The trading day has 50 minutes to run as I write, but so far,...

The trading day has 50 minutes to run as I write, but so far, 'Mr Market' likes the result, sending shares up despite a down day for the ASX 200.

Compraisons are difficult due to the previous unstable COVID-19 environment, marked by gross overreactions from politicians such as Daniel Andrews in Victoria and know-it-all bureaucrats including so-called chief health officers.

The rise in NPAT was pleasing, although when EDV discusses sales increases, surely with the CPI rising fast, it's actually a net decrease in real terms?

One hopes EDV isn't overpaying for the hotel acquisitions it made, and presumably will continue to slowly make. COL has a particularly strong presence in liquor in Queensland so EDV may gradually eat into that a little more.

It's encouraging EDV hasn't seen a downturn in key drinker and dining metrics although the looming recession's effects remain to be seen. Many Australians might regard keeping alcohol consumption going at similar levels as a key priority even when they reduce spending on restaurant and cafe meals, but the hotels division may not escape so lightly.