Decibel Announces Year End and Fourth Quarter Results, 2025 Guidance
"We ended 2024 with strong momentum and renewed confidence in our global growth strategy. The removal of our going concern note is a direct reflection of the operational discipline and financial resilience we've built — including improved free cash flow, strategic reductions to payables, and our integration of AgMedica. While we anticipate a softer Q1 due to timing of international shipments, we expect a meaningful ramp-up in Q2 as export volumes accelerate. With these building blocks in place, we remain focused on profitable growth, both in
2025 Full Year Expectations
- Net Revenue of
$130 million driven by continued international growth. - Adjusted EBITDA1 of
$25 million with continued cost focus and automation. - Adjusted Free Cash Flow of
$20 million to continue strengthening balance sheet. - Debt to EBITDA ratio of <1.4x continuing progress in deleveraging.
- Increase export to 9 markets from presence in 7 currently.
_________________________________ |
AgMedica Transaction Highlights
- Financial contributions from
AgMedica Bioscience Inc. ("AgMedica") were for the periodOctober 28, 2024 toDecember 31, 2024 , and were immediately accretive to Decibel's results generating$3.4 million of net revenue, positive EBITDA2 and free cash flow. - With an EU-GMP certified facility and strong international demand, AgMedica is expected to contribute
$30 million of net revenue and$4 million of EBITDA in 2025. - The Company expects a modest first quarter in 2025 due to the timing of international shipments. It anticipates a significant ramp up in global sales beginning in Q2 2025 as contracted orders begin to ship and scale and therefore is reiterating its previously reported guidance (
October 28, 2024 ) relating to 2025 full year net revenue and Adjusted EBITDA expectations.
_________________________ |
Fourth Quarter Highlights
-
Net Revenue was
$25.3 million , a year over year increase of 0.4%. Net revenue growth in the quarter was primarily a result of a partial quarter of contributions from AgMedica, acquired onOctober 28, 2024 . Contributions from the acquisition were offset by a decrease in net Canadian recreational sales. -
Net Canadian Recreational Sales were
$21.9 million , a year over year decrease of 8%. The decrease in net Canadian recreational sales is primarily attributable to increased competition in vapes and infused pre-roll products. Subsequent to the quarter, the Company launched additional products and undertook a marketing campaign to combat declines in these segments and grow in other categories, including: a proudly Canadian campaign, reinvesting in growing the Qwest brand presence, launching ultra-high potency vapes and infused pre-rolls, new large format all-in-one disposable vapes, and milled flowers. -
International Sales were
$3.4 million , a year over year increase of 141%. The increase in international sales was primarily driven by a partial quarter of contributions from AgMedica. Total international sales contributed by AgMedica were$2.1 million . The Company has pursued additional contracts related to cannabis exports to international markets and anticipates contributions from these activities in the second quarter of 2025. -
Gross Margin Before Fair Value Adjustments was 49% in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 46% in the fourth quarter of 2023.
-
Adjusted EBITDA of
$5.2 million , with a year over year increase of 4%. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was primarily a result of improved gross margin and partial contributions from AgMedica. -
Free Cash Flow
3 of
$2.2 million , with a year over year increase of 18%. The increase in Free Cash Flow was attributable to improvements in gross margin and reductions in working capital investments, partially offset by decreases to accounts payable. During the quarter, the Company reduced its accounts payable by$1.8 million as a part of an ongoing effort to strengthen its financial position. -
Adjusted Net Income
4 of
$1.0 million , a year over year increase of$1.2 million .
________________________________ |
4 Adjusted Net income is a Non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Measures" for further details. |
Summary Highlights
|
|
Three months ended |
|
Year ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2024 |
2023 |
2024 |
2023 |
(thousands of Canadian dollars, except where noted) |
|
|
|
|
Gross Canadian recreational sales 1 |
|
|
|
|
Net Canadian recreational sales 1 |
|
|
|
|
International sales 1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
Gross revenue |
|
|
|
|
Net revenue |
|
|
|
|
Gross profit before fair value adjustments |
|
|
|
|
Gross margin before fair value adjustments |
49 % |
46 % |
48 % |
46 % |
Adjusted EBITDA 2 |
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) |
|
( |
|
( |
Adjusted net income (loss) 2 |
|
( |
|
|
Cash flow from continuing 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 audited condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and twelve month periods ending
About Decibel
Decibel is a consumer-focused cannabis company known for premium products that delight customers through innovation and quality. With brands like General Admission, Qwest, and Vox, Decibel's offerings are available across
Neither
Cautionary Statements
Non-GAAP Measures
This news release contains certain financial performance measures and ratios, namely EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income, Free Cash Flow, Adjusted EPS and Debt to EBITDA 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.
