CWB

Press Release Details

Charlotte's Web Holdings Reports Q3-2020 Results

November 12, 2020

A return to organic quarterly growth

BOULDER, Colo., Nov. 12, 2020 /CNW/ - (TSX: CWEB) (OTCQX: CWBHF), Charlotte's Web Holdings, Inc. ("Charlotte's Web" or the "Company") the market share leader in full spectrum cannabidiol (CBD) hemp extract wellness products, today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020. All amounts are expressed in United States' dollars unless otherwise noted. Certain metrics, including those expressed on an adjusted basis, are non-IFRS measures.

Q3-2020 Financial Highlights                                                                        

  • Consolidated revenue increased 0.4% to $25.2 million vs. Q3-2019 and increased 17% vs. Q2-2020, marking a return to consecutive quarter growth
  • Direct-to-Consumer ("DTC") eCommerce sales increased 27.5% year-over-year and contributed 66.3% of Q3 revenue
  • Gross profit of $15.2 million, or 60.3% of consolidated revenue (prior to biological asset adjustments)
  • Adjusted EBITDA loss of $6.7 million
  • $65.9 million cash and $128.6 million working capital on September 30, 2020

Business Highlights

  • Increased revenue vs prior quarter for both DTC +8% and B2B +39%
  • B2B quarter on quarter growth led by natural retail +20% and healthcare practitioner (HCP) +101% channels following portfolio repricing and expanded product offering
  • Increased doors by ~ 1000 for 22,000 total unique retail doors carrying our portfolio of brands including Charlotte's Web™, CBD Medic, CBD Clinic, and Harmony Hemp
  • Completed 100-day integration of Abacus Health Products acquisition contributing revenue of approximately $2.5 million to Q3-2020
  • Completed $11.5M phase 2 investment in new 137,000 sq ft facility to build out production. Phase 3 extraction and R&D expansion planned to be in operational by the end of Q1 2021 ahead of anticipated growth
  • Launched CBD liver health study with ValidCare, progressing for publication early 2021
  • Advanced regulatory definition at the federal and state levels including acceptance of federal bill H.R. 8179 to legislate hemp derivative products as dietary supplements
  • Achieved official B Corp certification on August 28 indicating excellence in ESG. Charlotte's Web is the world's largest and only publicly-traded CBD B Corp
  • Strengthened the Company's board with the additions of Jean Birch and Susan Vogt as new directors. John Held appointed Chairman of the Board

"The strength of our leading ecommerce sales continued to offset slower B2B retail sales during the pandemic," said Deanie Elsner, CEO of Charlotte's Web. "Within our B2B business, we are seeing signs of improvement with a return to consecutive quarterly revenue growth of +36%, led by the natural channel +20%, and the health care practitioner channel +101% quarter-over-quarter.  In addition, we continued to expand our footprint in terms of distribution in Q3 by adding nearly 1000 new doors to our retail footprint, including natural retailers, nearly 300 independent pet stores and approximately 500 new F/D/M retail doors."

Q3-2020 Financial Review
The following table sets forth selected financial information for the periods indicated.



Three months ended


Nine months ended



September 30,


September 30,

U.S. $ millions, except per share data


2020


2019


2020


2019










Revenue


$

25.2


$

25.1


$

68.3


$

71.8

Gross profit before biological assets adjustment


15.2


17.9


41.7


52.2

Net impact, fair value of biological assets


0.5



0.4


(0.5)

Gross profit


14.7


17.9


41.3


52.7

Operating expenses


28.3


19.6


81.1


49.1

Change in fair value of warrants and other (income) expense, net


(7.1)


(0.1)


(13.7)


(0.7)

(Loss) income before taxes


(6.5)


(1.6)


(26.1)


4.3

Net (loss) income


$

(6.6)


$

(1.3)


$

(32.5)


$

3.2

EPS basic


$

(0.05)


$

(0.01)


$

(0.27)


$

0.03

EPS diluted


$

(0.05)


$

(0.01)


$

(0.27)


$

0.03

Adjusted EBITDA¹


$

(6.7)


$

0.8


$

(18.1)


$

8.8



















Assets:


September 30, 2020


June 30, 2020


March 31, 2020


December 31, 2019

Cash and cash equivalents


$

65.9


$

99.8


$

53.0


$

68.6

Total assets


$

330.5


$

357.6


$

190.2


$

222.9

Liabilities:









Long-term liabilities


$

28.7


$

40.8


$

32.9


$

39.8

Total liabilities


$

64.0


$

86.7


$

62.5


$

69.2

The following information sets forth selected quarterly revenue information for the Company's recent fiscal quarters.

