Aurora Cannabis Inc ACB

Delivers Record Annual Adjusted EBITDA¹ of $12.8 Million

NASDAQ | TSX: ACB

• Q4 Represents the Sixth Consecutive Quarter of Positive Adjusted EBITDA¹
• Increased Total Quarterly Net Revenue 5% YoY to $67.4 Million, Global Medical Cannabis Net Revenue¹ Grew by 20% YoY to $45.6 Million
• Ended the Fiscal Year with a Cash Position of ~$180 Million with Cannabis Business Debt-Free²
• Re-Affirms Target of Reaching Positive Free Cash Flow¹ by December 31, 2024

EDMONTON, AB, June 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Aurora Cannabis Inc. (the "Company" or "Aurora") (NASDAQ: ACB) (TSX: ACB), a leading Canada-based global medical cannabis company, today announced its financial and operational results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2024. As the fiscal year 2023 consisted of three quarters, the year-over-year comparison quarter for Q4 2024 ending March 31, 2024 is Q3 2023 ending March 31, 2023.

"We are incredibly pleased to be reporting our strongest fiscal year ever at Aurora. Total fiscal year 2024 net revenue increased 21% compared to the trailing four quarters, while adjusted EBITDA was positive on an annualized basis for the first time in our history, reaching $12.8 million. We also strengthened our balance sheet, ending with a strong net cash position of approximately $180 million as of March 31^st, and fully repaid our convertible debt," said Chief Executive Officer Miguel Martin.

"Aurora is the largest global medical cannabis company in nationally legal markets and our leadership is best differentiated by serving the diverse needs of patients across the world. In Q4 2024, global medical cannabis net revenue¹ increased 20% year-over-year, supported by the recent acquisition of MedReleaf Australia, where we saw significant growth, along with higher sales in Poland and the UK. We also achieved our highest quarterly adjusted gross margin¹ in medical cannabis of 66%, far ahead of our targeted range of 60%. These results are encouraging as we continue to progress towards our next milestone of positive free cash flow by December 31^st" concluded Mr. Martin.

Fourth Quarter 2024 Highlights

(Unless otherwise stated, comparisons are made between fiscal Q4 2024, Q3 2024, and Q3 2023 results and are in Canadian dollars)

Consolidated Revenue and Adjusted Gross Profit:
Total net revenue¹ was $67.4 million, as compared to $64.0 million in the prior year period. The 5% increase from the prior period was mainly due to 20% growth in our global medical cannabis business, partially offset by lower quarterly revenue in our consumer cannabis business, and to a far lesser extent, our plant propagation business.

Consolidated adjusted gross margin before fair value adjustments1 was 49% in Q4 2024 and in the prior year quarter. Adjusted gross profit before FV adjustments1 was $33.3 million in Q4 2024 vs $31.0 million in the prior year quarter, an increase of 8%.

Medical Cannabis:
Medical cannabis net revenue¹ was $45.6 million, a 20% increase from the prior year quarter, delivering 68% of Aurora's Q4 2024 consolidated net revenue[1] and 90% of adjusted gross profit before fair value adjustments¹.

The increase in net revenue1 of $7.7 million was primarily due to higher sales to Australia and Europe in the current period following the success of newly launched innovative cultivars in these markets. 

Adjusted gross margin before fair value adjustments¹ on medical cannabis net revenue reached 66% for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to 60% in the prior year quarter and within the Company's target range of 60% and above. The adjusted gross margins before fair value adjustments improved through sustainable cost reductions, higher selling prices in Australia, and improved efficiency in production operations, including sourcing for Europe from Canada due to the closure of the Aurora Nordic production facility.

Consumer Cannabis:
Aurora's consumer cannabis net revenue¹ was $10.2 million, compared to $14.5 million in the prior year quarter. The decrease was due to our decision to prioritize the supply of our GMP manufactured products to our high margin international business rather than the consumer business, which offers lower margins.

Adjusted gross margin before fair value adjustments[1] on consumer cannabis net revenue[1] was 16%, decreasing from 25% compared to the prior year quarter. The decrease from the prior year comparative quarter is largely due to product sales with lower margins relative to the comparative prior period.

