Decibel Announces First Quarter Results
Decibel Cannabis Company announced its unaudited interim financial results for Q1 2024 ending March 31. The company reported a net revenue of $21 million, reflecting a 16% year-over-year decline. This decrease was driven by increased competition and a shift in consumer preferences.
Gross margin before fair value adjustments stood at 48%, down from 51% in Q1 2023. The adjusted EBITDA was $3.6 million, showing a 45% decrease. Despite these declines, Decibel maintained a free cash flow of $375,000, 79% lower than the previous year. Adjusted net loss for the quarter was $3.5 million, significantly impacted by a $3.3 million asset impairment. National market share was at 6%, making Decibel the 4th largest licensed producer in Canada. CEO Benjamin Sze remains optimistic about future growth and profitability.
- Decibel holds a 6% national market share, ranking 4th among licensed producers in Canada.
- Net revenue for Q1 2024 was $21 million.
- Gross margin before fair value adjustments was 48%.
- Decibel maintained positive free cash flow of $375,000.
- Company in compliance with all financial covenants.
- Net revenue dropped 16% year-over-year due to increased competition and shifting consumer preferences.
- Gross margin decreased from 51% to 48% year-over-year.
- Adjusted EBITDA fell by 45% to $3.6 million.
- Free cash flow declined by 79% compared to the previous year.
- Adjusted net loss of $3.5 million, significantly impacted by a $3.3 million asset impairment.
"Despite the drop in revenue, we remain one of
First Quarter Highlights
- National Market Share(1) of
6.0% in Q1 2024, which placed Decibel as the 4th largest licensed producer inCanada by market share. - Net Revenue was
$21.0 million 16% . Net revenue decrease driven by increased competition in the infused pre-roll segment, vape consumers switching towards large format 510 cartridges and disposables and the halting of exports toIsrael as the Company transitioned to a new distribution partner. Subsequent to quarter end, Decibel has launched large format 510 cartridges and disposables. - Gross Margin Before Fair Value Adjustments was
48% in the first quarter of 2024, compared to51% in the first quarter of 2023. - Adjusted EBITDA(2) of
$3.6 million in the first quarter of 2024, with a year over year decline of45% over the first quarter of 2023. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA quarter over quarter was primarily driven by a decline in net Canadian recreational sales and international sales and the reclassification of retail financial contributions to discontinued operations, partially offset by a decrease in SG&A. - Positive Free Cash Flow(2) of
$375 thousand 79% over the first quarter of 2023. - Adjusted Net Loss(2) of
$3.5 million in the first quarter of 2024, with a decline of$6.8 million $3.3 million - Adjusted Earning Per Share ("Adjusted EPS")(3) of negative
$0.01 $0.02
Notes: |
1 HiFyre Retail Analytics, Licensed Producer Sales over Time Nationally |
2 Non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Measures" for further details. |
3 Non-GAAP ratio. Refer to "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Measures" for further details. |
Summary Highlights
Quarterly Highlights | ||
Three months ended March 31, | 2024 | 2023 |
(thousands of Canadian dollars, except where noted) | ||
Gross Canadian recreational sales 1 | ||
Net Canadian recreational sales 1 | ||
International sales 1 | ||
Number of retail stores in discontinued operations | 6 | 6 |
Total | ||
Gross revenue | ||
Net revenue | ||
Gross profit before fair value adjustments | ||
Gross margin before fair value adjustments | 48 % | 51 % |
Adjusted EBITDA 2 | ||
Net loss and comprehensive loss | ( | ( |
Adjusted net income (loss) 2 | ( | |
Cash flow from operations | ||
Free cash flow 2 | ||
Per Share Metrics | ||
Income (loss) per share | - | - |
Adjusted EPS 3 | ( |
1 Supplementary financial measure. Refer to "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Measures" for further details. |
2 Refer to "Cash Flows" in the MD&A (as defined herein) for further details. |
3 Non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Measures" for further details. |
Decibel's unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the three month period ending March 31, 2024 (the "Financial Statements") and related management's discussion & analysis for the three month period ending March 31, 2024 ("MD&A") are available under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca.
As of March 31, 2024, Decibel was in compliance with all of its financial covenants and expects to remain in compliance for the remainder of its twelve-month forecast period.
About Decibel
Decibel is a consumer-focused cannabis company focused on delivering products that delight customers through a commitment to robust innovation and product quality. Leading brands General Admission, Qwest and Vox are among its portfolio sold both across
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
Cautionary Statements
Non-GAAP Measures
This news release contains 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 and cannabis companies. For an explanation of these measures to related comparable financial information presented in the 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. 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.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that is calculated as net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) excluding unrealized gain on changes in fair value of biological assets, change in fair value of biological assets realized through inventory sold, depreciation and amortization expense, share-based compensation, other income, finance costs, foreign exchange loss, non-cash production costs and severance payments. Non-cash production costs relate to amortization expense allocations included in production costs. This non-GAAP financial measure should be considered together with other financial information prepared in accordance with IFRS to enable investors to evaluate the Decibel's operating results, underlying performance and prospects in a manner similar to Decibel's management.
