Charlotte’s Web Holdings, Inc. Reports 2018 Q4 and Year-End Earnings
- Q4 revenue increases 21% QoQ to US$21.5 million
- Full year revenue grew 74% to US$69.5M with 30% Adjusted EBITDA and US$0.14 EPS
BOULDER, CO, March 28, 2019 /PRNewswire/ – Charlotte’s Web Holdings, Inc. (“Charlotte’s Web” or the “Company”) (CSE:CWEB, OTCQX:CWBHF), the market share leader in hemp-derived CBD extract products, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2018. All amounts are expressed in United States dollars. Certain metrics, including those expressed on an adjusted basis, are non-IFRS measures.
Highlights of Fourth Quarter 2018 Results versus Fourth Quarter 2017 Results
- Organic consolidated revenue growth of 71% to $21.5 million (up 21% QoQ)
- Gross profit increased 63% to $16.3 million, or 76% of consolidated revenue
- Adjusted EBITDA decreased from 37% to 20% of consolidated revenue, due to extraordinary items
- Retail doors increased more than 80% to 3,680 at December 31, 2018
- 57% of revenue from eCommerce
- 2018 Farm Bill passed on December 20, 2018 removing hemp from the Federal CSA and designating it as an agricultural commodity governed by the USDA and FDA
Highlights of 2018 Full Year Results versus Full Year 2017 Results
- Organic revenue growth of 74% to $69.5 million
- Gross profit increased 75% to $52.3 million, or 75% of consolidated revenue
- Adjusted EBITDA decreased from 36% to 30% of consolidated revenue
Highlights Subsequent to December 31, 2018
- Executive leadership expansion with COO and CGO additions
- Record harvest of 675,000 pounds securing inventory to meet future demand
- Hemp Authority Certification received
- FDA commits to working with hemp industry on hemp product regulations
- First product orders shipped to three national retail grocery and drug chains in select locations
At the end of the fourth quarter the 2018 Farm Bill was successfully passed by U.S. Congress, providing the needed clarity and catalyst for expansion of the hemp industry.
We believe this important legislation will have a positive impact on consumer access to hemp-derived CBD products and for our valuable farming communities throughout the country. During the fourth quarter we concentrated our efforts on completing the 2018 harvest and building product inventory to support growing consumer demand.
Hess Moallem, President and CEO
Our 2018 harvest resulted in 675,000 pounds of raw hemp compared to 63,000 pounds in 2017. The record harvest benefited from excellent growing conditions and the unique expertise we’ve accumulated over the past five years of cultivating the complex hemp plant. This inventory build ensures we are able to meet growing demand and supply the large national retail chains that are beginning to carry our products.
Product sales increased year-over-year with human nutrition products, topicals and animal nutrition products growing by 76%, 1085% and 189%, respectively. (The canine line is growing from a smaller base as it was launched in February of 2018.) “In general, broader consumer awareness of the benefits of cannabinoids, namely cannabidiol (CBD) from hemp extract, is driving increased uptake in all product categories in our retail channels and e-commerce platform,” added Mr. Moallem.
The Company has been actively adding additional retail distribution customers and locations. Initially available in natural health stores throughout the United States, increased education and understanding of hemp extract has been driving demand for Charlotte’s Web products through ever larger retail chains. The Company recently surpassed 4,000 locations after national retail chains began carrying Charlotte’s Web products. Today, Charlotte’s Web can be found on the shelves at a growing number of national brand grocery and drug chains in select stores and states.
Charlotte’s Web is the market leader in the rapidly expanding hemp-derived CBD wellness markets, dedicated to producing the highest quality products and efficacy. Several new products and formats are planned for 2019 in animal nutrition, wellness topicals and human consumables.
Fourth Quarter and Year-to-Date 2018 Results
The following table sets forth selected financial information for the periods indicated.
The following information sets forth selected quarterly revenue information for the Company’s eight most recent fiscal quarters.
Revenue for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 (Q4-2018) totaled $21.5 million, compared to $12.6 million for the same period in 2017, representing a 71% increase. On a year-over-year basis for Q4-2018, e-commerce revenue grew by 58% and wholesale, distributor and retail revenue grew by 76%. During Q4 2018 and 2017, e-commerce sales accounted for 57% and 59% of total sales, respectively. Revenue from human nutrition products, topicals and animal nutrition products grew by 73%, 373% and 126%, respectively (the Company’s canine products were introduced in February of 2017).
Revenue for the year 2018 totaled $69.5 million, compared to $40.0 million for 2017, representing a 74% increase. On a year-over-year basis for 2018, e-commerce revenue grew by 51% and wholesale, distributor and retail revenue grew by 126%. For 2018, revenue from human nutrition, topical and canine products grew by 76%, 1085% and 189%, respectively. The Company’s topical and canine products each accounted for approximately 4% of total revenue during 2018.
Gross profit totaled $16.3 million for Q4- 2018, compared to $10.0 million for the same period in 2017, a year-over-year increase of 63%. As a percent of total revenue, gross profit in Q4-2018 was 76%, compared to 80% for the same period in 2017.
Gross profit totaled $52.3 million for 2018, compared to $29.9 million for the same period in 2017, a year-over-year increase of 75%. As a percent of total revenue, gross profit for 2018 and 2017 was 75%.
