Debra Borchardt
It’s time for your Daily Hit of cannabis financial news for January 8, 2019.
On The Site
KushCo Holdings
Cannabis packaging company KushCo Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB: KSHB) reported that revenue rose 186% in the fiscal first quarter of 2019 to $25.3 million. Revenue increased by 26.5% sequentially from $20 million in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2018.
The company said it had to weather several challenges. Cash dropped to $3 million as of November 30, 2018, versus $13.5 million as of August 31, 2018. KushCo said that rapid demand for product and timing of inventory purchases leading up to Chinese New Year resulted in a decreased cash position and overall working capital headwinds. Gross profits were equal to 12.8%, compared with 34.8% in the prior year period.
Headset
Cannabis data company Headset secured $12.1 million in funding in a Series A round of financing. The company, launched in 2015 by the trio that co-founded Leafly, was able to raise the capital from another equally top-notch group of cannabis investors that included Poseidon Asset Management and AFI Capital Partners and Canopy Rivers Inc. (TSXV: RIV).
Headset said that the money would be used to improve current products and services; expanding the company’s offerings to additional U.S. states and international markets, and support Headset’s partnerships and strategic alliances. It will also help the company serve new customers from the consumer packaged goods, beverage/alcohol, and financial industries, who are taking an increased interest in cannabis.
In Other News
Aurora Cannabis Inc (NYSE: ACB) said it expects to report revenue between $50 million and $55 million for the fiscal second quarter ended Dec. 31. This figure is higher than the $11.7 million posted for the same period last year and the $29.7 million reported in the previous quarter. That should have been welcome news but analysts had expected $67 million and the stock tumbled.
CannTrust Holdings Inc. (TSX: TRST) applied to list its common shares on the New York Stock Exchange.
The Knesset, the legislative branch of Israel, overwhelmingly approved the medical cannabis export law in all three readings with final approval of 21-0. The next step is for Netanyahu and his cabinet to give the final approval of the bill. Last time a cannabis export law was sent to Netanyahu, it was vetoed but lawmakers are optimistic that it will pass this time
Isracann Biosciences Inc., an Israeli-based cannabis firm, announced today it has completed a letter of intent for up to $15 million in funding to break ground on outdoor greenhouses for cannabis cultivation as the company plans to become the world’s foremost cannabis producer specializing in low-cost, superior quality cannabis.
HARDCAR Distribution announced today that it has secured the ability to do $1 billion in escrow.
Univo, the public company controlling the full medical cannabis supply chain, signed a partnership with a cannabis farm in Israel that will enable Univo to deliver 3 tons of cannabis a year for at least 3 years. Over the course of three years, this deal will be worth around $12.5 million.HARDCAR Distribution announced today that it has secured the ability to do $1 billion in escrow. The company has been working diligently to support the cannabis industry over the past 3 years, searching for ways to help their clients in any way possible.