U.S. $ millions

Q3

Q2

Q1

Q4

Q3

Q2

Q1

Q4


2020

2020

2020

2019

2019

2019

2019

2018

Revenue

$

25.2


$

21.6


$

21.5


$

22.8


$

25.1


$

25.0


$

21.7


$

21.5



Consolidated third quarter revenue increased to $25.2 million, as compared to $25.1 million in 2019. Lower B2B sales were offset by strong DTC sales as B2B sales were 29.2% lower year-over-year, accounting for 33.7% of total revenue in the quarter. DTC net sales grew by 27.5% year-over-year as online traffic and high conversion rates increased through ongoing marketing and social media programs. Year-over-year new consumer acquisitions increased 52% and conversion rates increased 98%. DTC net revenue accounted for 66.3% of total revenue in the third quarter compared to 52.2% for the same period in the prior year.



Three months ended

Year-over-year


Nine months ended


Year-over-year



September 30,

% Increase
(Decrease)


September 30,


% Increase
(Decrease)



2020


2019


 

2020


 

2019















Revenue - U.S. $ millions


$

25.2


25.1


0.4

%


$

68.3


$

71.8


(4.9)

%














Direct-to-consumer ("DTC")


$

16.7


$

13.1


27.5

%1


$

46.3


$

35.6


30.1

% 1

Business-to-business ("B2B")


$

8.5


$

12.0


(29.2)

%1


$

22.0


$

36.2


(39.2)

% 1



1

Percentages for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 were recategorized to conform with 2020 categorization.

Gross margin (prior to biological asset adjustments) was 60.3%, compared to 71.3% last year.

Operating expenses were $28.3 million, a 44.4% year-over-year increase from $19.6 million. The increase reflects the Company's investments in capacity expansion and transition to a consumer-packaged goods ("CPG") operating company capable of supporting mass retail channel growth.

Lower than expected revenue due to the pandemic has resulted in an increase in operating expenses as a percent of revenue. In response, management has taken actions to better align operating expenses and initiated an expense optimization program targeting reductions of more than 10% of the consolidated expense run rate by the end of 2020.

Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was negative $6.7 million, or (26.6)% of consolidated revenue, compared to positive EBITDA of $0.8 million, or 3.2% of revenue, for the third quarter of 2019. The Adjusted EBITDA ratio during the third quarter reflects the substantial personnel, R&D  and infrastructure investments made to support expected future revenue growth from the F/D/M channel, contrasted with lower sales due to the COVID -19 impact on both bricks & mortar retail traffic and closed health practitioners.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
The Company used $21.5 million of cash in operations during the third quarter of 2020 compared to $9.6 million of cash used in operations during the third quarter of 2019, primarily due to the increase in changes in working capital. The Company's cash and working capital at September 30, 2020 were $65.9 million and $128.6 million, respectively, compared to $68.6 million and $116.9 million at December 31, 2019.


Three months ended






September 30






2020


2019


$ Change


% Change

Cash beginning of period

$

99.8


$

51.4


$

48.4


94.2

%

Cash flows from (used in):








Operating activities

(21.5)


(9.6)


(11.9)


124.0

%

Investing activities

(11.1)


(6.7)


(4.4)


65.7

%

Financing activities

(1.3)


(0.1)


(1.2)


1,200.0

%

Cash, end of period

$

65.9


$

35.0


$

30.9


88.3

%

Consolidated Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis
The Company's unaudited financial statements and accompanying notes for the periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 and related management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations ("MD&A") are available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at https://investors.charlottesweb.com.

Conference Call
Management will host a conference call to discuss the Company's third quarter 2020 results at 8:30a.m. ET on Thursday, November 12, 2020. To participate in the call, please dial 1-647-427-7450 or 1-888-231-8191 approximately 10 minutes before the conference call and provide conference ID 2387838. A recording of the call will be available through November 19, 2020. To listen to the rebroadcast please dial 1-416-849-0833 and provide the same conference ID.

A webcast of the call can be accessed through the investor relations section of the Charlotte's Web website.

About Charlotte's Web Holdings, Inc.

