing the pandemic.
- Michael Bleby
June 2021
Why Australians are taking a leap of faith in droves
As the pandemic blues drag on, more people are turning to one-off, thrill seeking, bucket-list experiences to get the blood pumping.
- Fiona Carruthers
April 2021
Ardent Leisure taps new theme park boss, stock jumps 5pc
The owner of Queensland’s Dreamworld taps new head for theme parks division amid depressed trading conditions at its venues in the US and Australia.
- Elouise Fowler
February 2021
Dreamworld owner Ardent’s stock swoons after loss
It will take a year from when JobKeeper ends in March for Ardent Leisure’s cash flow from its Dreamworld theme park to recover.
- Elouise Fowler
September 2020
Ardent Leisure fined $3.6m for four Dreamworld deaths
A court found the deaths on the Thunder River Rapids ride in 2016 were the result of a litany of failures, but executives have escaped punishment.
- Mark Ludlow
August 2020
Ardent puts faith in locals for Dreamworld reopening
The embattled theme park operator says its shuttered Gold Coast parks will be back in business for the September school holidays.
- Michael Bleby
ASX up 0.2pc; NEXTDC meets guidance; Fortescue hits record
The S&P/ASX200 Index gained 9.8 points, or 0.2 per cent, t o 6126 points as iron ore miners offset weaker banks. Appen slumped as earnings, sales fall short. Woolworths gained 2.8 per cent on strong sales in July and August.
- Robert Guy, Vesna Poljak, Sarah Turner, William McInnes and Tom Richardson
Ardent Leisure: How private funders lose to government
Distressed debt funds circling Ardent Leisure have been left disappointed by the Queensland government decision to offer support.
- Jemima Whyte
July 2020
Ardent charged over Dreamworld deaths, faces $4.5m in fines
Dreamworld theme park owner Ardent Leisure is facing three charges over the accident at the Thunder River Rapids ride in 2016 that killed four people.
- Mark Ludlow
May 2020
Dreamworld won't recover from pandemic until 2024
Its problems aren't solved, but the slumping share price has made troubled parent Ardent Leisure a cheap buy, Citi analyst says.
- Michael Bleby
March 2020
Plan C for Ardent Leisure as COVID-19 closes curtains
It's showtime at under pressure ASX-listed entertainment business Ardent Leisure Group.
- Sarah Thompson, Anthony Macdonald and Tim Boyd