The Daily Hit: May 5, 2021

It’s time for your Daily Hit of cannabis financial news for April 5, 2021.

On The Site

Scotts

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (NYSE: SMG)  announced company-wide sales increased 32% in its fiscal second quarter to $1.83 billion versus $1.38 billion a year earlier. This beat the analyst estimates on Yahoo Finance which were $1.73 billion. Sales for the hydroponic segment known as Hawthorne increased 66% to $363.8 million. Scotts said that due to its fiscal calendar, the second quarter of 2021 ended six days later than the second quarter of fiscal 2020. The shift had a sales impact of approximately $122.5 million within the lawn and garden business, impacting the U.S. Consumer and Other segments.

The company beat analyst estimates which were $5.42 according to Yahoo Finance by delivering GAAP earnings from continuing operations of $5.44 per share. This also was much higher than last year’s $4.43 per share. Non-GAAP adjusted earnings, which exclude impairment, restructuring, and other non-recurring items, and are the basis of the company’s financial guidance, were $5.64 per share compared with $4.50 a year ago.

Jazz

Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq: JAZZ) closed on its acquisition of GW Pharmaceuticals and announced financial results for the first quarter of 2021 and affirmed financial guidance for 2021. On February 3, 2021, the company said it planned to buy GW Pharmaceuticals for $220.00 per American Depositary Share for a total value of approximately $7.2 billion, or $6.7 billion net of GW cash.

Total revenues increased 14% in the first quarter of 2021 to $607 million compared to the same period in 2020 which was $534 million. This was on target the average analyst estimates according to Yahoo Finance but missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $613.0 million. GAAP net income for the first quarter of 2021 was $121.8 million, or $2.09 per diluted share, compared to a GAAP net loss of $157.8 million, or $2.82 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2020. Non-GAAP adjusted net income for the first quarter of 2021 was $228.8 million, or $3.92 per diluted share, compared to $25.8 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2020.

MDMA

The Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) has worked for the last 35 years to shift the perception around psychedelics as a treatment tool for mental health issues. Now, with the release of data from its Phase III trial with the FDA for the use of MDMA (ecstasy) to treat PTSD, MAPS’ work has coalesced into findings that could change the mental health treatment landscape as we know it. 

MDMA is on the cusp of FDA approval to treat PTSD, not just for military veterans, but for an array of people who have suffered from abuse and other trauma-inducing events. In 2017, the FDA granted MDMA “breakthrough therapy status” in anticipation of approving it as a medication for mental health, and the release of MAPS’ latest statistically significant findings constitutes a huge leap towards legalization. 

Sundial Growers Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL)  is buying Inner Spirit Holdings Ltd. (CSE: ISH) (OTCQB: INSHF) in a deal valued at approximately $131 million. Inner Spirit is better known as the retailer and franchisor of Spiritleaf recreational cannabis stores across Canada. The Spiritleaf network includes 86 franchised and corporate-owned locations, all operated with an entrepreneurial spirit and with the goal of creating deep and lasting ties within local communities. The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of 2021.

In Other News

Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc.  (NYSE: IIPR) announced results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021.

First Quarter 2021 and Year-to-Date Highlights

Financial Results

• Generated total revenues of approximately $42.9 million in the quarter, representing a 103% increase from the prior year’s first quarter.
• Recorded net income attributable to common stockholders of approximately $25.6 million for the quarter, or $1.05 per diluted share, and adjusted funds from operations (“AFFO”) of approximately $38.4 million, or $1.47 per diluted share (Note: AFFO per diluted share for the period includes the dilutive impact of the assumed full exchange of IIP’s $143.75 million of exchangeable senior notes for shares of common stock).
• Paid a quarterly dividend of $1.32 per share on April 15, 2021 to common stockholders of record as of March 31, 2021, representing a 32% increase over the first quarter 2020’s dividend and an approximately 6% increase over the fourth quarter 2020 dividend.