Green Thumb Industries, Inc. (CSE: GTII) added to its darling status among pot stock investors after becoming the first American weed firm to break the US$100 million barrier in quarterly sales.
On Thursday, the Chicago-based multi-state operator reported first-quarter net revenues of US$102.6 million for the three months ending March 31, which increased 35 per cent over the previous quarter.
While major Canadian cannabis companies have underwhelmed investors over the last year, America’s so-called ‘big three’ MSOs have been gaining support.
While $ACB posts a Comprehensive Loss of $149M. #PotStocks https://t.co/hi2k0ZCZKX
— Betting Bruiser (@BettingBruiser) May 14, 2020
The two other major U.S. players — Curaleaf (CSE: CURA) and Trulieve (CSE: TRUL) — reported net revenues of US$75.5 million and US$79.7 million, respectively, in their most recent quarters. While Green Thumb has now upstaged its competition, both Curaleaf and Trulieve are set to report their first-quarter results next week to offer investors a fair comparison.
In Canada, pot giant Canopy Growth (TSX: WEED) recorded net revenues of $123.8 million in its latest quarter, or $88.1 million in United States dollars.
Ontario-based Aphria Inc. (TSX: APHA) reported net revenues of $144.4 million in its fiscal third-quarter, which basically matches Green Thumb based on today’s currency exchange rates (US$102.8 million).
However, Aphria’s net cannabis revenue was $55.6 million in Q3, as the majority of of its sales coming from its German pharmaceutical distribution subsidiary CC Pharma.
Read more: No, cannabis isn’t recession proof, analyst says
The beginning of a new era in Cannabis….. $GTII first out of the gate. https://t.co/h3kuCIUKYe
— DGF (@Pakalolowaiwai) May 14, 2020
And unlike most large Canadian pot companies, Green Thumb recorded positive cash flow over a three-month period.
The U.S. firm reported a positive adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization in Q1 of US$25.4 million, an 85 per cent increase from the last quarter. The improved adjusted EBITDA was mainly driven by revenue growth from both the consumer packaged goods and retail business segments, the company noted.
Green Thumb said it saw strong consumer demand at its 42 retail stores and entire operations across 12 states despite the COVID-19 pandemic beginning to set in during the final weeks of the first quarter.
“We achieved a major milestone by breaking [US]$100 million in quarterly revenue along with substantial EBITDA growth,” CEO Ben Kovler said in a statement. “These factors helped contribute to our positive free cash flow from operations. We believe that our operational strength and resilience, supported by a strong balance sheet, continue to differentiate and position us for long-term success, especially during these challenging times.”
The company reported a net loss of US$4.2 million in Q1, compared to a net loss of US$14.1 million in Q4.
GTI said its bottom line improved partly due to improved efficiencies, which helped lower total selling, general and administrative expenses to 44 per cent of first quarter revenue, compared to 62 per cent of revenue in the prior quarter.
Reported gross margin in Q1 came in at 52 per cent, according to the press release.
Green Thumb could more than double its 44 stores this year
Cannabis consumers line up outside Green Thumb Industries pot shop in Illinois on Jan. 1, the day the state legalized recreational weed. Press photo
During the quarter, Green Thumb opened three new stores under its Rise brand, including two in its home state of Illinois after recreational cannabis became legal there on Jan. 1.
The company noted that it now has 44 stores open across the U.S. and is licensed to open a total of 96 retail stores.
Green Thumb said it has increased e-commerce, customer service, delivery, and curbside pickup options to help serve patients and customers during the pandemic.
In terms of cash and cash equivalents, the company held US$71.5 million as of March 31.
Green Thumb completed two sale and leaseback transactions with Innovative Industrial Properties (NYSE: IIPR) in the quarter for a total of $57.2 million in capital raised.
While shares of the company were up over 6 per cent on Thursday, Green Thumb stock is still down 10 per cent overall in 2020.
But that’s still better than the overall cannabis sector, which is down almost 43 per cent since Jan. 2, according to the Global Cannabis Stock Index.
Top image of Green Thumb’s cannabis brand Dogwalkers is courtesy of the company
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