They get a once in a lifetime opportunity to make a profit this...

They get a once in a lifetime opportunity to make a profit this year - they get to add $139 mil to the bottom line courtesy of the gift of writing off the remaining debt to CN holders.

They won Lotto and need to capitalise on it. Despite 'dodgy' accounting they would be able to shout out 'look at moi, I made a profit'.

In view of escalated other costs and modest growth, unless there is a miracle, they may not reach breakeven, which would be tragic, partly because they are forecast to decline next year. If they miss, it will be a much harder story to sell.