Plant Propagation:
Plant propagation net revenue¹ was wholly comprised of the Bevo business, that contributed $10.4 million of net revenue¹ compared to $10.8 million in the prior year quarter. Historically, approximately 65-75% of plant propagation revenue and up to 80% of EBITDA has been earned in the first half of the calendar year.

Adjusted gross margin before fair value adjustments¹ on plant propagation revenue was 25% for Q4 2024 and 36% for the prior year quarter. This shift was due primarily to timing of certain revenues being moved to Q1 2025, the period ending June 30, 2024, which can be expected given the typical seasonality of the plant propagation business.

Selling, General and Administrative ("SG&A"):
Adjusted SG&A¹ was $31.6 million in Q4 2024, which excludes $8.0 million of restructuring and non-recurring costs. Adjusted SG&A¹ was slightly above the Company's previous target of $30 million due to the incremental SG&A following the acquisition and continuing integration of MedReleaf Australia.

Adjusted R&D¹, was $0.7 million in Q4 2024, decreased $0.9 million compared to the prior year quarter.

Net Loss:
Net loss from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $20.8 million compared to net loss of $76.2 million for the prior year period. The decrease in net loss of $55.4 million compared to the comparative prior quarter is primarily due to an increase in gross profit of $27.3 million, a decrease in operating expenses of $1.1 million, and a decrease in other expenses of $29.4 million. 

Adjusted EBITDA:
Adjusted EBITDA¹ was $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to $2.0 million for the prior year quarter.

Convertible Senior Notes Repayment
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company repaid an aggregate of approximately $7.2 million (US$5.3 million), representing the final repayment of the principal amount of its convertible senior notes and Aurora's cannabis business is now debt free².

Fiscal Q1 2025 Expectations:

• In Q1 2025, the period ending June 30, 2024, the Company expects to achieve consolidated net revenue percentage growth in the mid to high teens from Q4 2024. This expected increase in net revenue is driven by:
  • Growth in high margin international medical cannabis revenue from recent regulatory reforms in Germany which is expected to increase the size of the market, combined with continued strength in key European markets, as well as incremental revenue from MedReleaf Australia; and
• Our plant propagation segment typically experiences a seasonally higher quarter as it completes its peak spring floral sales period.
• Consolidated adjusted gross margin for each individual segment are typically similar on quarter over quarter basis, with a higher mix contribution from plant propagation.
• Positive adjusted EBITDA should be higher compared to the fourth quarter as a result of revenue growth combined with comparable consolidated margins.
• Operating cash flow is expected to improve in Q1 2025 compared to Q4 2024.

Achieving Positive Free Cashflow:
The Company views the target of positive free cashflow by end of calendar year 2024 as being achievable because of the following:

• Positioned to deliver continued increases in global medical cannabis, building on the growth expected in Q1 2025, driven by the full recognition of revenue in Australia as well as further growth in key European markets.
• Operating expenditure and gross margins are positioned to be in line with previously stated targets leading to continued strong positive adjusted EBITDA.
• Disciplined working capital management and maintenance capital expenditure of approximately $2.0 million a quarter.

Key Quarterly Financial and Operating Results

Conference Call

Aurora will host a conference call today, Thursday, June 20, 2024, to discuss these results. Miguel Martin, Chief Executive Officer, and Simona King, Chief Financial Officer, will host the call starting at 8:00 a.m. Eastern time | 6:00 a.m. Mountain Time. A question and answer session will follow management's presentation. 

This weblink has also been posted to the Company's "Investor Info" link at https://www.auroramj.com/investors/ under "Events".

About Aurora Cannabis

Aurora is opening the world to cannabis, serving both the medical and consumer markets across Canada, Europe, Australia and South America. Headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Aurora is a pioneer in global cannabis, dedicated to helping people improve their lives. The Company's adult-use brand portfolio includes Drift, San Rafael '71, Daily Special, Tasty's, Being and Greybeard. Medical cannabis brands include MedReleaf, CanniMed, Aurora and Whistler Medical Marijuana Co., as well as international brands, Pedanios, Bidiol, IndiMed and CraftPlant. Aurora also has a controlling interest in Bevo Farms Ltd., North America's leading supplier of propagated agricultural plants. Driven by science and innovation, and with a focus on high-quality cannabis products, Aurora's brands continue to break through as industry leaders in the medical, wellness and adult recreational markets wherever they are launched. Learn more at www.auroramj.com and follow us on X and LinkedIn.

