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friends,
I warned about it here four weeks ago Curaleaf is overrated compared to his peers. Shares had closed at $2.44 and immediately more than doubled two weeks later to a high of $5.05 in 12/18 trading, after closing at $4.70 the day before. On December 12, President Trump’s move to issue an Executive Order to regulate hemp fueled this wild price increase.
Although the conclusion of the 12/4 newsletter was very wrong at first, it turned out as I expected in less than a month. Curaleaf garnered just 3.3%, while the other four major MSOs garnered 25.2% to 50.8%. MSOS, which has a lot of Curaleaf in it, scored 27.9%.
Of course, Curaleaf stock has had a fantastic year, up 61.5% in 2025. Since 11/05/24 (election), it’s down 19.2%, the smallest decline of the five largest MSOs. Looking at the action since 4/30/24, the peak of the cannabis sector and the day the DEA said it was moving forward with the reclassification process, it took out the second of the five largest MSOs. Compared to its two peers, which join CURLF and represent 67.8% of MSOS, it fared the worst and performed slightly worse than MSOS’ decline of 58.1%.
Curaleaf has a worse balance sheet than its peers, and the company was unable to refinance its 2026 debt. At the end of the third quarter, Curaleaf had $456.8 million due on 12/15/26, and suggested on the Q2 conference call in August that it would refinance by the end of the year.
I would like to provide an update on our upcoming debt refinancing. Over the past few months, we have partnered with a wide range of investors, including public and private credit funds, as well as regional banks. Initial feedback has been very encouraging, with strong indicative interest and constructive dialogue.
Boris Jordan, President and CEO of Curaleaf
We remain focused on securing the most favorable outcome for Curaleaf consistent with our long-term capital strategy. We are on track to complete the refinancing by the end of the year and are confident that it will increase our financial flexibility and support our growth priorities.
Curaleaf announced a new debt deal in October, increasing its revolving credit facility with Needham Bank by $60 million to $100 million. Its third-quarter SEDAR filings showed cash of $107.5 million and total borrowings of $551 million. The uncertain tax position of 510.7 million dollars is not included in the loans. Taking all its assets and liabilities into account, Curaleaf reported equity of $814.8 million, but intangible assets of $1.03 billion and goodwill of $634.0 million. Taking these into account equity, Curaleaf had tangible equity of -$853.6 million. It’s unclear why Curaleaf hasn’t announced a 2026 extension of this large debt, but perhaps lenders were concerned about the balance sheet. Of course, it may have been refinanced, but it has not been announced yet. Also, maybe the company is waiting because the realignment, if it goes through, will do away with 280E taxation. Investors, however, should be prepared for a decline in the current ratio. At the end of Q3, Curaleaf had current assets of 1.5X current liabilities, but the ratio will be well below 1X in Q4. This may alarm investors.
As I said, maybe they have dealt with the issue of debt and haven’t announced it yet, or maybe they will soon. If the reshuffle doesn’t go through, this could be a big challenge for Curaleaf. Its peers have done a decent job of extending their debt maturities. If Curaleaf cannot find a lender, it may sell shares to raise funds. The company reported 772.2 million shares outstanding in early November, and I estimate 803.1 million shares outstanding on a fully diluted cash basis. If they sold 200 million shares at $2.52, that would pay off the debt and leave the balance sheet in much better shape. The stock is well off its all-time low of $0.68 set earlier this year, and it looks very expensive relative to its peers, currently trading at an enterprise value of 8X forecast 2026 adjusted EBITDA.
I hope the 280E taxation goes away, and this would be great for Curaleaf if it does, but investors should be aware of the potential risks of the stock. Investors looking to buy an MSO have better options than Curaleaf, which is quite risky.
Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
Alan:
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Based in Houston, Alan leverages his experience as an online community founder 420 Investorthe first and still the largest due diligence platform focused on publicly traded stocks in the cannabis industry. With his extensive network in the cannabis community, Alan continues to find new ways to connect the industry and facilitate its sustainable growth. time New Cannabis Ventureshe is responsible for content development and strategic alliances. Before turning his attention to the cannabis industry in early 2013, Alan, who began his career on Wall Street in 1986, worked as an independent research analyst with more than two decades of research and portfolio management experience. A prolific writer, with over 650 articles published since 2007 Looking for Alphawhere he has 70,000 followers, Alan is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and frequent source Media including the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, Fox Business and Bloomberg TV. Contact Alan. Twitter: |: Facebook |: LinkedIn: |: El
Verano Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results
The company delivered sequential revenue and margin improvement within guidance in the fourth quarter; closes 2025 with the top three market share positions1 in all competing categories
The newly announced $195 million credit facility demonstrates the Company’s ability to access lower cost capital and secure some of the industry’s most favorable terms, including maturity and prepayment flexibility and an initial interest rate of 9.5% per annum.
