Aurora Cannabis Announces Fiscal First Quarter 2021 Results
Aurora Cannabis (ACB) reported Q1 2021 net revenue of $67.8 million, a slight increase from the previous quarter, driven by strong growth in the international medical market, which rose 41%. The company's medical cannabis revenue was $33.5 million while consumer cannabis revenue dipped to $34.3 million, a 3% decline. Notable achievements include an adjusted gross margin of 48% and improved liquidity, with a cash balance of approximately $250 million. However, an adjusted EBITDA loss of $57.9 million was reported, primarily due to restructuring costs.
- International medical revenue grew 41% quarter over quarter.
- Adjusted gross margin before fair value adjustments remained strong at 48%.
- Cash balance improved to approximately $250 million.
- Adjusted EBITDA loss of $57.9 million, including significant restructuring costs.
- Consumer cannabis revenue decreased by 3%, signaling challenges in market performance.
- #1 Canadian Medical Position by Cannabis Net Revenue & Strong International Medical Growth
- Cannabis Net Revenue of
$67.8 million , Adjusted Gross Margin of48% , or52% Excluding Nordic 1 Ramp Up Costs - Achieved Targeted SG&A During Q1 2021
NYSE | TSX: ACB
EDMONTON, AB, Nov. 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Aurora Cannabis Inc. (the "Company" or "Aurora") (NYSE: ACB) (TSX: ACB), the Canadian company defining the future of cannabinoids worldwide, today announced its financial and operational results for the first quarter of fiscal 2021 ended September 30, 2020.
"We continue to take the necessary steps to execute our plan and transform our business to achieve sustainable profitability, and ultimately positive cash flow," stated Miguel Martin, Chief Executive Officer of Aurora Cannabis. "Our Q1 2021 results are transitional but do highlight successes across a number of diverse profit pools. We remain the leader by revenue in the high-margin Canadian medical market, our international medical business experienced more than
"While we are not satisfied with our past performance in the growing Canadian consumer business, we have a sense of urgency in the execution of our tactical plan to grow profitable market share. Our efforts are directed at delivering the highest quality products, refocusing on our leading premium and ultra-premium brands, better allocating our sales and marketing spend, and executing key account partnerships at both the province and retail levels."
"We have also taken action to improve our liquidity and strengthen our balance sheet. It was a responsible decision to raise capital using our ATM in today's environment and the cash is expected to ensure we have the runway needed to compete with our peers. Cannabis companies are being evaluated on both their business performance and liquidity and we wanted to ensure that we are addressing both. I remain confident in Aurora's prospects and it is my utmost priority to secure our winning future."
First Quarter 2021 Highlights
(Unless otherwise stated, comparisons are made between fiscal Q1 2021 and Q4 2020 results and are in Canadian dollars)
Q1 2021 total and cannabis net revenue1 was
Adjusted gross margin before fair value adjustments on cannabis net revenue1 remained strong at
Adjusted EBITDA loss was
Cash balance at November 6, 2020 was approximately
Consumer cannabis:
- Consumer cannabis net revenue1 was
$34.3 million , a3% decrease from the prior quarter. Of note, Aurora's consumer cannabis extract net revenue increased by$3.6 million as compared to the prior quarter, driven by Aurora's focus on high-growth extract segments such as vapes, edibles and concentrates, and a$1.1 million increase in U.S. CBD. - Adjusted gross margin before fair value adjustments on consumer cannabis net revenue1 was
38% in Q1 2021 versus35% in the prior quarter, primarily driven by sales mix shifting toward higher margin derivative products
Medical cannabis:
- Medical cannabis net revenue1 was
$33.5 million , a4% increase from the prior quarter. The increase was primarily attributable to a strong performance in the international medical business, which grew41% quarter over quarter, and from consistent performance in Aurora's leading Canadian medical operation. - Adjusted gross margin before fair value adjustments on medical cannabis net revenue1 was
59% in Q1 2021 versus67% in the prior quarter. Excluding$2.6 million of ramp-up costs at Aurora Nordic 1, Q1 2021 adjusted gross margin before fair value adjustments on medical cannabis was67% .
