Cronos Group Reports 2021 First Quarter Results
- Receives processing license for the commercial production and sale of cannabinoids using biosynthesis
- Announces plans to launch Spinach™ branded edibles to the Canadian adult-use market
- Launches transformative Lord Jones™ brand campaign entitled, “A Higher Order”
- Cronos Israel expands PEACE NATURALS™ brand into the pre-roll category in the Israeli medical market
TORONTO, May 07, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) (“Cronos Group” or the “Company”), today announces its 2021 First Quarter business results.
This quarter for Cronos Group would not have been possible without the tenacious and innovative efforts put forward by every Cronos employee across our organization.
Kurt Schmidt, President and CEO, Cronos Group
In the first quarter of 2021 our results in Canada were impacted by market dynamics due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing stay-at-home orders and various other restrictions. Despite this, we continued to push forward our innovation pipeline and execute on our strategy, which was a true testament to the strength of our team.
“In March, we were recognized as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies for our joint venture with Ginkgo Bioworks to produce cannabinoids using biosynthesis. Our partnership with Ginkgo is critical to executing our Company’s vision: to transform industries through cannabinoid innovation. A critical component to commercializing fermented cannabinoids is a Health Canada processing license, which Cronos Fermentation received in April. Receiving this license is a great accomplishment and I am looking forward to bringing our innovative product pipeline to market over time utilizing this technology. This partnership is a global effort for our organization, and it is a great demonstration of how our research and development and innovation teams across regions work together to push critical projects forward. Last month, we also announced our U.S. Cronos Employees Political Action Committee as well as a robust Marketing Code of Conduct that all of our brands and employees have pledged to uphold. We’re proud to be on the record supporting responsible legalization efforts in the United States.”
Financial Results
First Quarter 2021
- Net revenue of $12.6 million in Q1 2021 increased by $4.2 million from Q1 2020. The increase year-over-year was primarily driven by continued growth in the adult-use Canadian cannabis market, sales in the Israeli medical cannabis market, and an increase in sales in the U.S. segment driven by new U.S. hemp-derived CBD products introductions, partially offset by strategic price reductions on various adult-use cannabis products in Canada in the second half of 2020.
- Gross loss of $3.0 million in Q1 2021 decreased by $3.5 million from Q1 2020. The decrease in losses year-over-year was primarily driven by an increase in net revenue and a decrease in inventory write-downs in the Rest of World (“ROW”) segment.
- Adjusted EBITDA loss of $37.1 million in Q1 2021 increased marginally from Q1 2020. The marginal increase in losses year-over-year was primarily driven by an increase in sales and marketing costs due to brand development in the U.S. segment, and an increase in research and development (“R&D”) costs driven by increased spending on product development and developing cannabinoid intellectual property. Partially offset by decreases in sales and marketing spend in the ROW segment, gross loss and general and administrative expenses.
Business Updates
Brand and Product Portfolio
In April 2021, Cronos Group announced that its Lord Jones™ brand launched a brand campaign entitled, “A Higher Order”. The campaign features new creative assets along with a mix of market activations including out-of-home advertising and television spots in select U.S. test markets. This new Lord Jones™ campaign reaffirms the Company’s commitment to robust, breakthrough marketing and brand building that aims to bring high-quality U.S. hemp-derived CBD products to adult consumers.
In the coming weeks, Cronos Group’s mainstream adult-use brand, Spinach™, intends to launch edibles, a new product category for Cronos Group, in the Canadian adult-use market. This product has been developed by the Company’s world class innovation and R&D teams in partnership with various teams throughout the organization such as consumer insights, marketing, and sales. Cronos Group approaches product launches with an aim to be the best, not necessarily the first. The adult-use edibles are differentiated from what is currently on the market and seeks to provide an elevated experience for the consumer. The Company’s new edible capabilities will serve as a platform for future innovation that is expected to provide Cronos Group with a robust competitive advantage.
In April 2021, the Lord Jones™ brand launched a new product, the Lord Jones™ CBD Bump & Smooth Body Serum, which is designed to deliver non-abrasive chemical exfoliation that reduces bumpiness to reveal smoother, brighter looking skin. The product is available on the Lord Jones™ website and is expected to be on Sephora’s website and in their retail outlets in the coming weeks.
In the first quarter of 2021, Cronos Israel successfully launched PEACE NATURALS™ branded pre-rolls into the Israeli medical cannabis market. This launch follows the successful launch of dried flower and oils to the Israeli medical cannabis market in 2020. Cronos Israel continues to execute in Israel’s rapidly growing market.