Charlotte's Web Holdings, Inc., a Certified B Corporation headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, is the market leader in the production and distribution of innovative hemp-derived cannabidiol ("CBD") wellness products under a family of brands which includes Charlotte's Web™, CBD Medic™, CBD Clinic™, and Harmony Hemp. The Company's premium quality products start with proprietary hemp genetics that are 100-percent American farm grown and manufactured into whole-plant hemp extracts containing a full spectrum of naturally occurring phytocannabinoids including CBD, CBC, CBG, terpenes, flavonoids and other beneficial hemp compounds.  Charlotte's Web product categories include  CBD oil tinctures (liquid products), CBD gummies (sleep, stress, inflammation recovery), CBD capsules,CBD topical creams and lotions, as well asCBD pet products for dogs. Charlotte's Web is the number one CBD brand in the USA and distributed through more than 22,000 retail locations, select distributors and online through the Company's website at www.CharlottesWeb.com

Charlotte's Web was founded by the Stanley Brothers with a mission to unleash the healing powers of botanicals through compassion and science, benefiting the planet and all who live upon it.  Charlotte's Web is a socially and environmentally conscious company and is committed to using business as a force for good and a catalyst for innovation. The Company weighs sound business decisions with consideration for how its efforts affect employees, customers, the environment, and diverse communities. The rate the Company pays for agricultural products reflects a fair and sustainable rate driving higher quality yield, encouraging regenerative farming practices, and supporting U.S. farming communities. Management believes that its socially oriented and environmentally responsible actions have a positive impact on its customers, suppliers, employees and stakeholders. Charlotte's Web donates a portion of its pre-tax earnings to charitable organizations.

Shares of Charlotte's Web trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol "CWEB" and are quoted in U.S. Dollars in the United States on the OTCQX under the symbol "CWBHF". As of November 9, 2020 Charlotte's Web had 104,789,199 Common Shares outstanding and 85,738.44 Proportional Voting Shares convertible at 400:1 into Common Shares, for an effective equivalent of 139,084,575 Common Shares outstanding.

1

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Adjusted EBITDA) is not a recognized performance measure under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). Adjusted EBITDA does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to ‎similar measures presented by other issuers. ‎ Adjusted EBITDA does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issues. The term EBITDA consists of net (loss) income and excludes interest ("financing costs"), taxes, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA also excludes share-based compensation, impairment of assets, acquisition costs, legal settlement costs, restructuring charges, and adjustments for fair value of biological assets, warrant liabilities, and stock appreciation rights. Adjusted EBITDA is included as a supplemental disclosure because Management believes that such measurement provides a better assessment of the Company's operations on a continuing basis by eliminating certain non-cash charges and charges or gains that are nonrecurring. The most directly comparable measure to Adjusted EBITDA calculated in accordance with IFRS is net (loss) income. See "Adjusted EBITDA" in the MD&A for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net (loss) income. 

 



Three months ended


Nine months ended



September 30,


September 30,

U.S. $ millions


2020


2019


2020


2019

Net (loss) income


$

(6.6)



$

(1.3)



$

(32.5)



$

3.2


Depreciation of property and equipment


2.8



1.1



6.7



2.5


Financing costs


0.4



0.1



0.9



0.2


Interest income




(0.2)



(0.1)



(0.8)


Income taxes




(0.3)



6.3



1.1


EBITDA


$

(3.4)



$

(0.6)



$

(18.7)



$

6.2


Mark-to-market fair value of warrants and
stock appreciation rights


(6.5)





(13.4)




Fair value changes of biological assets, net


0.5





0.4



(0.5)


Share-based compensation


2.0



0.7



4.3



1.3


Impairment of assets


(0.3)



0.6



2.2



1.5


Acquisition costs


0.3





3.8




Legal settlement






2.1




Restructuring charges


0.7



0.1



1.2



0.3


Adjusted EBITDA1


$

(6.7)



$

0.8



$

(18.1)



$

8.8




1

Adjusted EBITDA presented in prior periods has been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation to include Interest income as a reduction of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA.  

Forward-Looking Information
Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking information"). In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "targets", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "an opportunity exists", "is positioned", "estimates", "intends", "assumes", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Examples of forward-looking information include, among others, statements the Company makes regarding guidance relating to fiscal 2020 revenue and adjusted EBITDA; the impact of the acquisition of Abacus on the Company's business and financial condition; customer acceptance of the Company's products; expansion of the Company's products; anticipated product category growth; retail expansion; online sales growth; and the Company's anticipated growth.

Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent management's expectations, estimates and projections regarding the future of our business,   future plans, strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions.