Aurora's common shares trade on the NASDAQ and TSX under the symbol "ACB".

Forward Looking Statements

Forward-looking statements made in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding pro forma measures including revenue, cash flow, Adjusted gross margin before fair value adjustments, and expected SG&A run-rates; ongoing cost efficiencies; the Company's path and timing to achieve positive free cash flow; the acquisition of MedReleaf Australia and associated benefits to the Company; the Company's leadership in the global medical cannabis market; and statements under the heading "Fiscal Q1 2025 Expectations", including, but not limited to, those related to expectations for increased revenue, further growth in international medical cannabis markets, Bevo's performance, continued positive Adjusted EBITDA and improvements in operating cash flow. These forward-looking statements are only predictions. Forward looking information or statements contained in this news release have been developed based on assumptions management considers to be reasonable. Material factors or assumptions involved in developing forward-looking statements include, without limitation, publicly available information from governmental sources as well as from market research and industry analysis and assumptions based on data and knowledge of this industry which the Company believes to be reasonable. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances that could cause actual events, results, level of activity, performance, prospects, opportunities or achievements to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These risks include, but are not limited to, the ability to retain key personnel, the ability to continue investing in infrastructure to support growth, the ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms, the continued quality of our products, customer experience and retention, the development of third party government and non-government consumer sales channels, management's estimates of consumer demand in Canada and in jurisdictions where the Company exports, expectations of future results and expenses, the risk of successful integration of acquired business and operations, management's estimation that SG&A will grow only in proportion to revenue growth, the ability to expand and maintain distribution capabilities, the impact of competition, the general impact of financial market conditions, the yield from cannabis growing operations, product demand, changes in prices of required commodities, competition, the possibility for changes in laws, rules, and regulations in the industry, epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises, including the on-going outbreak of COVID-19, and other risks, uncertainties and factors set out under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form dated June [20], 2024 (the "AIF") and filed with Canadian securities regulators available on the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and filed with and available on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's ("SEC") EDGAR website at www.sec.gov as part of the Company's annual report on Form 40-F. The Company cautions that the list of risks, uncertainties and other factors described in the AIF is not exhaustive and other factors could also adversely affect its results. Readers are urged to consider the risks, uncertainties and assumptions carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such information. The Company is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities law.

The Company's AIF[2], MD&A and annual financial statements, which have been filed on SEDAR+ and with the SEC, are also available on the Company's website www.auroramj.com and shareholders may receive hard copies free of charge upon request by contacting aurora@icrinc.com.

Non-GAAP Measures

This news release contains reference to certain financial performance measures 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 of cannabis and cannabis companies. Non-GAAP Measures should be considered together with other data prepared in accordance with IFRS to enable investors to evaluate the Company's operating results, underlying performance and prospects in a manner similar to Aurora's management. Accordingly, these non-GAAP Measures are intended to provide additional information and to assist management and investors in assessing financial performance and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. The information included under the heading "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures" in the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the year ended March 31, 2024, and nine months ended March 31,2023 (the "MD&A") is incorporated by reference into this news release. The MD&A is available on the Company's issuer profiles on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and on the SEC's EDGAR website at www.sec.gov.

Net Revenue, Adjusted Gross Profit and Margin

Net revenue, adjusted gross profit before FV adjustments, and adjusted gross margin before FV adjustments are Non-GAAP Measures and can be reconciled with revenue, gross profit and gross margin, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, respectively, as follows: 

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA is a Non-GAAP Measure and can be reconciled with net income (loss), the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, as follows:

The following is the Company's adjusted EBITDA:

Adjusted SG&A

Adjusted SG&A is a Non-GAAP Measure and can be reconciled with sales and marketing and general and administrative expenses, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, as follows:

The table below outlines Adjusted SG&A for the periods ended:

Working Capital

Working capital is a Non-GAAP Measure and can be reconciled with total current assets and total current liabilities, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, as follows:

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SOURCE Aurora Cannabis Inc.