If a wave of closures and company shutdowns is really on the way for the cannabis industry, what can investors do to stay ahead of the curve?
Despite lofty valuation projections, the rise of marijuana in the public markets has left turmoil in its wake.
While leaders in the space have been able to establish solid foundations through investment deals and continued expansion, experts are starting to grow worried about a very real wave of companies going out of business — an eventuality that could leave investors with empty hands.
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The Investing News Network (INN) asked several experts what retail investors should be aware of when it comes to this potential state of shutdown.
“The analogy that I would use is that there are 300 passengers on the boat, (but) the boat can only fit 50,” Andrew Udell, a financial expert with popular research group The Cannalysts, told INN.
The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) quickly became a hotbed for marijuana listings both from Canada and the international markets. According to an updated list of its constituents, the CSE currently has 196 cannabis stocks.
While that was once an exciting development for the industry, it has now become a warning sign for what’s to come, because a variety of experts don’t think the cannabis stock market is capable of sustaining the high number of listings.
“The common thinking or the common repeated phrase is that a lot of companies are going out of business,” Udell said.
Warning signs for cannabis investors to watch
After the trials and tribulations of 2019, investors in the marijuana space want to make sure their picks are the right ones. While many advisors and industry players are advocating for a long-term outlook for the market, quite a few companies operating today may not make it that long.
What is one of the big red flags an investor should look for in their portfolio right now? According to Nawan Butt, associate portfolio manager with Purpose Investments, if a company is not already selling its products at this point, that’s a big cause for concern.
“If you’re still putting together a cultivation or an extraction facility (with promises) of tomorrow, then it’s a difficult place to be,” Butt told INN.
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From his perspective, all cannabis companies should also be on the path to becoming earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) positive and cash flow positive.
Butt stressed that cannabis companies will need to have strong cash balances in order to support the needed growth over the next few years.
Udell agreed with this concept, mentioning that one of the first things an investor should look for when evaluating companies in the current marketplace is their cash position and whether or not that figure will get the company to its next benchmark.
The expert from The Cannalysts also said it is a positive sign for a company to be EBITDA positive.
“Capital has been very challenging for companies lately,” said Udell. “Companies that have demonstrated earnings and demonstrated EBITDA-positive status are going to be able to access capital.”
The hunt for cash has become a dominant topic in the cannabis industry, as companies are forced to adjust to the ever-more-challenging landscape attached to raising capital with the current state of the market and investor sentiment.
The shift in sentiment from investors of all sizes and strategies relates to the challenges seen by industry-leading players trickling down across the board.
In 2019, the Horizons Marijuana Life Science Index ETF (TSX:HMMJ), a broad index for the marijuana stock universe, fell in value by over 40 percent.
With such challenges in the market, a variety of players are also poised to engage in merger and acquisition (M&A) tactics as a way to prevent company shutdowns and continue operations.
But what will really dictate the direction these deals in the cannabis space take?
Strategic M&A to be dominated by desire for cash
When it comes to the possibility of using M&A as a way to join forces in the industry, Butt said mergers might not be the option most commonly used in cannabis.
“Yes, even though I do think there will be bankruptcies and operations shutting down, there’s less of a chance of more mergers,” Butt said.
From his perspective, businesses that lean towards branding or technology will be more desirable acquisition targets compared to heavy cultivation and extraction operations.
For Udell, there’s one clear thing that’s going to dictate all M&A activity moving forward.
“At the very bottom of it, it’s a hunt for cash,” Udell told INN.
During his time at the recent MJBizCon in Las Vegas, Nevada, one expert outlined how the rapidly evolving metrics from investors and analysts have helped to adjust the financial reality for cannabis companies operating in the current market.
“We think (investors) will focus much more on (asking,) ‘If it’s not profitable now, what are the specific losses and the path to profitability?’” Mike Regan, equity research analyst with Marijuana Business Daily, told INN.
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When asked about the challenging landscape for raising capital for cannabis companies at this time, Regan said at the end of the day it’s always better for companies to keep operating.
“It’s better to still have a business and survive … If you need the cash you need to do what you need to do to survive,” said Regan. “If you don’t survive it doesn’t matter.”
The analyst believes that realistically the path for a lot of cannabis companies will be costly due to the structure of deals available out there.