For Q4-2018 and Q4-2017, sales and marketing expenses were $4.4 million and $1.7 million, respectively (year-to-date $12.8 million and $5.9 million, respectively). As a percent of revenue, sales and marketing expenses for the quarters ending Q4-2018 and Q4-2017 were 20.6% and 13.5%, respectively (year-to-date 18.4% and 14.8%, respectively).
For Q4-2018 and Q4-2017, general and administrative expenses were $8.1 million and $4.2 million, respectively (year-to-date $22.3 million and $11.5 million, respectively). As a percent of revenue, general and administrative expenses for the quarters ending Q4-2018 and Q4-2017 were 37.7% and 33.4%, respectively (year-to-date 32.1% and 28.7%, respectively). General and administrative expenses during Q4-2018 included non-recurring expenses for legal related expenditures associated with regulatory activities (both domestic and international), governance and securities related activities associated with its recent public company status. Combined, these extraordinary expenses resulted in Adjusted EBITDA margins for the quarter below the Company’s historical average. While growth and margins may vary quarterly, management anticipates Adjusted EBITDA to generally be within 30% to 35% of revenue on an annualized basis, in line with its historical norms.
Net Income for Q4-2018 was $3.2 million, or $0.03 per share, (year-to-date $11.8 million or $0.14 per share) compared to $2.4 million, or $0.03 per share, (year-to-date $7.5 million or $0.09 per share) during the same period in 2017. Excluding IPO related costs of $1.3 million in 2018, net income for the year was $13.1 million, or $0.16 per share, a 76% year-over-year increase.
Adjusted EBITDA1 as a percentage of consolidated revenue for Q4-2018 and Q4-2017 was 20% and 37%, respectively. For the year 2018 and 2017, adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of consolidated revenue was 30% and 36%, respectively.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
The Company used $2.4 million of cash in operations during Q4-2018 compared to $2.7 million of cash provided from operations during Q4-2017. The reduction in cash flows from operations primarily reflects the investment in inventory associated with the 2018 hemp crop and other raw materials used in the production process in anticipation of materially increasing revenue opportunities. The Company’s cash at December 31, 2018 was $73.4 million compared to $7.1 million on December 31, 2017. Working capital at December 31, 2018 was $93.8 million.
Consolidated Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis
The Company’s audited consolidated annual financial statements and accompanying notes for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and related management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations (“MD&A”) are available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at https://investors.cwhemp.com.
Conference Call
Management will host a conference call to discuss the Company’s fourth quarter and annual 2018 results at 8:30 am ET on Friday, March 29, 2019. To participate in the call, please dial 1-647-427-7450 or 1-888-231-8191 approximately 10 minutes before the conference call and provide conference ID 3092088. A recording of the call will be available through April 5, 2019. To listen to the rebroadcast please dial 1-416-849-0833 and provide the same conference ID.
A webcast of the call can be accessed through the investor relations section of the Charlotte’s Web website.
About Charlotte’s Web Holdings, Inc.
Charlotte’s Web Holdings, Inc. is the market leader in the production and distribution of innovative hemp-derived cannabidiol (“CBD”) wellness products. Founded by the Stanley Brothers, the Company’s premium quality products start with proprietary hemp genetics that are responsibly manufactured into hemp-derived CBD extracts naturally containing a full spectrum of phytocannabinoids, including CBD, terpenes, flavonoids and other beneficial hemp compounds. Industrial hemp products are non-intoxicating. Charlotte’s Web product categories include CBD Oil tinctures (liquid products), CBD capsules, CBD topicals, as well as CBD pet products. Charlotte’s Web hemp-derived CBD extracts are sold through select distributors, brick and mortar retailers, and online through the Company’s website at www.CharlottesWeb.com. The rate the Company pays for agricultural products reflects a fair and sustainable rate driving higher quality yield, encouraging good farming practices, and supporting U.S. farming communities.
Charlotte’s Web is a socially conscious company and is committed to using business as a force for good and a catalyst for innovation. The Company weighs sound business decisions with consideration for how its efforts affect its employees, customers, the environment, and the communities where its employees live and where it does business, while maximizing profits and strengthening its brands. The Company’s management believes that socially oriented actions have a positive impact on the Company, its employees and its shareholders. Charlotte’s Web donates a portion of its pre-tax earnings to charitable organizations.
Shares of Charlotte’s Web trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol “CWEB” and in the United States on the OTCQX under the symbol “CWBHF”. Charlotte’s Web has 24,095,294 Common Shares outstanding and 172,896.15 Proportionate Voting Shares convertible at 400:1, for an effective equivalent of 93,253,754 Common Shares outstanding.
¹Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Adjusted EBITDA) is not a recognized performance measure under IFRS. The term EBITDA consists of net income (loss) and excludes interest (financing costs), taxes and depreciation. Adjusted EBITDA also excludes share-based compensation, IPO related costs, impairment of assets and adjustments for fair valuing of biological assets. Adjusted EBITDA is included as a supplemental disclosure because Management believes that such measurement provides a better assessment of the Company’s operations on a continuing basis by eliminating certain non-cash charges and charges or gains that are nonrecurring. The most directly comparable measure to adjusted EBITDA calculated in accordance with IFRS is net income (loss). The following is a reconciliation of the Company’s net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA.
Original Press Release