CHICAGO, March 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Verano Holdings Corp. (Cboe CA: VRNO) (OTCQX: VRNO) (“Verano” or the “Company”), a leading multinational cannabis company, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025, prepared in accordance with US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“US GAAP”).
Financial highlights for the fourth quarter and full year of 2025
New Cannabis Ventures’ NCV Newswire aims to gather high-quality content and information about leading cannabis companies to help our readers filter through the noise and stay on top of the most important cannabis business news. The NCV Newswire is edited by an editor and is not, however, automated. Got a secret news tip? Get in touch.
AWH Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Results
Q4 2025 and Q4 2025 revenue were $120.5 million and $500.6 million
Expanded adjusted EBITDA margin1 to 25.1% in 2025. in the fourth quarter and 23.4% in 2025. for the financial year.
Maintained strong liquidity with $85.7 million in cash and no significant short-term debt
The retail footprint grows to 48 locations as consolidation continues
NEW YORK, March 12, 2026. /PRNewswire/ – Ascend Wellness Holdings, Inc. (“AWH”, “Ascend” or the “Company”) (CSE: AAWH-U.CN) (OTCQX: AAWH), a multinational, vertically integrated cannabis operator, today reported its financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2025. Financial results are presented in US dollars in all currencies and under GAAP.
Q4 & FY 2025 Business Highlights
Implemented a consolidation strategy throughout 2025, opening eight new dispensaries, expanding market presence and expanding retail footprint to 48 locations to date, including partner-owned and operated locations.
Ascend opened its first social capital partner store in Little Falls, New Jersey with Mister Jones, LLC in Q4 2025. The company has also been approved by the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission for a second Social Capital partner store, which will be located in Eatontown, New Jersey and is expected to begin operations in April 2026.
During the first quarter of 2026 (“Q1 2026”), AWH opened its sixth store in Ohio and an additional partner owned and operated in Illinois. In addition, the Company closed an unsuccessful store in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The retail development pipeline includes 12 new sites, bringing the total number of Company-owned and partner-owned and -operated dispensaries to 60, pending regulatory approvals.
Developed and launched a record 566 SKUs in fiscal year 2025, including 146 in Q4 2025, exceeding the initial goal of 550 SKUs for the year, including;
Debut of two new brands: High Wired infused flower and Honor Roll high quality prenglers made with 100% flower.
Expanding formats, flavors and formulations across nearly all product lines, including Effin’ effects-based gummies and vapors, High Wired sugar caps and Simply Herb single-use vapors, with multiple new launches ranked among AWH’s best-selling SKUs for Q4 2025.
Ultra Limited Ozone King Edition of Ozone Liquid Diamonds and Queen Cola.
Quarter after quarter, in Q1 2026, AWH unveiled an extensive brand and quality transformation of its flagship lifestyle brand Ozone, featuring an updated visual identity, elevated product standards, innovative packaging and enhanced consumer engagement. The relaunch has begun in Illinois, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, with other major markets to follow in the coming quarters. The evolution of Ozone will see the launch of a number of new products, including the brand’s first full-spectrum gum, as well as new macrodose gum and additional flower and vapor offerings.
Retained a position among the top three brand houses by both sales and units in Illinois, Massachusetts and New Jersey3 combined through fiscal year 2025, reinforcing market leadership with an expanded portfolio of products and brands. Delivering a fully integrated e-commerce ecosystem that combines a redesigned shopping platform and app with AI-driven personalization, Ascend Pay payment functionality and an enhanced loyalty program, marking a major milestone in AWH’s customer-first strategy.
Sales through Ascend Pay increased 49.4% from the third quarter of 2025 (“Q3 2025”) to the fourth quarter of 2025, driven by a 51.5% increase in transactions and a 57.8% increase in units sold at retail locations owned and operated by Ascend and partners.
In the fourth quarter of 2025, total membership of the Ascenders Club loyalty program increased by 56%, and active members increased by 23.7% sequentially. Loyalty members accounted for 88% of retail transactions, up 16% at Ascend retail locations.
