Canadian Cannabis Stock Aphria Jumps After Announcing Surprise Profits

Canadian Cannabis Stock Aphria Jumps After Announcing Surprise Profits

 

This Canadian cannabis stock had a nice little bump on Wednesday after announcing strong Q3 profit and twice the forecasted sales

In Wednesday’s down market, Aphria stock jumped nearly 20% from the news of strong profits and sales. We recommend this marijuana stock as a strong buy-and-hold for 3 main reasons:

  1. International Cannabis Market Coverage: The coverage that Aphria has internationally, specifically in Germany, has been tremendous for the company. The company’s new subsidiary CC Pharma generated an incredible amount of revenue for Aphria, nearly 72% of its total net revenues for Q2 2020. CC Pharma has been a huge point of revenue generation for the company since it acquired CC Pharma in early 2019.
  2. Aphria’s Cash Balance Sheet: Aphria’s sizeable cash balance sheet, one of the most robust in the cannabis industry, that will help it endure any hardship it may experience during the coronavirus. The cash balance sheet tops out at just over $600 millionAphria went through a period of non-essential asset liquidation and raised $460 million in convertible debentures. The company has the remainder of its cash balance sheet through $80 million in term debt and $160 million in equity.
  3. Edible Cannabis Products: The company recently debuted a cannabis edible product portfolio that was timed along with the legalization of cannabis edible products in CanadaAphria was on the line with the wave of cannabis edible legalization as Canada’s edible legalization, nicknamed “Cannabis 2.0”, was effective on December 14th of 2019. Cannabis edibles sold by the company, those within its “Aphria Diamond” product line, were rated as one of the best edible products by consumers. Aphria Diamond edible products, specifically Good Supply and Riff, have the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cost-per-gram with it to compete and dominate the Cannabis 2.0 market.

See the full press release below:

Reports Operating Income of $8.7 million
Adjusted EBITDA from Cannabis Operations of $6.0 Million Increased 78% from Prior Quarter
Cash Cost Per Gram Decreased to Below $1
Updates on COVID-19 Impact and Fiscal Year 2020 Guidance

LEAMINGTON, ONApril 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ – Aphria Inc., (“Aphria” or the “Company“) (TSX: APHA and NYSE: APHA) a leading global cannabis company, today reported its financial results for the third quarter ended February 29, 2020. All amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted and except for per gram, kilogram, kilogram equivalents, and per share amounts.

“We are proud of our sustained growth in Canada and continued expansion of our international capabilities,” stated Irwin D. Simon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “During this unprecedented time, the well-being of our employees, patients, consumers, partners and the communities we operate in is our primary focus. Our facilities, offices and patient care teams remain open and operational to continue to provide our patients and consumers with what we believe is best-in-class care and service with appropriate measures in place to protect the health and safety of employees. As we face uncertain times, I am proud of how the Aphria team has come together to navigate these uncharted waters. Going forward, we believe Aphria continues to be differentiated in the cannabis industry through our brands, cultivation expertise, high quality standards, cash position and balance sheet. We continue to focus on the highest return opportunities for growth and long-term value creation.”

Key Operating Highlights

  • Gross revenue for adult-use cannabis of $44.7 million in the third quarter, an increase of 54% from prior quarter and the 5th consecutive quarter of growth.
  • Net cannabis revenue of $55.6 million in the third quarter, an increase of 65% from prior quarter.
  • Net revenue of $144.4 million in the third quarter, an increase of 96% from prior year quarter and increase of 20% from prior quarter.
  • Operating income of $8.7 million in the third quarter, compared to a loss of $9.6 million in the prior quarter.
  • Net income of $5.7 million, or $0.02 per share, and adjusted EBITDA of $5.7 million in the third quarter.
  • Adjusted EBITDA from cannabis operations of $6.0 million in the third quarter, an increase of 78% from the prior quarter.
  • Ended third quarter with a strong balance sheet and liquidity, including $515.1 million of cash and cash equivalents, to fund planned Canadian and International growth.
  • Received its European Union Good Manufacturing Practices (“EU GMP”) certification, from the Malta Medicines Authority (“MMA”) at the Company’s subsidiary, ARA – Avanti Rx Analytics, as well as the GMP annex at the Company’s Aphria One facility, allowing the Company to begin to supply medical cannabis across the European Union and bolstering the Company’s international export capabilities.
  • Equity raise of $100 million, further strengthening the balance sheet.

