Debra Borchardt
Vireo Health International, Inc. (OTCQX: VREOF) reported total revenue for the quarter ending in March of $12.1 million increased 34% sequentially and 110% year-over-year versus $5.8 million in the first quarter of 2019. The first-quarter net loss was $2.0 million versus the net loss of $3.4 million in the same time period in 2019. Adjusted net loss for Q1 2020 was $8.1 million, as compared to a loss of $4.8 million in the prior-year quarter.
“Our first-quarter results demonstrate the improving trajectory of our business, with sequential revenue growth of 34 percent representing the strongest quarter of growth in Vireo’s history,” said Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Kyle Kingsley, M.D. “As we continue to focus on optimizing our core medical markets, we believe there is significant untapped potential for Vireo to improve revenue growth and profitability as we increase scale in these attractive, limited-license jurisdictions.”
Expenses rose in the first quarter to $9.7 million versus $3.7 million in the first quarter of 2019, with the increase primarily attributable to increased salaries and wages, professional fees, and general and administrative expenses necessary to support the company’s growth. While the company was raising salaries for some, it also laid off 9% of its workforce. During the first quarter, the company closed its New York corporate office and the related termination of an office lease.
The company has cash on hand of $11.7 million. Total current liabilities were $7.0 million, with zero debt currently due within 12 months. The company recently completed a C$10 million private placement.
Dr. Kingsley concluded, “With most of the major development projects in our core markets effectively complete, we expect minimal capital expenditures during the remainder of the fiscal year 2020, and we should also begin to see the benefits of recent cost reduction initiatives materialize more substantially in our second-quarter results. The optionality of our valuable collection of state-based cannabis licenses and intellectual property continues to provide substantial opportunities to improve our cash position and future financial performance, and we believe our six core market strategy will enable us to begin generating positive cash flow in the first half of next year.”
The company made no mention of its recent decision to part ways with Bruce Linton. Many within the industry grumbled that the company brought in Linton in order to get the C$10 million private placement it received in March. That once it received the money, it had no need for the industry icon. Linton has his fans and detractors, but any company that aligns with him is sure to get a great deal of attention and there is no argument on that.
