The U.S.-listed shares of Aphria Inc. APHA, +0.06% dropped 7.6% in premarket trading Monday, after the Canada-based cannabis company reported a wider-than-expected fiscal third-quarter loss and revenue that rose less than forecast, citing reduced demand resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. For the quarter ending Feb. 28, the company swung to a net loss of C$366.8 million ($292.7 million), or C$1.14 a share, from net income of C$5.0 million, or C$0.02 a share, in the year ago period. Excluding nonrecurring items, such as unrealized losses and gains on convertible debt, adjusted losses per share widened to 15 cents from 4 cents, compared with the FactSet consensus for a per-share loss of 5 cents. Revenue rose 6.4% to $C153.6 million ($122.6 million), but missed the FactSet consensus of C$161.3 million. “As a result of the ongoing effects of COVID-19, including provincial lockdowns and provincial boards taking measures to lower their inventory levels which had previously included forecasted cannabis market growth, the company experienced what it believes is a transitory reduction in demand during the quarter,” the company said in a statement. The average retail selling price of adult-use cannabis fell to 11% to C$3.82 per gram, while the average retail selling price of medical cannabis slipped 3.9T to C$6.69 per gram. “We remain excited with the opportunities created for both Aphria shareholders and Tilray stockholders in completing our proposed business combination with Tilray TLRY, -0.05%, and believe that together, we will create one of the strongest global cannabis and consumer packaged goods companies in the world,” Chief Executive Irwin Simon said. Aphria’s stock has soared 135.3% year to date through Friday, while the Cannabis ETF THCX, +2.45% has rallied 57.4% and the S&P 500 SPX, +0.77% has gained 9.9%.
View Article Origin Here