Canadian Cannabis Stock Aphria Jumps After Announcing Surprise Profits

Subsequent Event

  • Recognized for Executive Gender Diversity by Globe and Mail’s inaugural Report on Business Women Lead Here list, an annual benchmark of executive gender diversity in corporate Canada.

Key Financial Highlights

(In thousands of Canadian dollars)

Three months ended

Three months ended 

February 29, 2020

February 28, 2019

Net revenue

$144,424

$73,582

Gross profit

$59,575

$17,295

Adjusted cannabis gross profit 1

$23,744

$5,808

Adjusted cannabis gross margin 1

42.7%

36.3%

Adjusted distribution gross profit 1

$11,397

$7,854

Adjusted distribution gross margin 1

12.9%

13.6%

Net income (loss)

$5,697

($108,209)

Adjusted EBITDA 1

$5,736

($14,435)

Q3-2020

Q2-2020

Distribution revenue

$88,308

$86,442

Net cannabis revenue

$55,566

$33,708

Net revenue

$144,424

$120,600

Kilograms (or kilogram equivalents) sold 1

14,014

7,062

Cash cost to produce dried cannabis / gram1

$0.93

$1.11

“All-in” cost of goods sold / gram1

$1.69

$1.98

Adjusted EBITDA from cannabis operations 1

$6,031

$3,386

Adjusted EBITDA from businesses under development 1

($2,859)

($3,547)

Adjusted EBITDA from distribution operations 1

$2,564

$2,064

Cash and cash equivalents & marketable securities

$515,102

$497,694

Working capital

$746,572

$675,932

Capital and intangible asset expenditures -wholly-owned subsidiaries1

$23,839

$8,230

Net revenue for the three months ended February 29, 2020 was $144.4 million, an increase of 96% from $73.6 million in the same period last year. Third quarter fiscal 2020 net revenues were 20% higher when compared to the prior quarter net revenues of $120.6 million, largely due to an increase in net cannabis revenue from sales to provincial control boards. Net revenue included 8,171 kilogram equivalents sold for the adult-use market, 1,352 kilogram equivalents for medical cannabis sales and 4,491 kilogram equivalents sold in the wholesale market.

The average retail selling price of medical cannabis (exclusive of wholesale), before excise tax, decreased to $6.41 per gram in the quarter, compared to $8.16 in the prior quarter, primarily related to the implementation of a compassionate pricing policy in the quarter. The average selling price of adult-use cannabis, before excise tax, increased to $5.47 per gram in the quarter, compared to $5.22 per gram in the prior quarter, primarily as a result of a change in sales mix.

As previously disclosed, customer demand exceeded the Company’s supply capabilities in the third quarter as a result of the timing of Aphria Diamond’s license receipt and, as a short-term measure, the Company purchased wholesale product from other Licensed Producers to supplement its near-term supply capabilities. Wholesale product purchases resulted in a higher cost and less margin opportunity for those sales. During the quarter, sales of purchased cannabis accounted for $20.2 million, with gross profit of $5.1 million and a gross margin of 25.2%.  If the Company had been able to utilize cannabis it had grown, at the “all-in” cost of sales of dried cannabis per gram reported this quarter, the Company would have reported an additional $7.6 million of gross margin and adjusted EBITDA2.

Cannabis gross profit for the third quarter was $23.7 million, with a cannabis gross margin of 42.7%, compared to $19.1 million with a cannabis gross margin of 56.6% in the prior quarter. The decrease in cannabis gross margin was primarily due to the sale of cannabis that was purchased from another wholesaler and the sale of wholesale cannabis.

Distribution gross profit for the third quarter was $11.4 million, with a distribution gross margin of 12.9%, compared to $11.0 million with a distribution gross margin of 12.7% in the prior quarter.

Selling, general, and administrative costs in the quarter increased to $50.9 million from $49.2 million in the prior quarter, and decreased from $106.6 million in the prior year. The increase from the prior quarter is mainly related to a $1.8 million increase in transaction costs and an increase in headcounts at all levels of the organization as the Company transitions to an annual cultivation capacity of up to 255,000 kgs. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in share-based compensation of $2.4 million.

Net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2020 was $5.7 million, or $0.02 per share, compared to a net loss of $7.9 million, or loss of $0.03 per share in the prior quarter, and net loss of $108.2 million, or loss of $0.43 per share for the same period last year.