Forward-looking information is necessarily based on a number of opinions, assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date of this news release, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Material assumptions used to develop the forward-looking statements herein include, but ‎are not limited to, the following: (i) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (ii) the regulatory climate in ‎which the Company operates; (iii) the continued sales success of the Company's products; (iv) the ‎continued success of sales and marketing activities; (v) the Company's ability to complete the conversion ‎or buildout of its facilities on time and on budget; (vi) there will be no significant delays in the development ‎and commercialization of the Company's products; (vii) the Company will continue to maintain sufficient ‎and effective production and research and development capabilities to compete on the attributes and cost ‎of its products; (viii) the Company's ability to deal with adverse growing conditions (due to pests, disease, ‎fungus, climate or other factors) in a timely and cost-effective manner; (ix) there will be no significant ‎reduction in the availability of qualified and cost-effective human resources; * new products will continue ‎to be added to the Company's portfolio; (xi) demand for hemp-based wellness products will continue to ‎grow in the foreseeable future; (xii) there will be no significant barriers to the acceptance of the ‎Company's products in the market; (xiii) the Company will be able to maintain compliance with applicable ‎contractual and regulatory obligations and requirements; (xiv) there will be adequate liquidity available to ‎the Company to carry out its operations; and (xv) products do not develop that would render the ‎Company's current and future product offerings undesirable and the Company is otherwise able to ‎minimize the impact of competition and keep pace with changing consumer preferences; and (xvi) the ‎Company will be able to successfully manage and integrate acquisitions.‎

The Company's actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking information. Therefore, you should not rely on any of the forward-looking information contained in this news release. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking information include, among others, the following : the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to the Company's operations, supply chain, distribution chain, ‎and to the broader market for and customers of the Company's products; revenue fluctuations; the impact of global conditions and unemployment rates on the Company's stakeholders; nature of government regulations (both ‎domestic and foreign); general economic and financial conditions; loss of key customers or suppliers; retention and availability of executive ‎talent; competing products; common share price volatility; loss of proprietary information; product ‎acceptance; internet and system infrastructure functionality; information technology security; cash ‎available to fund operations; crop risk; availability of capital; international and political considerations; completion of the acquisition of Abacus; the successful integration of acquired businesses; changes in customer demand; and the risk factors described in greater detail in the Company's annual information form dated March 27, 2020, management's discussion and analysis filed in respect to the interim period ending September 30, 2020, and other public documents of the Company available at www.sedar.com . These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect the Company and the forward-looking information; however, these factors should be considered carefully. There can be no assurance that such expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions will prove to be correct, and the forward-looking information contained in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements containing any forward-looking information, or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

CHARLOTTE'S WEB HOLDINGS, INC.

UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

(In thousands of United States dollars)






September 30, 2020


December 31, 2019

ASSETS




Current assets:




Cash

$

65,891



$

68,553


Trade and other receivables, net

6,523



5,462


Note receivable

1,902



1,421


Inventories

64,715



64,054


Prepaid expenses and other current assets

13,461



3,592


Income taxes receivable

11,397



3,273



163,889



146,355


Non-current assets:




Property and equipment, net

58,159



42,949


Intangible assets, net

25,816



1,596


Goodwill

77,454




Deferred tax assets

12



30,417


Other long-term assets

5,130



1,625



$

330,460



$

222,942






LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY




Current liabilities:




Accounts payable

$

5,301



$

8,798


Accrued liabilities

13,762



7,323


Deferred revenue

388



550


Current cultivation liabilities

12,654



10,803


Current notes payable

881



9


Current lease obligations

2,304



1,945



35,290



29,428


Non-current liabilities:




Long-term cultivation liabilities

5,024



14,289


Long-term notes payable

228



3


Long-term lease obligations

20,939



22,116


Warrant liabilities

2,389



3,408


Stock appreciation rights liabilities

127





63,997



69,244


Shareholders' equity:




Share capital

277,388



123,927


Contributed surplus

19,285



27,513


(Accumulated deficit) Retained earnings

(30,210)



2,258



266,463



153,698







$

330,460



$

222,942



CHARLOTTE'S WEB HOLDINGS, INC.




UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF (LOSS) INCOME AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE
(LOSS) INCOME





(In thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts)









Three months ended September 30,


Nine months ended September 30,


2020


2019


2020


2019









Revenue

$

25,156


$

25,045


$

68,299


$

71,765

Cost of sales

9,898


7,181


26,573


19,612

Gross profit before (gain) loss on fair value of biological assets

15,258


17,864


41,726


52,153

Realized fair value (gain) included in inventory sold


(65)


(86)


(561)

Unrealized fair value loss on growth of biological assets

501


48


501


48

Gross profit

14,757


17,881


41,311


52,666









Expenses:








General and administrative

17,816


13,064


54,955


30,585

Sales and marketing

8,512


6,281


21,879


17,368

Research and development

1,984


255


4,283


1,099

Operating expenses

28,312


19,600


81,117


49,052

Operating (loss) income

(13,555)


