B. Riley Posts Continuing Operations Loss, Buyout Effort Ends

B. Riley Financial Inc. posted a preliminary fourth-quarter loss from continuing operations as the brokerage and investment firm seeks to rebound from soured investments.

Net income swung to a profit on the strength of gains from divested operations, and it reported completing the sale of Atlantic Coast Recycling.

Separately, the company’s chairman and co-founder suspended a tentative effort to take his company private. Bryant Riley made an informal offer last year to buy out his company for $7 a share, without disclosing who would provide financing, and a formal bid didn’t materialize.

In a filing Monday, Riley said he “recognized ...