Adjusted EBITDA increased by $3.8 million to $5.7 million for the third quarter compared to $1.9 million in the prior quarter. Adjusted EBITDA from cannabis operations for the third quarter was $6.0 million compared to $3.4 million in the prior quarter. The adjusted EBITDA loss from businesses under development for the third quarter was $2.9 million compared to a loss of $3.5 million in the prior quarter. Adjusted EBITDA from distribution operations for the third quarter was $2.6 million, compared to $2.1 million the prior quarter.

The Company ended the third quarter with a strong balance sheet, including $515.1 million of cash and cash equivalents.

Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) Pandemic, Its Impact and Influence on Aphria’s Guidance3

The pandemic and its impact on the economy is constantly evolving and presents too many variables and contingencies to accurately forecast the Company’s fourth quarter results. For instance any one of the following could have material impacts on Aphria’s anticipated fourth quarter revenue levels: (i) the United Kingdom government, or any EU government of a country that materially supplies CC Pharma, closes its border to exports; (ii) either the Alberta or Ontario government implements a more restrictive ‘shelter in place program’ or materially adjusts its anticipated sales orders; (iii) current ‘pantry loading’ sales levels in Quebec reverse to pre-pandemic sales levels; (iv) the AlbertaOntario or Quebec government eliminate or scale-back delivery methods for retail sales as part of a stronger ‘shelter in place program’; (v) the Company’s Leamington or Densborn facilities face greater than current levels of employee absences reasons related to COVID-19; and/or (vi) the Company’s supply chain partners materially increase their prices or experience unanticipated material disruptions to their business or chose to implement policy changes affecting Aphria in light of ‘shelter in place programs’. Without clarity on the Company’s expected revenue levels, it is improbable to accurately forecast EBITDA levels on these revised revenue levels. For all of the factors surrounding the growing uncertainty and the near-term financial impact of the pandemic, the Company is suspending its previously announced guidance for revenue, of $575 million to $625 million, and adjusted EBITDA, of $35 million to $42 million, for fiscal 2020. The Company intends to re-instate its annual guidance once the pandemic stabilizes, which may not be until a point in the Company’s Fiscal 2021 year.

Conference Call

Aphria executives will host a conference call to discuss these results today at 9:00 am Eastern Time. To listen to the live call, dial (888) 231-8191 from Canada and the U.S. or (647) 427-7450 from International locations and use the passcode 8021229. A telephone replay will be available approximately two hours after the call concludes through April 29, 2020. To access the recording dial (855)-859-2056 and use the passcode 8021229.

There will also be a simultaneous, live webcast available on the Investors section of Aphria’s website at aphriainc.com. The webcast will be archived for 30 days.

We Have A Good Thing Growing.

About Aphria

Aphria Inc. is a leading global cannabis company driven by an unrelenting commitment to our people, the planet, product quality and innovation. Headquartered in Leamington, Ontario – the greenhouse capital of Canada – Aphria Inc. has been setting the standard for the low-cost production of high-quality cannabis at scale, grown in the most natural conditions possible. Focusing on untapped opportunities and backed by the latest technologies, Aphria Inc. is committed to bringing breakthrough innovation to the global cannabis market. The Company’s portfolio of brands is grounded in expertly-researched consumer insights designed to meet the needs of every consumer segment. Rooted in our founders’ multi-generational expertise in commercial agriculture, Aphria Inc. drives sustainable long-term shareholder value through a diversified approach to innovation, strategic partnerships and global expansion.