Strengthened capital structure by fully repaying the Company’s $60.0 million term loan through a $50.0 million private placement of 12.75% Senior Secured Notes4 due 2029 and $10.0 million in cash, completing its broader refinancing initiative in three quarters and with $9 million in secured assets in the 2025 quarter. competitive 8.5% interest rate maturing in September 2030 to support disciplined growth and retail expansion.
A common course issuer bid (“NCIB”) share buyback program (“Buyback Program”) has been successfully completed.
The Company has repurchased and retired approximately 15.8 million shares at an average price of $0.32 per share5 beginning in the fourth quarter of 2024, when the Purchase Program was initiated.
New Cannabis Ventures’ NCV Newswire aims to gather high-quality content and information about leading cannabis companies to help our readers filter through the noise and stay on top of the most important cannabis business news. The NCV Newswire is edited by an editor and is not, however, automated. Got a secret news tip? Get in touch.
Cresco Labs Delivers Q3 2025 Revenue of $162M and Sequential Margin Improvement
CHICAGO – (BUSINESS WIRE) – Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) (FSE: 6CQ) (“Cresco Labs” or the “Company”), an industry leader in branded cannabis products with a portfolio of America’s most popular brands and operator of Sunnyside dispensaries, today announced its financial and operating results for the 2nd quarter ended December 31 and year-end. In accordance with U.S. GAAP and in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted, and is available on the Company’s investor website here.
Highlights of FY2025
Revenue: $656 million. Operating cash flow of $73 million and free cash flow¹ of $38 million.
Gross profit: $325 million. Adjusted gross profit¹ $329 million; and an adjusted gross margin of 50.2%¹.
SG&A $218 million. Adjusted SG&A¹ decreased 5.7% year-over-year to $200 million, or 30.4%.
A net loss of $140 million, which included one-time, non-cash charges of $105 million related to the Company’s intangible assets and goodwill impairment related to the impairment of the New York reporting unit and fair value adjustments to the California reporting unit related to the sale of Sonoma’s Finest.
Adjusted EBITDA¹ of $157 million and Adjusted EBITDA margin¹ of 24.0%.
It maintained the #1 equity position in multi-billion dollar markets throughout the year.²
$83 million gross profit. Adjusted gross profit¹ $84 million; and adjusted gross margin¹ of 52.2%.
SG&A of $57 million or 35.3% of revenue.
A net loss of $89 million, which included a one-time, non-cash charge of $93 million related to the write-off of the New York reporting unit.
Fourth quarter adjusted EBITDA¹ of $40 million and adjusted EBITDA margin¹ of 25.0%.
Maintained #1 stock position in multi-billion dollar markets
Management Commentary
“In the fourth quarter, we strengthened our financial foundation, expanding margins and generating significant cash flow. We delivered $162 million in revenue, $40 million in adjusted EBITDA and $27 million in operating cash flow, with consistent improvements in multiple profitability metrics. Our focused strategy continues to enhance our competitive position.”
“The cannabis industry is consolidating in real time, and Cresco Labs is operating from a strong position. we continue to show that we win where we operate. We are intentionally building an efficient money-generating platform by balancing organic expansion with selective, active acquisitions while maintaining a strong balance sheet. With leading brand name brand stock, distinctive retail stock. it is positioned to capitalize on industry consolidation and federal reform to create long-term shareholder value.”
¹See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” at the end of this press release for additional information on the Company’s use of non-GAAP financial measures. ²According to Hoodie Analytics.
Balance sheet, liquidity and other financial information
As of December 31, 2025, current assets were $259 million, including cash, cash equivalents and $91 million of restricted cash. An additional $3 million of restricted cash was classified as a non-current asset. The Company had $311 million of secured term loan debt net of discount and issuance costs and $19 million of mortgage loan debt net of discount and issuance costs. Total shares outstanding on a fully converted basis were 491,585,556 subordinate voting shares as of December 31, 2025.
Conference call and webcast
The Company will hold a conference call and webcast to discuss its financial results on Thursday, March 5, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (7:30 a.m. Central Time). The conference call can be accessed via webcast or by dialing 1-833-470-1428 (US toll-free) or 1-646-844-6383 (US local) and providing access code 152399. Archived access to the webcast will be available for one year on Cresco Labs’ investor website here.
New Cannabis Ventures’ NCV Newswire aims to gather high-quality content and information about leading cannabis companies to help our readers filter through the noise and stay on top of the most important cannabis business news. The NCV Newswire is edited by an editor and is not, however, automated. Got a secret news tip? Get in touch.
Boris Jordan, President and CEO of Curaleaf