EBITDA | ||
Three months ended March 31, | 2024 | 2023 |
(thousands of Canadian dollars) | ||
Net loss and comprehensive loss | (3,333) | (569) |
Unrealized gain on changes in fair value of biological assets | (4,595) | (3,954) |
Change in fair value of biological assets realized through inventory sold | 4,451 | 7,872 |
Depreciation and amortization | 1,243 | 1,037 |
Share-based compensation | 63 | 398 |
Other (income) | 12 | (68) |
Finance costs | 772 | 661 |
Foreign exchange loss | 90 | 111 |
Non-cash cost of goods sold | 732 | 1,062 |
Other adjustments | 4,154 | - |
Adjusted EBITDA | 3,589 | 6,550 |
Adjusted Net Income is a non-GAAP financial measure that is calculated as net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) excluding unrealized gain on changes in fair value of biological assets and change in fair value of biological assets realized through inventory sold. Adjusted EPS is a non-GAAP ratio that is calculated as net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) excluding unrealized gain on changes in fair value of biological assets and change in fair value of biological assets realized through inventory sold, divided by the weighted average common shares outstanding. These measures are intended to provide a proxy for the Company's net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) and are used to compare Decibel to its competitors and derive expectations of future financial performance of the Company and should be considered together with other financial information prepared in accordance with IFRS to enable investors to evaluate the Decibel's operating results, underlying performance and prospects in a manner similar to Decibel's management.
Net Income | ||
Three months ended March 31, | 2024 | 2023 |
(thousands of Canadian dollars) | ||
Net loss and comprehensive loss | (3,333) | (569) |
Unrealized gain on changes in fair value of biological assets | (4,595) | (3,954) |
Change in fair value of biological assets realized through inventory sold | 4,451 | 7,872 |
Adjusted net income (loss) | (3,477) | 3,349 |
Weighted average number of shares outstanding | 423,958,978 | 406,754,039 |
Adjusted EPS | ( |
Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure that is calculated as cash flow from operations less cash provided by (used in) investing activities. This non-GAAP financial measure should be considered together with other financial information prepared in accordance with IFRS to enable investors to evaluate the Decibel's operating results, underlying performance and prospects in a manner similar to Decibel's management.
Cash Position | ||
Three months ended March 31, | 2024 | 2023 |
(thousands of Canadian dollars) | ||
Cash provided by operating activities | 905 | 2,232 |
Cash used in investing activities | (530) | (486) |
Free cash flow | 375 | 1,746 |
Cash used in financing activities | (1,220) | (840) |
Increase/(decrease) in cash | (845) | 906 |
Cash, beginning of period | 3,481 | 2,966 |
Cash, end of period | 2,636 | 3,872 |
Non-GAAP Ratios
Adjusted earnings per share (adjusted net income (loss) divided by the number of outstanding shares) is a non-GAAP ratio, does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. The Company believes that adjusted earnings per share is a useful metric to normalize net income for biological asset accounting impacts.
Supplementary Financial Measures
International Sales is a supplementary financial measure intended to provide a more accurate depiction of international sales earned by the Company's wholesale operations.
Gross Canadian Recreational Sales is a supplementary financial measure intended to provide a more accurate depiction of gross revenue earned by the Company's wholesale operations. Inventory transferred directly from the Company's wholesale operations to the Company's retail operations is added to Gross Canadian Recreational Sales as found in the Financial Statements to arrive at Gross Canadian Recreational Sales.
Net Canadian Recreational Sales is a supplementary financial measure intended to provide a more accurate depiction of net revenue earned by the Company's wholesale operations. Inventory transferred directly from the Company's wholesale operations to the Company's retail operations is added to Net Canadian Recreational Sales as found in the Financial Statements to arrive at Net Canadian Recreational Sales.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release.
Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.
In this news release, forward-looking statements relate to, among other things: expectations that demand for Decibel's products will grow; the ability for Decibel to delight customers through the Company's product offering; the ability of the Company to extend its product offering to new countries and create a global footprint; and the Company's expectation that it will remain in compliance with all of its financial covenants under its credit facilities for the remainder of its twelve-month forecast period and its other business plans and expectations. There can be no assurance that such statements 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 the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections or other factors should they change, except as required by law.
Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: risks relating to delays, regulatory changes and impacts; capital requirements; construction impacts; the ability to obtain and maintain licences to retail cannabis products; review of the Company's production facilities by Health Canada and maintenance of licences (including any amendments thereto) from Health Canada in respect thereof; future legislative and regulatory developments involving cannabis; inability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favourable terms; the labour market generally and the ability to access, hire and retain employees; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the risk that the Company may not be able to meet consumer demand; the risk that the Company may not improve its operational capacity when anticipated or at all; the risk that Decibel may not remain in compliance with its financial covenants for the remainder of its twelve-month forecast period; and the delay or failure to receive board, regulatory or other approvals, including any approvals of the TSX Venture Exchange, as applicable.
With respect to forward-looking statements contained in this news release, Decibel has made assumptions regarding, but not limited to: growth of the brand and recognition in
Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of assumptions and risk factors is not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date hereof and Decibel does not undertake any obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless so required by applicable securities laws.
Market, Independent Third Party and Industry Data
Certain market, independent third party and industry data contained in this news release is based upon information from government or other independent industry publications and reports or based on estimates derived from such publications and reports. Government and industry publications and reports generally indicate that they have obtained their information from sources believed to be reliable, but Decibel has not conducted its own independent verification of such information. This news release also includes certain data derived from independent third parties. While Decibel believes this data to be reliable, market and industry data is subject to variations and cannot be verified with complete certainty due to limits on the availability and reliability of raw data, the voluntary nature of the data gathering process and other limitations and uncertainties inherent in any statistical survey. Decibel has not independently verified any of the data from independent third party sources referred to in this news release or ascertained the underlying assumptions relied upon by such sources.
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SOURCE Decibel Cannabis Company Inc.
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