Global Supply Chain
In the first quarter of 2021, Natuera, the Company’s joint venture in Latin America, successfully exported THC cannabis derivatives from Colombia to the U.S. for R&D purposes. The import was conducted under a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) permit for R&D purposes. Additionally, Natuera’s wholly owned subsidiary has been granted quotas by Colombia’s Ministry of Justice and Law and Ministry of Health and Social Protection for the cultivation and manufacture of psychoactive cannabis into THC products for commercial export.
In the first quarter of 2021, Cronos GrowCo, the Company’s joint venture in Canada, continued to become operational in phases, completing its first harvest in the first quarter of 2021. In addition to having a cultivation license for the operations contemplated by the first phase of the project, Cronos GrowCo has received a processing license, allowing it to sell into the Canadian cannabis wholesale market.
Intellectual Property Initiatives
In April 2021, Cronos Fermentation, Cronos Group’s GMP-standard fermentation and manufacturing facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba, received its processing license. This is a significant milestone not just for Cronos Group, but for the evolution of the industry and advancements in science that will be applied in an effort to elevate the consumer experience.
Enterprise Initiatives
In April 2021, Cronos Group announced the launch of its U.S. Cronos Employees Political Action Committee (the “Employees PAC”). The Employees PAC was established to support and educate legislators who are open to responsibly advancing legislation and regulation for U.S. hemp-derived CBD products in the U.S. market and supporting a regulated, safe and legal federal cannabis industry in the U.S.
In May 2021, Cronos Group released a robust Marketing Code of Conduct (“Marketing Code”) as a commitment to consumers and a resource for employees, industry peers, partners and policy makers. The Company recognizes that there is a clear need for standards, which is why Cronos proactively created its own guidelines. The principles outlined in the Marketing Code apply to all marketing activities for all brands globally. The Marketing Code represents Cronos Group’s commitment to responsible marketing standards – from our leadership team to our external agencies, Cronos Group expects all such individuals to understand and follow these principles.
Rest of World Results
Cronos Group’s Rest of World reporting segment includes results of the Company’s operations for all markets outside of the U.S.
First Quarter 2021
- Net revenue of $10.2 million in Q1 2021 increased by $3.9 million from Q1 2020. The increase year-over-year was primarily driven by continued growth in the adult-use cannabis flower market in Canada and sales in the Israeli medical cannabis market. Partially offset by strategic price reductions on various adult-use cannabis products in Canada in the second half of 2020 and a decrease in cannabis extract sales in Canada primarily due to fluctuating provincial demand.
- Gross loss of $4.1 million in Q1 2021 decreased by $3.4 million from Q1 2020. The decrease in losses year-over-year was primarily driven by an increase in net revenue and a decrease in inventory write-downs.
- Adjusted EBITDA loss of $22.2 million in Q1 2021 decreased by $6.8 million from Q1 2020. The improvement year-over-year was primarily driven by a decrease in gross loss and a decline in general and administrative expenses. Partially offset by increased R&D costs.
United States Results
Cronos Group’s U.S. reporting segment includes results of the Company’s operations for all brands and products in the U.S.
First Quarter 2021
- Net revenue of $2.4 million in Q1 2021 increased by $0.3 million from Q1 2020. The increase year-over-year was primarily driven by the introduction of new U.S. hemp-derived CBD products.
- Gross profit of $1.2 million in Q1 2021 increased by $0.1 million from Q1 2020.
- Adjusted EBITDA loss of $9.5 million in Q1 2021 increased by $3.7 million from Q1 2020. The increase in losses year-over-year was primarily driven by an increase in sales and marketing costs related to brand development.
Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call and live audio webcast on Friday, May 7, 2021, at 8:30 a.m. EDT to discuss First Quarter 2021 business results and outlook. The call will last approximately one hour. An audio replay of the call will be archived on the Company’s website for replay. Instructions for the conference call are provided below:
- Live audio webcast: https://ir.thecronosgroup.com/events-presentations
- Toll-Free from the U.S. and Canada dial-in: (866) 795-2258
- International dial-in: (409) 937-8902
- Conference ID: 3586688
About Cronos Group
Cronos Group is an innovative global cannabinoid company with international production and distribution across five continents. Cronos Group is committed to building disruptive intellectual property by advancing cannabis research, technology and product development. With a passion to responsibly elevate the consumer experience, Cronos Group is building an iconic brand portfolio. Cronos Group’s portfolio includes PEACE NATURALS™, a global wellness platform, two adult-use brands, COVE™ and Spinach™, and three U.S. hemp-derived CBD brands, Lord Jones™, Happy Dance™ and PEACE+™. For more information about Cronos Group and its brands, please visit: www.thecronosgroup.com.
