NEW YORK — Curaleaf Holdings, Inc., a leading international provider of consumer products in cannabis, reported its financial and operating results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024. All financial information is reported in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and is provided in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.
Boris Jordan, Executive Chairman of Curaleaf, stated, “Consistent with our expectations, first quarter revenue grew 2% to $339 million, and we achieved a 48% adjusted gross margin. Adjusted EBITDA margin was $77 million or 23% of sales, expanding 40bps from last year. We ended the first quarter with $105 million of cash on the balance sheet, and generated operating and free cash flow from continuing operations(1) of $46 million and $33 million, respectively. We have started to redeploy this cash toward reducing leverage on our balance sheet, as seen by the $15 million bond repurchase executed in April. At this important inflection point in our industry and our Company, on the heels of rescheduling news, our expanded custody solutions and the advances in Europe, Curaleaf has evolved from an MSO to an MCO, a multi-country operator, a term which represents our global vision and business that today spans over 15 countries across the world. With each ensuing quarter, we will create further separation from our peers because of the strategic global lens through which we operate. We are very encouraged by the catalysts thus far with more on the horizon, and our success and future potential would not be possible without our global team members. I thank them all.”
Matt Darin, Chief Executive Officer of Curaleaf, commented, “We are laser focused on expanding the global reach of our brand portfolio, with Select, Grassroots, Curaleaf, and Four20 in Europe leading the way. In the first quarter, our team gained 33 basis points of total market share across all BDSA states, expanding our share in some of the largest markets throughout the U.S.. Our wholesale advantage is growing steadily, and we continue to innovate with new products consumers love. Our unique exposure to the most significant catalysts on the horizon – continued expansion of the NY market, expansion of Pillar 1 in Germany, and adult use in Ohio, Florida, and Pennsylvania sets us up for robust growth in 2025 and beyond. The global cannabis industry is still in its infancy and we are confident that the foundation we have built is one for long-term success.”
First Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights
- Net Revenue of $338.9 million, a year-over-year increase of 2% compared to Q1 2023 revenue of $332.6 million. Sequentially, net revenue decreased 2%
- Gross profit of $160.9 million and gross margin of 47%
- Adjusted gross profit of $161.4 million and adjusted gross margin(1) of 48%, up 120 basis points sequentially
- Net loss attributable to Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. of $48.3 million or net loss per share $0.07
- Adjusted EBITDA of $76.7 million and adjusted EBITDA margin([1]) of 23%, a 40 basis point improvement year-over-year
- Cash at quarter end totaled $105.0 million
- Operating and free cash flow from continuing operations of $46.1 million and $33.1 million, respectively
First Quarter 2024 Operational Highlights
- Opened our first adult-use store in New York’s Hudson Valley, ending the quarter with 145 U.S. retail stores.
- Launched Stir by Zero Proof, a fast-acting THC beverage mix, in Illinois.
- Launched Stiq, a new 1g all-in-one cannabis oil vape, in Arizona.
- Announced the acquisition of Northern Green Canada (NGC), a vertically integrated Canadian EU-GMP indoor cannabis producer, focused primarily on solidifying our supply chain and expanding our international presence through its EU-GMP certified facilities.
- Curaleaf International rebranded Sapphire Clinics to Curaleaf Clinics in the U.K.
- Acquired Can4Med, an experienced pharmaceutical wholesaler in Poland to enhance our market presence.
- Curaleaf International made its first wholesale shipment into Czech Republic.
Post First Quarter 2024 Operational Highlights
Completed the Northern Green Canada acquisition for a purchase price of approximately $16.0 million plus an earnout.
Purchased for cancellation $15.0 million of our Senior Secured Notes – 2026 at a discount of 7.75%, saving the Company $3.2 million of future interest payments.
Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted gross profit and free cash flow from continuing operations are non-GAAP financial measures, and adjusted EBITDA margin and adjusted gross margin are non-GAAP financial ratios, in each case without a standardized definition under GAAP and which may not be comparable to similar measures used by other issuers. See “Non-GAAP Financial Performance Measures” below for definitions and more information regarding Curaleaf’s use of non-GAAP financial measures and non-GAAP financial ratios. See the section entitled “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP financial measures” below for a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures used in this press release to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
As of March 31, 2024, the Company had $105.0 million of cash and $580.3 million of outstanding debt net of unamortized debt discounts.
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, Curaleaf invested $13.0 million, net in capital expenditures, focused on cultivation, automation, and selective retail expansion in strategic markets.
Shares Outstanding
For the first quarter of 2024 and 2023, the Company’s weighted average Subordinate Voting Shares plus Multiple Voting Shares outstanding amounted to 736,147,618 and 718,117,628 shares, respectively.
Non-GAAP Financial and Performance Measures
Curaleaf reports its financial results in accordance with GAAP and uses a number of financial measures and ratios when assessing its results and measuring overall performance. Some of these financial measures and ratios are not calculated in accordance with GAAP. Curaleaf refers to certain non-GAAP financial measures and ratios, such as “adjusted gross profit”, “adjusted gross margin”, “adjusted EBITDA” and “adjusted EBITDA margin”. These measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. The Company defines “adjusted gross profit” as gross profit net of cost of goods sold and related other add-backs. “Adjusted gross margin” is defined by Curaleaf as adjusted gross profit divided by total revenues. “Adjusted EBITDA” is defined by Curaleaf as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization less share-based compensation expense and other add-backs related to business development, acquisition, financing and reorganization costs. “Adjusted EBITDA margin” is defined by Curaleaf as adjusted EBITDA divided by total revenue. “Free cash flow from operations” is defined by Curaleaf as Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations less the Purchases of property, plant and equipment, net of proceeds from disposals (i.e. net capital expenditures). Curaleaf considers these measures to be an important indicator of the financial strength and performance of our business. We believe the adjusted results presented provide relevant and useful information for investors, because they clarify our actual operating performance, make it easier to compare our results with those of other companies and allow investors to review performance in the same way as our management. Since these measures are not calculated in accordance with GAAP, they should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, our reported GAAP financial results as indicators of our performance, and they may not be comparable to similarly named measures from other companies. The tables below provide reconciliations of Non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.
Adjusted Gross Profit from Continuing Operations (Unaudited)
Gross profit from continuing operations was $160.9 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared with $156.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Adjusted gross profit from continuing operations net of add-backs for the first quarter was $161.4 million compared with $160.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Adjusted gross profit margin from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2024 was 48%, an increase of 120 basis points compared with the fourth quarter of 2023. The quarter-over-quarter increase in adjusted gross profit margin was due to an improvement in non-absorption costs partially offset by reduced vertical mix of sales.
Adjusted EBITDA (Unaudited)
Adjusted EBITDA was $76.7 million for the first quarter of 2024, a decrease of 8% from $83.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, and an increase of 4% from $74.1 million in the first quarter of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 23%, a decrease of 140 basis points from 24% in the prior quarter and an increase of 40 basis points from 22% in the first quarter of 2023. The sequential decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to seasonally lower sales and an increase in labor expenses.
About Curaleaf Holdings
Curaleaf Holdings Inc. is a leading international provider of consumer products in cannabis with a mission to enhance lives by cultivating, sharing and celebrating the power of the plant. As a high-growth cannabis company known for quality, expertise and reliability, the Company and its brands, including Curaleaf, Select, Grassroots, JAMS, Find and Zero Proof provide industry-leading service, product selection and accessibility across the medical and adult use markets. Curaleaf International is the largest vertically integrated cannabis company in Europe with a unique supply and distribution network throughout the European market, bringing together pioneering science and research with cutting-edge cultivation, extraction and production. Curaleaf is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol CURA and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol CURLF.