Selling, General and Administrative ("SG&A") and Adjusted EBITDA:
- SG&A, including Research and Development ("R&D"), was
$46.9 million in Q1 2021, down$19.6 million from the prior quarter as a result of the Company's Business Transformation Plan. Included in SG&A is$4.1 million of costs related to restructuring charges, and severance and benefit costs associated with the Business Transformation Plan. Excluding these impacts, Q1 SG&A and R&D was$42.8 million . - Adjusted EBITDA1 in Q1 2021 was a loss of
$57.9 million , compared to the prior quarter Adjusted EBITDA loss of$29.6 million when excluding R&D and other restructuring costs. The Q1 increased loss is primarily attributable to the legal settlement and contract termination fees and costs associated to ongoing severance and benefits associated with the business transformation plan. Excluding these impacts, Adjusted EBITDA loss decreased by$19.1 million , or64% , to$10.5 million , the third sequential quarter of significantly improved Adjusted EBITDA.
Additional Financial Information:
- Capital Expenditures ("CapEx") were approximately
$13.2 million in Q1 2021, a decline from the$16.4 million reported in Q4 2020. - Aurora continues to execute its announced plan for reducing production and complexity through the closure of 5 cultivation facilities, with three facilities now fully closed. Supporting the Company's drive to align its production footprint to market and geographic demand, Aurora has also recently received flower and oil sales licensing at its EU GMP certified Aurora Nordic 1 facility, located in Odense, Denmark, which is expected to serve European and international medical markets.
_________________________________ | |
1 | These terms are non-GAAP measures, see "Non-GAAP Measures" below. |
Fiscal Q1 2021 Cash Use: Significant Improvement in Cash Used in Operations
Total cash use in Q1 2021 was similar to the prior quarter. However, the mix within the use of cash showed significant positive progress.
In Q1 2021, the Company used
Increased net working capital used
Given Aurora's continued strong gross margins, reduced level of SG&A expense and capital expenditures, and ongoing improvements in working capital investment, management expects the Company to continue its move toward positive cash flow during fiscal 2021.
The main components of cash source and use in Q1 2021 were as follows:
($ thousands) | Q1 2021 |
Cash Flow | |
Cash, Opening | |
Cash used in operations excluding legal | ( |
Working capital change | ( |
Legal settlement, contract termination fees and | ( |
Capital expenditures | ( |
Debt and interest payments | ( |
Cash use | ( |
Proceeds raised from sale of marketable | $- |
Proceeds raised through ATM | |
Cash raised | |
Cash, Ending |
(1) | Refer to "Condensed Consolidated Interim Statement of Cash Flows" in the "Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements (unaudited)" for our cash flow statements prepared in accordance with IAS 7 – Statement of Cash Flows. |
Q1 2021 Key Financial and Operational Metrics
Base Shelf Prospectus
($ thousands, except Operational Results) | Q1 2021 | Q4 2020 (8) | $ Change | % | ||||
Financial Results | ||||||||
Total net revenue (1) | ( | (1)% | ||||||
Cannabis net revenue (1)(2)(3a) | ||||||||
Medical cannabis net revenue (2)(3a) | ||||||||
Consumer cannabis net revenue (1)(2)(3a) | ( | (3)% | ||||||
Adjusted gross margin before FV adjustments on | 48 | % | 50 | % | N/A | (2)% | ||
Adjusted gross margin before FV adjustments on | 59 | % | 67 | % | N/A | (8)% | ||
Adjusted gross margin before FV adjustments on | 38 | % | 35 | % | N/A | |||
SG&A expense | ( | (25)% | ||||||
R&D expense | ( | (66)% | ||||||
Adjusted EBITDA (3c)(5) | ( | ( | ( | (79)% | ||||
Balance Sheet | ||||||||
Working capital | ||||||||
Cannabis inventory and biological assets (6) | ||||||||
Total assets | ( | (1)% | ||||||
Operational Results – Cannabis | ||||||||
Average net selling price of dried cannabis (2) | ||||||||
Kilograms sold (7) | 16,139 | 16,748 | (609) | (4)% |
(1) | Includes the impact of actual and expected product returns and price adjustments (three months ended September 30, 2020 - | |
(2) | These terms are defined in the "Non-GAAP Measures" section below. | |
(3) | Refer to the following sections for reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to the IFRS equivalent measure: | |
a. | Refer to the "Net Revenue" section for a reconciliation of cannabis net revenue to the IFRS equivalent. | |
b. | Refer to the "Adjusted Gross Margin" section for reconciliation to the IFRS equivalent. | |
c. | Refer to the "Adjusted EBITDA" section for reconciliation to the IFRS equivalent. | |
(4) | Included in Q1 2021 Adjusted gross margin before FV adjustments on cannabis net revenue and Adjusted gross margin before FV adjustments on medical cannabis net revenue is | |
(5) | Included in Q1 2021 Adjusted EBITDA is | |
(6) | Represents total biological assets and cannabis inventory, exclusive of merchandise, accessories, supplies and consumables. | |
(7) | The kilograms sold is offset by the grams returned during the period. | |
(8) | As a result of the Company's divestment of its wholly owned subsidiaries Aurora Larssen Projects Ltd. ("ALPS") and Aurora Hemp Europe ("AHE"), the operations of ALPS and AHE have been presented as discontinued operations and the Company's operational results have been retroactively restated, as required. Refer to Note 10(b) of the Financial Statements for more information about the divestiture. |
On October 27, 2020, Aurora announced its completion of the previously filed At-The-Market ("ATM") program and the filing of a new short form base shelf prospectus. The new base shelf prospectus is expected to provide the Company with continued financial flexibility going forward.
Conference Call
Aurora will host a conference call today, November 9, 2020, to discuss these results. Miguel Martin, Chief Executive Officer, and Glen Ibbott, Chief Financial Officer, will host the call starting at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time. A question and answer session will follow management's presentation.
DATE: | Monday, November 9, 2020 |
TIME: | 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time | 6:30 a.m. Mountain Time |
WEBCAST: | http://public.viavid.com/index.php?id=142058 |
About Aurora
Aurora is a global leader in the cannabis industry serving both the medical and consumer markets. Headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Aurora is a pioneer in global cannabis dedicated to helping people improve their lives. The Company's brand portfolio includes Aurora, Aurora Drift, San Rafael '71, Daily Special, AltaVie, MedReleaf, CanniMed, Whistler, and Reliva. Providing customers with innovative, high-quality cannabis and hemp products, Aurora's brands continue to break through as industry leaders in the medical, performance, wellness and recreational markets wherever they are launched. For more information, please visit our website at www.auroramj.com.
Aurora's Common Shares trade on the TSX and NYSE under the symbol "ACB", and is a constituent of the S&P/TSX Composite Index.
Forward Looking Statements
This news release includes certain statements which may constitute "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities law requirements (collectively, "forward-looking statements" or "FLS"). These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these FLS, except as required under applicable securities legislation. FLS relate to future events or future performance and reflect Company management's expectations or beliefs regarding future events. In certain cases, FLS can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative of these terms or comparable terminology. In this document, certain forward-looking statements are identified by words including "may", "future", "expected", "intends" and "estimates". By their very nature FLS involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the FLS. The Company provides no assurance that FLS will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on FLS. Certain FLS in this press release include, but are not limited to the following:
- pro forma measures including revenue, adjusted gross margin before fair value adjustments, and expected SG&A run-rates, and grams produced;
- the completion of construction of production facilities, associated costs, and receipt of licenses from Health Canada to produce and sell cannabis and cannabis related products from these facilities;
- strategic investments and capital expenditures, and related benefits;
- future strategic plans;
- growth in the global consumer use cannabis market;
- expectations regarding production capacity, costs and yields;
- product sales expectations and corresponding forecasted increases in net revenue; and
- the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business, operations, capital resources and/or financial results.
The above and other aspects of the Company's anticipated future operations are forward-looking in nature and, as a result, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these FLS are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them as actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Such FLS are estimates reflecting the Company's best judgment based upon current information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that other factors will not affect the accuracy of such forward-looking statements. These risks include, but are not limited to, the ability to retain key personnel, the ability to continue investing in infrastructure to support growth, the ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms, the continued quality of our products, customer experience and retention, the development of third party government and non-government consumer sales channels, management's estimates of consumer demand in Canada and in jurisdictions where the Company exports, expectations of future results and expenses, the availability of additional capital to complete construction projects and facilities improvements, the risk of successful integration of acquired business and operations, management's estimation that SG&A will grow only in proportion of revenue growth, the ability to expand and maintain distribution capabilities, the impact of competition, the general impact of financial market conditions, the yield from cannabis growing operations, product demand, changes in prices of required commodities, competition, and the possibility for changes in laws, rules, and regulations in the industry, epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises, including the current outbreak of COVID-19. Readers are urged to consider the risks, uncertainties and assumptions carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such information.
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying factors or assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward looking statements. Material factors or assumptions involved in developing forward-looking statements include, without limitation, publicly available information from governmental sources as well as from market research and industry analysis and on assumptions based on data and knowledge of this industry which the Company believes to be reasonable.
Although the Company believes that the expectations conveyed by the forward-looking statements are reasonable based on the information available to the Company on the date hereof, no assurance can be given as to future results, approvals or achievements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The Company disclaims any duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this Annual Information form except as otherwise required by applicable law.
Non-GAAP Measures
The Company uses certain financial performance measures that are not recognized or defined under IFRS (termed "Non-GAAP Measures"). As a result, this data may not be comparable to data presented by other licensed producers of cannabis and cannabis companies. For an explanation of these measures to related comparable financial information presented in the consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS, refer to the discussion below. The Company believes that these Non-GAAP Measures are useful indicators of operating performance and are specifically used by management to assess the financial and operational performance of the Company. These Non-GAAP Measures include, but are not limited, to the following:
- Cannabis net revenue represents revenue from the sale of cannabis products, excluding excise taxes. Cannabis net revenue is further broken down as follows:
- Medical cannabis net revenue represents Canadian and international cannabis net revenue for medical cannabis sales only, excluding wholesale bulk cannabis net revenue.
- Consumer cannabis net revenue represents cannabis net revenue for consumer cannabis sales only.
- Management believes the cannabis net revenue measures provide more specific information about the net revenue purely generated from our core cannabis business and by market type.
- Average net selling price per gram and gram equivalent is calculated by taking cannabis net revenue divided by total grams and grams equivalent of cannabis sold in the period. Average net selling price per gram and gram equivalent is further broken down as follows:
- Average net selling price per gram of dried cannabis represents the average net selling price per gram for dried cannabis sales only, excluding wholesale bulk cannabis sold in the period.
- Average net selling price per gram and gram equivalent of consumer cannabis represents the average net selling price per gram and gram equivalent for dried cannabis and cannabis extracts sold in the consumer market.
- Management believes the average net selling price per gram or gram equivalent measures provide more specific information about the pricing trends over time by product and market type.
- Adjusted gross profit before FV adjustments on cannabis net revenue represents cash gross profit and gross margin on cannabis net revenue and is calculated by subtracting from total cannabis net revenue (i) cost of sales, before the effects of changes in FV of biological assets and inventory; (ii) cost of sales from non-cannabis auxiliary support functions; and removing (iii) depreciation in cost of sales; and (iv) cannabis inventory impairment. Adjusted gross margin before FV adjustments on cannabis net revenue is calculated by dividing adjusted gross profit before FV adjustments on cannabis net revenue divided by cannabis net revenue. Adjusted gross profit and gross margin before FV adjustments on cannabis net revenue is further broken down as follows:
- Adjusted gross profit and gross margin before FV adjustments on medical cannabis net revenue represents adjusted gross profit and gross margin before FV adjustments on sales generated in the medical market only.
- Adjusted gross profit and gross margin before FV adjustments on consumer cannabis net revenue represents adjusted gross profit and gross margin before FV adjustments on sales generated in the consumer market only.
- Management believes that these measures provide useful information to assess the profitability of our cannabis operations as it represents the cash gross profit and margin generated from cannabis operations and excludes the effects of non-cash FV adjustments on inventory and biological assets, which are required by IFRS.
- Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as net (loss) income excluding interest income (expense), accretion, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, changes in fair value of inventory sold, changes in fair value of biological assets, share-based compensation, acquisition costs, foreign exchange, changes in fair value of financial instruments, gains and losses on deemed disposal, and non-cash impairment of intangibles, goodwill, inventory, property, plant and equipment and other assets. Adjusted EBITDA is intended to provide a proxy for the Company's operating cash flow and is widely used by industry analysts to compare Aurora to its competitors, and derive expectations of future financial performance for Aurora. Adjusted EBITDA increases comparability between comparative companies by eliminating variability resulting from differences in capital structures, management decisions related to resource allocation, and the impact of FV adjustments on biological assets and inventory and financial instruments, which may be volatile and fluctuate significantly from period to period.