Non-GAAP Measures
Cronos Group reports its financial results in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the U.S. (“US GAAP”). This press release refers to measures not recognized under US GAAP (“non-GAAP measures”). These non-GAAP measures do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by US GAAP and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Rather, these non-GAAP measures are provided as a supplement to corresponding US GAAP measures to provide additional information regarding our results of operations from management’s perspective. Accordingly, non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with US GAAP. All non-GAAP measures presented in this press release are reconciled to their closest reported US GAAP measure.
Adjusted EBITDA
Management reviews Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure which excludes non-cash items or items that do not reflect management’s assessment of on-going business performance. Management defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) before interest, tax expense, depreciation and amortization adjusted for: impairment loss on property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets, loss (gain) on revaluation of derivative liabilities, other loss (income), loss from discontinued operations, share-based payments and review costs related to the restatement of the Company’s 2019 interim financial statements, the Company’s responses to the reviews of such interim financial statements by various regulatory authorities and legal costs defending shareholder class action complaints brought against the Company as a result of the restatement (see Part II, Item 1 “Legal Proceedings” of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021 for a discussion of the regulatory reviews and shareholder class action complaints relating to the restatement of the 2019 interim financial statements).
Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful insight into underlying business trends and results and provides a more meaningful comparison of period-over-period results. Management uses Adjusted EBITDA for planning, forecasting and evaluating business and financial performance, including allocating resources and evaluating results relative to employee compensation targets.
Adjusted EBITDA by segment
Management also reviews adjusted earnings (loss) before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization by segment (“Adjusted EBITDA by segment”), a non-GAAP measure which excludes non-cash items or items that do not reflect management’s assessment of on-going business performance. Corporate expenses are removed from Adjusted EBITDA by segment. Corporate expenses are expenses that relate to the consolidated business. The Company’s method of allocating corporate expenses is refined periodically. Management defines Adjusted EBITDA by segment as net income (loss) by segment before interest, tax expense, depreciation and amortization adjusted for the same items that are adjusted in consolidated Adjusted EBITDA.
Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA by segment provides useful insight into underlying segment trends and results and provides a more meaningful comparison of period-over-period segment results. Management uses Adjusted EBITDA by segment for planning, forecasting and evaluating business and financial performance, including allocating resources and evaluating results relative to employee compensation targets.
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA by segment is reconciled to net income (loss) as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
Other items affecting the comparability of net income (loss) during Q1 2021 and Q1 2020
Interest income, net
For Q1 2021, we reported interest income, net of $2.3 million representing a decrease of $5.4 million from Q1 2020. Net interest income in the first quarter of 2021 decreased compared to the first quarter of 2020 primarily due to a lower interest earning account during the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the interest earning accounts during the three months ended March 31, 2020.
Gain/loss on revaluation of derivative liabilities
For Q1 2021, we reported a loss on revaluation of derivative liabilities of $116.9 million representing a decrease of $230.2 million from Q1 2020. The valuation of derivative liabilities is based on inputs such as the Company’s share price and volatility, expected term and expected risk-free interest rate which have in the past, and may in the future, fluctuate significantly period-to-period. The Company expects continued changes in derivative valuations. For further information, see Note 5. Derivative Liabilities to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements under Item 1 “Financial Statements” of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021.
Review costs related to restatement of 2019 interim financial statements
For Q1 2021, we reported review costs related to the restatement of 2019 interim financial statements of $2.0 million, which are included within general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of net income (loss) representing a decrease of $2.4 million from Q1 2020. These financial statement review costs include costs related to the restatement of the Company’s 2019 interim financial statements, costs related to the Company’s responses to requests for information from various regulatory authorities relating to such restatement and legal costs defending shareholder class action complaints brought against the Company as a result of the restatement.
Impairment loss on property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets
For Q1 2021, we reported an impairment loss on property, plant and equipment of $1.0 million related to leasehold improvements located within leased premises, encompassing approximately 6,000 square feet, in Los Angeles, California, which the Company determined it no longer had plans to use. An impairment loss on the associated right-of-use asset of $0.7 million was also recorded during Q1 2021. No impairment loss was recognized on leasehold improvements or right-of-use assets during Q1 2020.
Foreign currency exchange rates
All currency amounts in this Press Release are stated in U.S. dollars (“USD”), which is our reporting currency, unless otherwise noted. All references to “dollars” or “$” are to USD. The assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign operations are translated into USD at the exchange rate in effect as of March 31, 2021, December 31, 2020, and March 31, 2020. Transactions affecting shareholders’ equity are translated at historical foreign exchange rates. The consolidated statements of net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) and the consolidated statements of cash flows of the Company’s foreign operations are translated into USD by applying the average foreign exchange rate in effect for the reporting period using Bloomberg.
The exchange rates used to translate from USD to Canadian dollars (“C$”) is shown below:
