Yahoo Finance What You'll Want to Know About iAnthus Capital Holdings' Sizzling Q1 Sales Growth
There was good news and bad news the last time Ianthus Capital Holdings (NASDAQOTH: ITHUF) reported its 2018 fourth-quarter results in April. The company announced impressive year-over-year revenue growth but a much wider net loss.
Any questions that investors had about Ianthus' first quarter were answered when the company announced its Q1 results after the market closed on Thursday. Here's what you need to know from the company's quarterly update.
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By the numbers
The company reported Q1 revenue of $9.6 million, a huge 4,166.7% jump from the $225,000 reported in the prior-year period. This total also reflected a 384% quarter-over-quarter increase, and iAnthus easily topped the average analysts' Q1 revenue estimate of $2.78 million.
iAnthus posted a GAAP net loss in the first quarter of $18.3 million, or $0.15 per share. This was much worse than the $645,000, or $0.01 per share, reported in the prior-year period. It also missed the average analysts' estimate of a loss of $0.07 per share.
However, the company's adjusted EBITDA trended in a positive direction. iAnthus announced an adjusted EBITDA loss of $5.1 million in Q1. This reflected an improvement from the adjusted EBITDA loss of $6.5 million reported in the prior quarter.
iAnthus ended the first quarter with cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments of $42.3 million.
Behind the numbers
The company's strong revenue growth was due largely to a couple of factors. Greenfield projects coming on line throughout 2018 boosted revenue in Q1 compared to the prior-year period. In addition, iAnthus' acquisition of MPX in February made a big impact.
Why did iAnthus' GAAP loss widen while its revenue soared? Significantly higher spending. The company increased its head count with the MPX acquisition. It's also done a lot of internal hiring.
The adjusted EBITDA loss wasn't as bad, though. iAnthus backed out expenses related to the MPX acquisition, including advisory, professional, legal, consulting, and accounting fees, in the adjusted figure since they're not part of ongoing operational activities.
Other highlights for iAnthus' Q1 included expanding its wholesale distribution operations and hiring Neil Calvesbert as chief marketing officer. Calvesbert will focus on building the company's new national retail brand.
Looking ahead
One thing coming up that iAnthus is especially excited about is the planned opening of its first "Be." retail cannabis store in Brooklyn this fall. Other new stores will also be opened in Miami, Las Vegas, and Atlantic City. Over time, iAnthus plans to retrofit its existing stores to the "Be." branding concept.
Another big development is the company's closing of its acquisition of CBD for Life. This should boost iAnthus' sales significantly, as CBD for Life is available nationwide in the U.S. and a new premium product line and adult line will be launched this summer.
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Keith Speights has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