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.
|
|
Three months ended |
|
Year ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2024 |
2023 |
2024 |
2023 |
(thousands of Canadian dollars) |
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) |
13,260 |
(1,249) |
9,463 |
(1,770) |
Unrealized gain on changes in fair value of biological assets |
(1,685) |
(3,442) |
(10,792) |
(12,549) |
Change in fair value of biological assets realized through inventory sold |
5,480 |
4,501 |
17,570 |
22,321 |
Depreciation and amortization |
1,396 |
428 |
5,036 |
2,477 |
Share-based compensation |
(246) |
301 |
(877) |
1,365 |
Other (income) |
1,171 |
(118) |
1,305 |
(360) |
Finance costs |
648 |
714 |
2,902 |
2,781 |
Foreign exchange loss |
50 |
194 |
239 |
477 |
Non-cash cost of goods sold1 |
1,184 |
1,478 |
4,216 |
5,289 |
Other adjustments2 |
(16,057) |
2,195 |
(11,126) |
5,094 |
Adjusted EBITDA3 |
5,201 |
5,002 |
17,936 |
25,125 |
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.
|
|
Three months ended |
|
Year ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2024 |
2023 |
2024 |
2023 |
(thousands of Canadian dollars) |
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) |
13,260 |
(1,249) |
9,463 |
(1,770) |
Unrealized gain on changes in fair value of biological |
(1,685) |
(3,442) |
(10,792) |
(12,549) |
Change in fair value of biological assets realized through |
5,480 |
4,501 |
17,570 |
22,321 |
Gain on acquisition of |
(16,041) |
- |
(16,041) |
- |
Adjusted net income (loss)1 |
1,014 |
(190) |
200 |
8,002 |
Weighted average number of shares outstanding |
475,391,666 |
409,039,064 |
425,961,115 |
408,132,762 |
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.
|
|
Three months ended |
|
Year ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2024 |
2023 |
2024 |
2023 |
(thousands of Canadian dollars) |
|
|
|
|
Cash provided by continuing operating activities |
2,390 |
2,294 |
2,319 |
8,188 |
Cash used in investing activities |
1,941 |
(406) |
1,187 |
(2,136) |
Proceeds from the sale of Prairie Records Retail assets |
(2,110) |
- |
(2,110) |
- |
Free cash flow1 |
2,221 |
1,888 |
1,396 |
6,052 |
Management considers Debt to EBITDA an important measure as it is a key metric to identify the Company's ability to fund financing expenses, net debt reductions and other obligations. Debt to EBITDA is calculated as Debt divided by EBITDA.
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; the Company's marketing efforts and brand expansion, and the expected benefits therefrom; the Company's pursuit of additional contracts related to cannabis exports to international markets, the anticipated contributions from these activities, and the timing thereof; the Company's expectation of increasing sales internationally; 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 and FOFI (as defined herein) 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
With respect to forward-looking statements and FOFI contained in this news release, Decibel has made assumptions regarding, but not limited to: growth of the brand and recognition in
PRELIMINARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Any financial outlook or future oriented financial information (in each case "
FOFI
") contained in this news release regarding the Company's prospective financial position, including, but not limited to net revenue, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted Free Cash Flow and debt to EBITDA projections relating to the full year 2025 guidance in this news release, is based on reasonable assumptions about future events, including those described above, based on an assessment by management
The Company's expectations for its Q1, 2025 and full year 2025 financial results, including, but not limited to, net revenue, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted Free Cash Flow and debt to EBITDA projections, assumes, among other things: (i) relative stability in interest rates; (ii) limited impacts to our operations and business in
The Company's anticipated financial results are unaudited and preliminary estimates that: (i) represent the most current information available to management as of the date of this news release; (ii) are subject to completion review and audit procedures that could result in significant changes to the estimated amounts; and (iii) do not present all information necessary for an understanding of the Company's financial condition as of, and the Company's results of operations for, such periods. The anticipated financial results are subject to the same limitations and risks as discussed under "Forward-Looking Statements" above. Accordingly, the Company's anticipated financial results for such periods may change upon the completion and approval and audit of the financial statements for such periods and the changes could be material.
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.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/decibel-announces-year-end-and-fourth-quarter-results-2025-guidance-302434146.html
SOURCE