Bidcorp has reported a 9.2% rise in interim headline earnings per share thanks to what it calls a standout performance from Europe. The food services group has reported a 9.2% rise in interim headline earnings per share. Joining Business Day TV on the line to take a closer look at the results is the company's CEO Bernard Berson.

Comair's released its interim results today reporting a 38% nosedive in headline earnings per share, revenue however increased by a record 12% which was offset by high fuel costs while cash generated from operations plunged 30%. Erik Venter, CEO of Comair joins us for perspective on the numbers.

Kumba Iron Ore released its full-year results today reporting a marginal dip in headline earnings per share driven by a 1% fall in revenue and a 4% decline in total sales. The company has however declared a final dividend of R15.73 bringing the total payout to R30.24, that representing a 100% payout ratio on headline earnings per share. Company's CEO, Themba Mkhwanazi joins us on the line to unpack the detail behind the numbers.

Miner, Anglogold Ashanti delivered solid annual results today. That's as headline earnings per share surged over 7 fold to 53 US cents - fuelled by lower amortisation after the closure and sale of some of its assets, as well as a higher income from its Kibali operations. We're now joined on the line by CEO, Kelvin Dushnisky, for more perspective on the numbers. So, the headlines have centred around you tightening your grip - and warranted where it's exactly that, that's yielding results. But it also sends a certain message when the results come of the back of AngloGold exiting SA… is there any other way to interpret that than - mining in SA is just not viable and an SA exit pays off?

If National Treasury's proposed amendments to the Auditing Profession Act is passed, the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors may gain search and seizure powers. This will allow the audit watchdog to enter the premises of auditors without prior consent or notice if accompanied by a warrant issued by a court to assist its investigations into financial reporting failures but the country's biggest audit firms are not having it, could this be a gamechanger for the industry? Bernard Agulhas, CEO of the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors joins us with his perspective.

Amplats has declared a final payout of R7.51 which is more than double last year's amount and brings the total for the year to R11.25. This comes as Amplats changes its dividend payout ratio from 30% to 40% of headline earnings. A decision CEO Chris Griffiths says was made due to the group's strong balance sheet and greater confidence in the underlying cash generating capabilities of the business.

Gold fields saw a large drop in earnings in its 2018 year to December. Revenue was in at 2.57 billion dollars - that’s 7% lower than last year, as production at its only SA operation, South Deep, declined. That left HEPS from continuing operations to come in at 7 US cents - a drop from 26 US cents in the previous year. Joining us on the line is CEO Nick Holland.

Tax collection is the only way that government generates revenues and National Treasury is already struggling to close a revenue shortfall of over R27 billion, with revenue collection deteriorating significantly. So, what are the plugs likely to be this time - given that the VAT hike has already been pulled as one of the tools in our arsenal and with an election upon us, does the Finance Minister have the luxury of going down the tax hiking route again? I spoke to David Warneke, National Tax Committee Chair at SAICA, here's his response...

During the mini-budget in October, Finance Minister, Tito Mboweni increased the budget deficit forecast to 4.3% from 3.8% for the 2018/19 financial year. A Reuters poll however suggests that he is likely to appease ratings agencies by trimming that forecast on growth hopes but with the high risk that Eskom poses to the growth trajectory along with other domestic issues such as the mining production slump and job cuts that may follow in that sector - just where will growth actually come from? Azar Jammine, Chief Economist at Econometrix joins us to discuss this conundrum.

Italtile released its interim numbers on Thursday, reporting a 30% surge in revenue. Partly fuelled by the upper-LSM segment which remained relatively resilient in a tough trading environment. And this further translated in a 12.6% rise in headline earnings per share to just over 54cents. We're now joined by CEO, Jan Potgieter for more perspective on the six months that was