Despite all the promise of change attached to the marijuana industry, it remains a consumer business that must generate cash — that was one of the leading premises for Regan and his collaborator Craig Behnke, fellow equity research analyst with MJBiz Daily, during a presentation to investors at MJBizCon.
Investor takeaway
As a last bit of advice, Butt told INN that investors need to be critical of the geographical element for cannabis companies.
The promise of a nascent global cannabis industry has led a variety of Canadian players to pursue ventures in different countries.
With that in mind, Butt suggested investors favor companies in markets beyond Canada.
“Those companies that are limiting themselves to Canada do need to understand that even on a terminal basis, the size of the Canadian market is much smaller than the production or the supply of product that’s out there right now,” he said.
This article was originally published by the Investing News Network in January 2020.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Cannabis for real-time news updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Bryan Mc Govern, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Editorial Disclosure: The Investing News Network does not guarantee the accuracy or thoroughness of the information reported in the interviews it conducts. The opinions expressed in these interviews do not reflect the opinions of the Investing News Network and do not constitute investment advice. All readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence.
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Market entry will address pent-up demand in the Japanese & Philippine markets for TRACE proprietary plant-based mineral formulation and wellness-focused products
Emerging leader in innovative health and wellness beverages and natural products, BevCanna Enterprises Inc. ( CSE:BEV , Q:BVNNF , FSE:7BC ) (“ BevCanna ” or the “ Company ”) announces today that has entered into an exclusive sales agency distribution agreement with Yokohama-based Mirai Marketing Inc. (“Mirai”) to bring Naturo Group’s TRACE proprietary plant-based mineral consumer products to Mirai’s extensive Japanese and Philippine sales and distribution networks.
Mirai will assist BevCanna with their entry into the new markets, providing connections to established companies with robust distribution networks. Mirai has significant knowledge and relationships in the wellness products market and has facilitated over $100M in transactions with some of Asia’s largest trading companies and retail chains. The well-known distributor will leverage this extensive experience to rapidly scale the TRACE brand throughout the territories. The initial term of the agreement will be two years, with exclusivity subject to a minimum net revenue of C$1.0M over the course of the term and incentives to reach over C$5.0M during the term.
“We’re in active discussions with a number of distributors, wholesalers, trading companies and retailers to determine the best fit for the TRACE brand in the Japanese and Philippine markets,” said Melise Panetta, President of BevCanna. “Japanese consumers in particular are very health-conscious, and prospective partners have confirmed that the wellness benefits of our TRACE portfolio will be very appealing to this demographic.”
With over 40 years of experience working with some of Asia’s largest corporations, Mirai Marketing was founded by a team of Canadian and Japanese principals who have extensive experience in international sales, management and project development in a range of industries. Mirai is actively focusing on expanding sales of Naturo Group’s beverage and natural wellness products throughout Asia.
“We’re very excited to represent the TRACE products in the Japanese and Philippine marketplaces,” said Hideaki Sakuma, COO of Mirai. “We’ve seen an incredible growth in the demand for wellness-focused products by Asian consumers in recent years and an eagerness to participate in the evolution of health products. The TRACE line is certain to be a strong performer in this emerging market.”
About BevCanna Enterprises Inc.
BevCanna Enterprises Inc. ( CSE:BEV , Q:BVNNF , FSE:7BC ) is a diversified health & wellness, beverage and natural products company. BevCanna develops and manufactures a range of plant-based and cannabinoid beverages and supplements for both in-house brands and white-label clients.
With decades of experience creating, manufacturing and distributing iconic brands that resonate with consumers on a global scale, the team demonstrates an expertise unmatched in the nutraceutical and cannabis-infused beverage categories. Based in British Columbia, Canada, BevCanna owns a pristine alkaline spring water aquifer and a world–class 40,000–square–foot, HACCP certified manufacturing facility, with a bottling capacity of up to 210M bottles annually. BevCanna’s extensive distribution network includes more than 3,000 points of retail distribution through its market-leading TRACE brand, its Pure Therapy natural health and wellness e-commerce platform, its fully licensed Canadian cannabis manufacturing and distribution network, and a partnership with #1 U.S. cannabis beverage company Keef Brands .
On behalf of the Board of Directors:
John Campbell, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Strategy Officer
Director, BevCanna Enterprises Inc.
Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding: the Company’s agreement with Mirai, including the potential benefits thereof; the Japanese market for TRACE products and that the Company’s products will be very appealing to Japanese consumers; that there has been incredible growth in the demand for wellness-focused products by Japanese consumers in recent years and an eagerness to participate in the evolution of health products; that the TRACE line is certain to be a strong performer in this emerging market; and other statements regarding the business plans of the Company. The forward-looking statements reflect management’s current expectations based on information currently available and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements.
Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and, accordingly, undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to their inherent uncertainty. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things: general market conditions; changes to consumer preferences; volatility of commodity prices; future legislative, tax and regulatory developments; inability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favourable terms; the inability to implement business strategies; competition; currency and interest rate fluctuations; inability to successfully negotiate and enter into commercial arrangements with other parties; and other factors beyond the control of the Company and its commercial partners. The Company 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 required by law, and the Company does not assume any liability for disclosure relating to any other company mentioned herein.
Stock Option Grant
In connection with the sales agency distribution agreement with Mirai, the Company has granted (the “Grant”) an aggregate of 1,000,000 stock options (each, an “Option”) to purchase up to 1,000,000 common shares of the Company to Mirai. The Options granted vest upon the achievement of certain sales performance milestones and are exercisable for a period of 25 months from the date of Grant at a price of $1.50 per common share.
None of the securities acquired in the Grant will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and none of them may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state where such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210419005225/en/
For media enquiries or interviews:
Wynn Theriault, Thirty Dash Communications Inc.
416-710-3370
wynn@thirtydash.ca
For investor enquiries:
Bryce Allen, BevCanna Enterprises Inc.
778-766-3744
bryce@bevcanna.com
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Further to its press release dated April 12, 2021, Ayurcann Holdings Corp. ( CSE: AYUR ) (the “ Company ” or “ Ayurcann ”), is pleased to announce that it has oversubscribed and upsized its non-brokered private placement (the “Offering”) due to strong investor demand. The Company now anticipates that the Offering will be completed for gross proceeds of not less than $550,000.00, consisting of not less than 2,910,053 units (“Units”) at a price of $0.189 per Unit. Each Unit is comprised of one common share of the Company (a “Common Share”) and one half of one Common Share purchase warrant (a “Warrant”). Each Warrant is exercisable to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of C$0.38 per Common Share for a period of 36 months from the date of closing of the Offering (the “Closing Date”), scheduled for April 22, 2021. The Units will have a hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance.
Ayurcann CEO Igal Sudman commented: “We are very pleased with the demand we are seeing for the Offering. The feedback we have received to date is showing that our business is resonating with investors. We’re looking forward to closing the offering and proceeding with the planned Phase 2 build out, which will help greatly increase our facility’s capacity.”
As previously stated, certain insiders of the Company may participate in the Offering. The Company may pay a commission in cash equal to 6% of the value of select proceeds raised under the Financing, specifically excluding any funds raised from insiders.
The Company will use the gross proceeds of the Offering for their Pickering facility Phase 2 expansion, which, when such expansion is complete, is estimated to increase the Company’s annual extraction capacity from 200,000 kgs to 300,000 kgs, and increase the fulfillment capabilities of cannabis 2.0 and 3.0 products from approximately 1 million units annually to approximately 2.5 million units annually.
For further information, please contact:
Igal Sudman, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Corporate Secretary
Ayurcann Holdings Corp.
Tel: 416-720-6264
Email: igal@xtrx.ca
Investor Relations:
Ryan Bilodeau
Tel: 416-910-1440
Email: ir@ayurcann.com
About Ayurcann Holdings Corp.:
Ayurcann is a leading post-harvest solution provider with a focus on providing and creating custom processes and pharma grade products for the adult use and medical cannabis industry in Canada. Ayurcann is focused on becoming the partner of choice for leading Canadian cannabis brands by providing best-in-class, proprietary services including ethanol extraction, formulation, product development and custom manufacturing.
Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider have reviewed or accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Certain statements included in this press release constitute forward-looking information or statements (collectively, “forward-looking statements”), including those identified by the expressions “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “should” and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Company or its management. The forward- looking statements are not historical facts but reflect current expectations regarding future results or events. This press release contains forward looking statements, including but not limited to statements relating to the Company’s expansion plans and future production capacity. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and various estimates, factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, failure to obtain regulatory approval, ability to increase production at the Company’s facilities, the continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Although such statements are based on management’s reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that the statements will prove to be accurate or that management’s expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances or results will materialize. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, Further, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended and such changes could be material. Public health crises, including the ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, could have significant economic and geopolitical impacts that may adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and/or results of operations. The Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances unless required by law. Readers should not place undue reliance on the Company’s forward-looking statements.
