Staff
It’s time for your Daily Hit of cannabis financial news for February 17, 2021
On The Site
Neptune
Neptune Wellness Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: NEPT) (TSX: NEPT) said has entered into an agreement with institutional investors for the purchase of 27,500,000 common shares that will bring the company gross proceeds of approximately $55.0 million before deducting fees and other estimated offering expenses. Neptune said it expects to use the net proceeds for working capital and other general corporate purposes. The Offering is expected to close on or about February 19, 2021.
MedMen
MedMen Enterprises Inc. (OTCQX: MMNFF) delivered its consolidated financial results for its second-quarter fiscal 2021 ending December 26, 2020. Net revenue across MedMen’s operations in California, Nevada, New York, Illinois, and Florida was $33.8 million for the second quarter, up 0.3% sequentially excluding Evanston. Still, the company delivered a net loss of $68.9 million which included $24.0 million of tax provision expense, compared to a net loss of $93.2 million which included a tax provision benefit of $14.6 million in the same period last year.
Hexo
HEXO Corp. (TSX: HEXO; NYSE: HEXO) is buying Zenabis Global Inc. (TSX: ZENA) in an all-stock deal valued at approximately $235 million. Zenabis had hinted that such a deal was in the making during its fight with Sundial. In January, the company had said it had started talks with another significant licensed cannabis producer, so it seems Hexo was the company. Zenabis stock has jumped over 18% to lately trade at 14 cents. The combined organization would be a top-three licensed producer in terms of combined Canadian recreational cannabis sales.
JW Asset Mgmt
While most athletes align themselves with CBD brands, five-time NBA All-Star Chris Webber announced a partnership with Jason Wild and JW Asset Management, LLC to launch a $100 million private equity cannabis fund that will invest in companies led by entrepreneurs of color pursuing careers in the cannabis sector.
The sports star is also the founder of Webber Wellness, which will join forces with JW Asset Management to invest in underrepresented entrepreneurs in the cannabis industry and provide them with an ecosystem of business resources that will facilitate research and development (R&D), cultivation, retail licensing, distribution, branding, and marketing. JW has been an active investor in the cannabis industry since 2014 with over $2 billion in assets under management, investing in numerous industry leaders spanning multi-state operators, technology, and retail companies.
In Other News
Tilray, Inc. (Nasdaq: TLRY) reported financial results for the full fiscal year and fourth quarter ended December 31, 2020. Total revenue increased to $56.6 (C$74.4) million, up 20.5% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. Cannabis segment revenue increased 46% to $41.2 million (C$53.6 million), mainly driven by acceleration of International Medical sales (+191%) and Canadian Adult-Use sales (+49%). Canadian medical sales grew 26% and there were no bulk sales to other license producers. Hemp segment revenue decreased 18% to $15.3 million (C$20.5 million) primarily due to a shift to private label product with a large customer and the impact of COVID-related changes to consumer shopping patterns.
Net loss was $(3.0) million, or $(0.02) per share, compared to net loss of $(219.8) million, or $(2.14) per share, in the fourth quarter of 2019 and net loss of $(2.3) million, or $(0.02) per share in the third quarter of 2020.
Brendan Kennedy, Tilray’s Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Over the course of 2020, and despite COVID-19 related challenges, we transformed and strengthened Tilray, delivered solid full year results, significantly reduced net loss, and achieved our stated goal of delivering break even or positive Adjusted EBITDA in Q4 2020. We did so by generating meaningful revenue growth across our core businesses, particularly international medical and Canadian adult-use in Q4, and reducing costs by $57 million on an annualized basis compared to Q4 of 2019. As a result, we now operate with a more focused, efficient and competitive cost structure. We also strengthened our balance sheet and positioned Tilray for growth and success in the future in combination with Aphria. These results required hard work and dedication and I sincerely appreciate everything the Tilray team has done to transform our business during 2020. We now look forward to the beginning of the next chapter in our corporate journey.”