For more information, visit: aphriainc.com

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking information or forward-looking statements (together, “forward-looking statements”) under applicable securities laws and are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Any information or statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements in this news release with regards to Aphria’s market position, ability to generate consistent growth, net revenue and adjusted EBITDA and ability to re-instate guidance. The Company uses words such as “forecast”, “future”, “should”, “could”, “enable”, “potential”, “contemplate”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “plan”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “project”, “will”, “would” and the negative of these terms or similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions contained in the forward-looking statements throughout this news release. Forward-looking statements reflect management’s current beliefs with respect to future events and are based on information currently available to management including based on reasonable assumptions, estimates, internal and external analysis and opinions of management considering its experience, perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant as at the date such statements are made. Forward-looking statements involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievement to be materially different from any future forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to, risks associated with COVID-19 nationally and globally which could have a material adverse impact on Aphria’s business, operations and financial results, including disruptions in cultivation and processing, supply chains and sales channels, as well as a deterioration of general economic conditions including national and/or global recessions and the response of governments to the COVID-19 pandemic in respect of the operation of retail stores; general economic conditions; adverse industry events; marketing costs; loss of markets; future legislative and regulatory developments involving cannabis or otherwise affecting Aphria’s business or its consumers generally; inability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favorable terms; the cannabis industry in Canada generally; income tax and regulatory matters, including delays in the issuance of licenses; the sale and distribution of vapes; the ability of Aphria to meet its liquidity requirements to fund ongoing operations; the ability of Aphria to implement its business strategies; competition; crop failure; safety of derivative cannabis products; currency and interest rate fluctuations.

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive and should consider as other factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Aphria’s most recent Annual Information Form and under the heading “Industry Trends and Risks” in Aphria’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the three and nine months ended February 29, 2020, each available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.  Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated.

The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake an obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities laws.  Neither TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of Toronto Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

The schedule below is an excerpt of Aphria Inc.’s financial statements prepared on a basis consistent with IFRS for the three and nine months ended on February 29, 2020 and filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. This schedule does not contain all of the information in Aphria Inc.’s financial statements that is important to you. You should read the financial statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis carefully to obtain a comprehensive understanding of Aphria Inc.’s financial statements and notes thereto under IFRS and related information.

Aphria Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
(In thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 For the three months ended
February 29, 

 For the nine months ended
February 29, 

Note

2020

2019

2020

2019

Revenue from cannabis products

$  64,424

$  18,407

$  139,275

$  55,077

Distribution revenue

88,308

57,599

270,077

58,745

Insurance recovery

550

1,000

Excise taxes

(8,858)

(2,424)

(19,216)

(5,280)

Net revenue

144,424

73,582

391,136

108,542

Production costs

5

16,707

10,471

46,055

25,705

Cost of cannabis purchased

15,115

15,850

Cost of goods purchased

76,911

49,745

235,498

50,856

Gross profit before fair value adjustments

35,691

13,366

93,733

31,981

Fair value adjustment on sale of inventory

5

16,383

5,542

36,060

18,075

Fair value adjustment on growth of biological assets

6

(40,267)

(9,471)

(86,912)

(23,136)

Gross profit

59,575

17,295

144,585

37,042

Operating expenses:

General and administrative

23

27,920

22,434

72,301

43,561

Share-based compensation

24

5,126

14,300

17,645

22,996

Marketing and promotion

4,185

6,241

16,611

18,918

Selling

5,089

707

12,731

1,107

Amortization

5,352

3,665

16,256

9,556

Research and development

710

223

1,992

1,097

Impairment

58,039

58,039

Transaction costs

2,478

942

3,904

2,930

50,860

106,551

141,440

158,204

Operating income (loss)

8,715

(89,256)

3,145

(121,162)

Finance income (expense), net

25

(7,352)

3,579

(17,615)

9,493

Non-operating income, net 

26

9,848

(33,995)

34,719

79,811

Income (loss) before income taxes

11,211

(119,672)

20,249

(31,858)

Income taxes (recovery)

15

5,514

(11,463)

6,040

401

Net income (loss)

5,697

(108,209)

14,209

(32,259)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

(734)

(61)

(2,729)

(61)

Comprehensive income (loss)

$  4,963

$  (108,270)

$  11,480

$  (32,320)

Total comprehensive income (loss) is attributable to:

Shareholders of Aphria Inc.

5,893

(107,886)

12,944

(31,529)

Non-controlling interest

22

(930)

(384)

(1,464)

(791)

$  4,963

$  (108,270)

$  11,480

$  (32,320)

Weighted average number of common shares – basic

257,517,234

250,149,598

253,477,710

240,106,147

Weighted average number of common shares – diluted

257,955,708

250,149,598

254,010,666

240,106,147

Earnings (loss) per share – basic

28

$  0.02

$  (0.43)

$  0.06

$  (0.13)

Earnings (loss) per share – diluted

28

$  0.02

$  (0.43)

$  0.06

$  (0.13)

Aphria Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
(In thousands of Canadian dollars)