(1,719)


(39,806)


3,614

Financing costs

369


107


903


241

Interest income

(24)


(187)


(179)


(853)

Change in fair value of warrants and other  (income) expense, net

(7,379)


(66)


(14,387)


(60)

(Loss) income before taxes

(6,521)


(1,573)


(26,143)


4,286

Income tax expense (benefit)

18


(259)


6,325


1,075

Net (loss) income and comprehensive (loss) income

$

(6,539)


$

(1,314)


$

(32,468)


$

3,211









Weighted average number of common shares - basic

138,866,673


97,486,347


120,238,141


95,244,686

Weighted average number of common shares - diluted

138,866,673


106,124,170


120,238,141


106,206,202









(Loss) earnings per share - basic

$

(0.05)


$

(0.01)


$

(0.27)


$

0.03

(Loss) earnings per share - diluted

$

(0.05)


$

(0.01)


$

(0.27)


$

0.03



CHARLOTTE'S WEB HOLDINGS, INC.





UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

(In thousands of United States dollars)















Nine months ended September 30, 2019

Share capital

Contributed
surplus

Retained
earnings

Total

Balance - December 31, 2018

$

78,316

$

25,357

$

17,825

$

121,498

Exercise of common stock options

963

(268)

695

Exercise of broker stock warrants

1,328

(842)

486

Accumulated effect of income tax from stock options

1,902

1,902

Share-based compensation expense

1,309

1,309

Net income

3,211

3,211

Balance - September 30, 2019

$

80,607

$

27,458

$

21,036

$

129,101






Nine months ended September 30, 2020

Share capital

Contributed
surplus

Accumulated deficit

Total

Balance - December 31, 2019

$

123,927

$

27,513

$

2,258

$

153,698

Exercise of common stock options

2,140

(599)

1,541

Withholding of common stock upon vesting of restricted share awards

1,269

(1,285)

(16)

Accumulated effect of income tax from stock options

(16,087)

(16,087)

Share-based compensation expense

4,336

4,336

2020 Share Offering

47,959

47,959

Share issuance costs

(3,368)

(3,368)

Abacus acquisition

105,461

5,407

110,868

Net loss

(32,468)

(32,468)

Balance - September 30, 2020

$

277,388

$

19,285

$

(30,210)

$

266,463



CHARLOTTE'S WEB HOLDINGS, INC.

UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands of United States dollars)


Nine months ended September 30,


2020

2019

Cash flows from operating activities:



Net (loss) income

$

(32,468)

$

3,211

Items not involving cash:



Depreciation and amortization

6,729

2,516

Change in fair value of biological assets

415

(513)

Change in fair value of warrant liabilities

(13,082)

Change in fair value of stock appreciation rights

(275)

Expected credit losses

716

212

Inventory provision, net

2,216

1,536

Share-based compensation

4,336

1,309

Loss on disposal of assets

2

8

Deferred income taxes

14,340

(3,619)




Changes in working capital:



Trade and other receivables, net

2,145

(1,999)

Inventories

2,672

(33,451)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

(10,286)

(11,420)

Accounts payable

(8,286)

696

Accrued liabilities

2,143

8,560

Income taxes

(8,089)

3,011

Cultivation liabilities

(7,477)

5,209

Other operating assets and liabilities, net

701

(57)


(43,548)

(24,791)

Cash flows from investing activities:



Cash acquired in business combinations

11,181

Funding of notes receivable

(1,400)

(1,400)

Collections on note receivable

960

Purchases of property and equipment and intangible assets

(22,340)

(10,806)

Proceeds from sale of assets

46

53

Proceeds from loans due from related parties

21

Other investing activities

(309)

(732)


(11,862)

(12,864)




Cash flows from financing activities:



Proceeds from public offering

57,165

Proceeds from common stock option exercises

1,541

695

Withholding of common stock upon vesting of restricted share awards

(16)

Proceeds from stock warrant exercises

486

Payments on notes payable

(473)

(7)

Payments on lease obligations

(2,101)

(1,943)

Share issuance costs

(3,368)


52,748

(769)







(Decrease) increase in cash

(2,662)

(38,424)

Cash, beginning of year

68,553

73,404

Cash, end of period

$

65,891

$

34,980




Supplemental disclosures of cash flows from operating activities:



Cash paid for interest

$

(62)

$

(39)

Cash paid for interest on lease obligations

(841)

(202)

Cash received from interest

179

853

Cash paid for taxes

(56)

(23)

Non-cash purchases of property and equipment and intangible assets

(2,359)

 

SOURCE Charlotte's Web Holdings, Inc.