Disclaimer
This press release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and United States securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking statements”). Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based on management’s current beliefs, expectations or assumptions regarding the future of the business, plans and strategies, operational results and other future conditions of the Company. In addition, the Company may make or approve certain statements in future filings with Canadian securities regulatory authorities, in press releases, or in oral or written presentations by representatives of the Company that are not statements of historical fact and may also constitute forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, made by the Company that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements preceded by, followed by or that include words such as “assumptions”, “assumes”, “guidance”, “outlook”, “may”, “will”, “would”, “could”, “should”, “believes”, “estimates”, “projects”, “potential”, “expects”, “plans”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “targeted”, “continues”, “forecasts”, “designed”, “goal” or the negative of those words or other similar or comparable words. In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, disclosure in this press release as well as statements regarding the Company’s objectives, plans and goals, including benefits of recent or future acquisitions, rebranding and product offering expansion, as well as future operating results and economic performance are forward-looking statements. These statements speak only as at the date they are made and are based on information currently available and on the then current expectations.
Holders of securities of the Company are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but instead are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time they were provided or made and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, as applicable, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to: risks and uncertainties related to the legality of cannabis in the U.S., including the fact that cannabis is a controlled substance under the United States Federal Controlled Substances Act; anti-money laundering laws and regulations; the lack of access to U.S. bankruptcy protections; financing risks, including risks related to additional financing and restricted access to banking; general regulatory and legal risks, including the potential constraints on the Company’s ability to expand its business in the U.S. by virtue of the restrictions of the TSX following the TSX listing; risk of legal, regulatory or political change; general regulatory and licensing risks; limitation on ownership of licenses; risks relating to regulatory action and approvals from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”); the fact that cannabis may become subject to increased regulation by the FDA; potential heightened scrutiny by regulatory authorities following the TSX listing; loss of foreign private issuer status; risks related to internal controls over financial reporting; litigation risks; increased costs as a result of being a public company in Canada and the U.S.; recent and proposed legislation in respect of U.S. cannabis licensing; environmental risks, including risks related to environmental regulation and unknown environmental risks; general business risks including risks related to the Company’s expansion into foreign jurisdictions; future acquisitions or dispositions; service providers; enforceability of contracts; the ability of our shareholders to resell their subordinate voting shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange; the Company’s reliance on senior management and key personnel, and the Company’s ability to recruit and retain such senior management and key personnel; competition risks; risks inherent in an agricultural business; unfavorable publicity or consumer perception; product liability; product recalls; the results of future clinical research; dependence on suppliers; reliance on inputs; risks related to limited market data and difficulty to forecast; intellectual property risks; constraints on marketing products; fraudulent or illegal activity by employees, consultants and contractors; increased labor costs based on union activity; information technology systems and cyber-attacks; security breaches; the Company’s reliance on management services agreements with subsidiaries and affiliates; website accessibility; high bonding and insurance coverage; risks of leverage; management of the Company’s growth; the fact that past performance may not be indicative of future results and that financial projections may prove materially inaccurate or incorrect; risks related to conflicts of interests; challenging global economic conditions; currency fluctuations; risks related to the Company’s business structure and securities; including the status of the Company as a holding company; no dividend record; risks related to the senior secured notes of the Company; concentrated voting control; risks related to the sale of a substantial amount of the Company’s subordinate voting shares; the volatility of the market price for the subordinate voting shares; liquidity risks associated with an investment in the subordinate voting shares; risks associated with securities or industry analysts not publishing or ceasing to publish research or reports or publishing misleading information about the Company; the potentially limited market for the subordinate voting shares for holders of the Company’s securities who live in the U.S.; shareholders having little to no rights to participate in the Company’s business affairs; enforcement against directors and officers outside of Canada may prove difficult; and tax risks; as well as those risk factors discussed under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Information Form dated March 6, 2024 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, and additional risks described in the Company’s Annual Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023 (both of which documents have been filed on the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on its EDGAR profile at www.sec.gov/edgar/html), and as described from time to time in documents filed by the Company with Canadian securities regulatory authorities. The purpose of forward-looking statements is to provide the reader with a description of management’s expectations, and such forward-looking statements may not be appropriate for any other purpose. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. A number of factors could cause actual events, performance or results to differ materially from what is projected in the forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Such forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. The Company’s forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider has reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this press release.