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UK InstaCoin APP Promises to Open NFTs up to the Masses through Social Media
Codebase Ventures Inc. (“Codebase” or the “Company”) (CSE:CODE)(FSE:C5B)(OTCQB:BKLLF) is pleased to provide an update on its recent investment in InstaCoin Technologies Ltd., a newly formed UK entity
Following an extensive testing period, new NFT APP InstaCoin has announced a global submission to the Apple store platforms with imminent release. The APP which promises to simplify the creation of NFT assets from a user’s social media has gone through extensive scale and blockchain testing as well as creating full language compatibility with the Chinese markets and European block.
NFTs are the new and most popular way to sell digital content across the world. Up until now the focus has been on large value sales, InstaCoin APP promises to bring the creation and auction element to the everyday person.
Code has a strong track record with the founders of InstaCoin through the Company’s existing TRAD3R investment. Code is excited to expand their involvement with TRAD3R and InstaCoin, as both entities are taking an innovative approach within the blockchain ecosystem. Code has taken an early 50% equity position of InstaCoin who aims to democratize NFT’s rather than focus primarily on multi-million dollar individual components.
The InstaCoin APP is positioned as the world’s first self-serve social NFT platform. InstaCoin will allow users to connect their social profiles to the blockchain and create instant NFT tokens from their own content. Followers and fans connect in the open market for immediate sales.
InstaCoin Technologies Ltd., a newly formed UK entity, has no relationship with any other company or crypto exchange with similar names, including Instacoin Capital Inc.
About Codebase Ventures Inc.
Codebase Ventures Inc. seeks early-stage investments in emerging technology sectors, including the blockchain ecosystem and fintech. The Company identifies such opportunities and applies its relationships and capital to advance its interests.
For further information, please contact:
George Tsafalas – Ivy Lu
Investor Relations
Telephone: Toll-Free (877) 806-CODE (2633) or 1 (778) 806-5150
E-mail: IR@codebase.ventures
Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial position, business strategy, use of proceeds, corporate vision, proposed acquisitions, partnerships, joint-ventures and strategic alliances and co-operations, budgets, cost and plans and objectives of or involving the Company. Such forward-looking information reflects management’s current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “predicts”, “intends”, “targets”, “aims”, “anticipates” or “believes” or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions “may”, “could”, “should”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. A number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results or performance to materially differ from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions and dependence upon regulatory approvals. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities laws.
SOURCE: Codebase Ventures Inc.
View source version on accesswire.com:
https://www.accesswire.com/640877/Codebase-Investee-Instacoin-NFT-App-UK-Completes-Worldwide-Testing-Phase-and-Submission-to-Apple-Store-Platforms
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Ayurcann Holdings Corp. (CSE: AYUR) (the “Company” or “Ayurcann”) an integrated Canadian extraction company specializing in the processing of cannabis and hemp for the production of oils and various derivative products, announces the granting of stock options and restricted share units.
The Company has announced that it has granted incentive stock options to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company to purchase an aggregate of 1,000,100 common shares under the Company’s Stock Option Plan. Each option is exercisable at a price of $0.16 per common share, expires three years from the date of grant and vest six months from the date of the grant.
The Company has also granted restricted share unit grants, pursuant to the Company’s Restricted Share Unit plan, dated April 1, 2021, totaling 1,548,875 to certain eligible participants.
For further information, please contact:
Igal Sudman, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Corporate Secretary
Ayurcann Holdings Corp.
Tel: 416-720-6264
Email: igal@xtrx.ca
Investor Relations:
Ryan Bilodeau
Tel: 416-910-1440
Email: ir@ayurcann.com
About Ayurcann Holdings Corp.:
Ayurcann is a leading post-harvest solution provider with a focus on providing and creating custom processes and pharma grade products for the adult use and medical cannabis industry in Canada. Ayurcann is focused on becoming the partner of choice for leading Canadian cannabis brands by providing best-in-class, proprietary services including ethanol extraction, formulation, product development and custom manufacturing.
Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider have reviewed or accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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