Note

February 29,
2020

May 31,
2019

Assets

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$  515,102

$  550,797

Marketable securities

20,199

Accounts receivable

78,894

25,488

Prepaids and other current assets

4

33,336

23,391

Inventory

5

225,832

91,529

Biological assets

6

33,858

18,725

Promissory notes receivable

14

27,145

39,200

Current portion of convertible notes receivable

11

10,459

11,500

924,626

780,829

Capital assets

8

589,615

503,898

Intangible assets

9

382,440

392,056

Convertible notes receivable

11

4,198

20,730

Interest in equity investees

12

9,311

Long-term investments

13

31,496

64,922

Goodwill

10

669,722

669,846

$  2,602,097

$  2,441,592

Liabilities

Current liabilities

Bank indebtedness

16

$  6,948

$  —

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

137,168

105,813

Income taxes payable

2,880

2,722

Deferred revenue

23,569

23,678

Current portion of lease liabilities

3

1,171

Current portion of long-term debt

17

6,318

6,332

178,054

138,545

Long-term liabilities

Lease liabilities

3

5,128

Long-term debt

17

130,617

60,895

Convertible debentures

18

334,936

421,366

Deferred tax liability

15

89,237

87,633

737,972

708,439

Shareholders’ equity

Share capital

19

1,767,138

1,655,273

Warrants

20

360

1,336

Share-based payment reserve

43,163

36,151

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(2,848)

(119)

Non-controlling interest

22

27,027

28,409

Retained earnings 

29,285

12,103

1,864,125

1,733,153

$  2,602,097

$  2,441,592

For the three months ended
February 29,

For the nine months ended
February 29,

2020

2019

2020

2019

Net income (loss)

$  5,697

$  (108,209)

$  14,209

$  (32,259)

Income taxes (recovery)

5,514

(11,463)

6,040

401

Finance (income) expense, net

7,352

(3,579)

17,615

(9,493)

Non-operating (income) loss

(9,848)

33,995

(34,719)

(79,811)

Amortization

13,301

5,469

34,832

14,329

Share-based compensation

5,126

14,300

17,645

22,996

Fair value adjustment on sale of inventory

16,383

5,542

36,060

18,075

Fair value adjustment on growth of biological assets

(40,267)

(9,471)

(86,912)

(23,136)

Impairment

58,039

58,039

Transaction costs

2,478

942

3,904

2,930

Adjusted EBITDA from businesses under development

2,859

3,327

10,640

6,463

Adjusted EBITDA from distribution operations

(2,564)

130

(8,568)

130

 Adjusted EBITDA from cannabis operations

$  6,031

$  (10,978)

$  10,746

$  (21,336)

For the three months ended
February 29,

For the nine months ended
February 29,

2020

2019

2020

2019

Adjusted EBITDA from cannabis operations

$  6,031

$  (10,978)

$  10,746

$  (21,336)

Adjusted EBITDA from businesses under development

(2,859)

(3,327)

(10,640)

(6,463)

Adjusted EBITDA from distribution operations

2,564

(130)

8,568

(130)

Adjusted EBITDA

$  5,736

$  (14,435)

$  8,674

$  (27,929)

1

In this press release, reference is made to cannabis gross profit, cannabis gross margin, distribution gross profit, distribution gross margin, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA from cannabis operations, adjusted EBITDA from distribution operations, adjusted EBITDA from businesses under development, gram equivalents, cash costs to produce dried cannabis per gram, “all-in” cost of sales of dried cannabis per gram and capital and intangible asset expenditures – wholly-owned subsidiaries, which are not measures of financial performance under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).  These metrics and measures are not recognized measures under IFRS do not have meanings prescribed under IFRS and are as a result unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. These measures are provided as information complimentary to those IFRS measures by providing a further understanding of our operating results from the perspective of management. As such, these measures should not be considered in isolation or in lieu of review of our financial information reported under IFRS. Definitions and reconciliations for all terms above can be found in the Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the three and nine months ended February 29, 2020, filed on SEDAR and EDGAR.  

2

If the Company had cultivated the cannabis purchased, the actual “all-in” cost of sales of dried cannabis per gram may have been different.

3

For additional reference of COVID-19 issues impacting the Company, refer to the Company’s management discussion and analysis for the three and nine months ended February 29, 2020.

SOURCE Aphria Inc.

Related Links

http://aphria.com/

Canadian Cannabis Stock Aphria Jumps After Announcing Surprise Profits


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