Non-GAAP measures should be considered together with other data prepared accordance with IFRS to enable investors to evaluate the Company's operating results, underlying performance and prospects in a manner similar to Aurora's management. Accordingly, these non-GAAP measures are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
Net Revenue
Three months ended | ||
September 30, 2020 | June 30, 2020(1) | |
Medical cannabis net revenue | 33,474 | 32,226 |
Consumer cannabis net revenue | 34,338 | 35,266 |
Total cannabis net revenue | 67,812 | 67,492 |
Ancillary net revenue | - | 1,236 |
Total net revenue | 67,812 | 68,728 |
(1) | As a result of the Company's divestment of its wholly owned subsidiary AHE, the operations of AHE have been presented as discontinued operations and the Company's operational results have been retroactively restated, as required. Refer to Note 10(b) of the Financial Statements for more information about the divestitures. Discontinued operations from AHE had incurred ancillary net revenue of |
Adjusted Gross Margin
($ thousands) | Medical Cannabis | Consumer | Ancillary | Total | ||||
Three months ended September 30, 2020 (1) | ||||||||
Net revenue | 33,474 | 34,338 | - | 67,812 | ||||
Cost of sales | (18,150) | (25,144) | - | (43,294) | ||||
Gross profit before FV adjustments | 15,324 | 9,194 | - | 24,518 | ||||
Depreciation in cost of sales | 4,587 | 3,783 | — | 8,370 | ||||
Adjusted gross profit before FV adjustments | 19,911 | 12,977 | - | 32,888 | ||||
Adjusted gross margin before FV adjustments | 59 | % | 38 | % | - | % | 48 | % |
Three months ended June 30, 2020 (1) | ||||||||
Net revenue | 32,226 | 35,266 | 1,236 | 68,728 | ||||
Cost of sales | (32,118) | (100,266) | (6,448) | (138,832) | ||||
Gross profit (loss) before FV adjustments | 108 | (65,000) | (5,212) | (70,104) | ||||
Depreciation | 3,073 | 4,703 | — | 7,776 | ||||
Inventory impairment in cost of sales | 18,260 | 72,749 | 5,853 | 96,862 | ||||
Adjusted gross profit before FV adjustments | 21,441 | 12,452 | 641 | 34,534 | ||||
Adjusted gross margin before FV adjustments | 67 | % | 35 | % | 52 | % | 50 | % |
(1) | As a result of the Company's divestment of its wholly owned subsidiary AHE, the operations of AHE have been presented as discontinued operations and the Company's operational results have been retroactively restated, as required. Please see Note 10(b) of the Financial Statements for more information about the divestiture. Discontinued operations from AHE had incurred a nominal adjusted gross loss before FV adjustments for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and |
Adjusted EBITDA
($ thousands) | |||
September 30, 2020 (1) | June 30, 2020 (1) | ||
Net (loss) income from continuing operations | (107,160) | (1,851,023) | |
Finance costs | 14,691 | 29,101 | |
Interest (income) expense | (1,267) | 483 | |
Income tax expense (recovery) | 611 | (68,114) | |
Depreciation and amortization | 22,444 | 22,472 | |
EBITDA | (70,681) | (1,867,081) | |
Changes in fair value of inventory sold | 3,304 | 43,153 | |
Unrealized gain on changes in fair value of biological assets | (5,407) | (11,879) | |
Share-based compensation | 6,861 | 6,021 | |
Acquisition costs | 1,104 | 2,170 | |
Foreign exchange loss (gain) | (7,427) | (3,001) | |
Share of loss from investment in associates | 373 | 2,601 | |
Losses (gains) on financial instruments (2) | 7,366 | (3,265) | |
Losses (gains) on deemed disposal of significant influence investment | 1,443 | (11,955) | |
Losses on disposal of assets held for sale and property, plant, and | 922 | — | |
Restructuring charges | 210 | 1,947 | |
Impairment of inventory, investment in associate, property, plant and | 4,041 | 1,809,026 | |
Adjusted EBITDA (4) | (57,891) | (32,263) |
(1) | As a result of the Company's divestment of its wholly owned subsidiaries ALPS and AHE, the operations of ALPS and AHE have been presented as discontinued operations and the Company's operational results have been retroactively restated, as required. Refer to Note 10(b) of the Financial Statements for more information about the divestiture. Including the results of ALPS and AHE, adjusted EBITDA loss would have been |
(2) | Includes fair value changes on derivative investments, derivative liability, contingent consideration, and (gain) loss on the modification of debt. Refer to Note 19 of the Financial Statements. |
Included in the three months ended September 30, 2020 Adjusted EBITDA loss is
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SOURCE Aurora Cannabis Inc.
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