Cannabis Weekly Round-Up: Canadian Leaders Post New Losses

Canopy cutting 800 jobs and closing down flagship facility

Canopy Growth's (NASDAQ:CGC,TSX:WEED) losses have become critical enough that the company will have to let go of 800 staff members and close down operations at its home base facility in Smiths Falls, Ontario.

On Thursday (February 9), the Canadian producer shared results for its third fiscal quarter of 2023.

The company reported a net loss of C$267 million, an increase from the same period during the previous year, due to “non-cash fair value changes and an increase in asset impairment and restructuring costs.”

In what the company is calling a transition to an “asset-light” model, the firm is adjusting its operations based on the financial realities of its near-term future. Its new cost-measuring activities should result in C$140 million to C$160 million in savings.

David Klein, CEO of Canopy, said the changes the company is undergoing must happen if Canopy is to reach profitability. "These changes are difficult but necessary to drive our business to profitability and growth," he said.

The company also reported a 28 percent year-on-year decrease in net revenues, resulting in C$101 million.

Shares of Canopy drastically dropped on the open market following its poor results. The company's share price had declined by 17.7 percent as of 11:56 a.m. EDT on Friday (February 10).

The company closed Thursday’s trading session at a price of US$2.27 per share.

Aurora posts net loss but operational increases savings

Similarly to Canopy, Aurora Cannabis (NASDAQ:ACB,TSX:ACB) released its latest quarterly results this week.

While posting a quarterly net loss C$67.2 million, the firm celebrated recent financial victories like positive adjusted EBITDA during its second fiscal quarter of 2023.

"Looking ahead, we are focused on profitable growth opportunities across all segments, ongoing discipline in capital deployment, and our ability to generate positive operating cash flow as we continue to build value for shareholders," Miguel Martin, CEO of Aurora, said. He added that the company has brought in approximately C$340 million in savings since February 2020.

Shares of the Canadian producer dropped early in Friday’s trading session following the release of its results. As of 11:53 a.m. EDT that day, shares of Aurora on the NASDAQ were down a marginal 0.7 percent for a price per share of US$0.91.

Over a year-to-date period, the company has gone up by 0.62 percent in value.

Cannabis company news

• Avicanna (TSX:AVCN,OTCQX:AVCNF)signed a new sub-license agreement with VB Brands California and Player Holdings for the exclusive commercialization of Viola-branded products in the UK.

• Ayr Wellness (CSE:AYR.A,OTCQX:AYRWF)will sell its Arizona assets to AZ Goat for $20 million in cash, with additional bonuses. David Goubert, president of Ayr, said the firm wants to “simplify” its business.

• Cronos Group (NASDAQ:CRON,TSX:CRON)confirmed its edibles brand Spinach reached the top spot for edibles in Canada during the month of January. The brand did so by securing a 15.8 percent share of the market.

• SNDL (NASDAQ:SNDL)completed its transaction in relation to the Superette Group's retail cannabis assets. “The SNDL team is delighted to welcome the Superette brand to further enhance our cannabis retail operations and offerings while increasing our exposure in the Ontario market," Zach George, CEO of SNDL, said.