TORONTO, May 28, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Newstrike Resources Ltd. (TSXV:HIP) (The “Company” or “HIP”) announced today the achievement of significant milestones and a strengthened financial position for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Up Cannabis Inc., is a licensed producer of cannabis and related products under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (the “ACMPR”). The Company is pleased to report that its interim financial statements (the “Financial Statements”) and management’s discussion & analysis (“MD&A”) for the period ended March 31, 2018 are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.ca.
FIRST QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2018 HIGHLIGHTS:
- Received $9.5 million termination fee from CanniMed Therapeutics Inc.
- Completed $86.0 million bought-deal equity offering
- Strong financial position to drive Company’s growth strategies
- Cash and cash equivalents of approximately $88.0 million
- Net profit of $3.1 million on receipt of termination fee and increase in value of biological assets
- Licence amendment received allowing cannabis sales
- Niagara facility receives cultivation license
- Numerous branding and marketing activities to build Up Cannabis brand & consumer awareness
“We achieved a number of important financial and operational milestones during and subsequent to the first quarter of 2018,” Commented Jay Wilgar, Chief Executive Officer. “Most importantly, we are confident we are now sufficiently financed to aggressively execute our business plan and growth strategies.”
SELECTED SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS
| Q1 2018 ($) | |
| Revenue | 10,473,407 |
| Expenses | 7,380,095 |
| Net Income | 3,093,313 |
| Net Income Per Share (fully diluted) | 0.01 |
The Company recorded net income of $ 3,093,313 in the first quarter as a result of the receipt of the Termination Fee and a favorable revaluation of biological assets of $896,920 to generate non-operating revenue of $10,473,407.
Major costs continue to be the branding and marketing efforts of $536,857, a share-based compensation charge of $3,740,609, salaries and wages with the hiring of several key senior executives of $621,439 and other growth-related costs including travel, telecommunications and IT.
STRONG FINANCIAL POSITION
On February 22, 2018, the Company completed a bought-deal equity offering, issuing a total of 69.7 million Shares, including an Over-Allotment option, at $1.32 per share, and 73.8 million share purchase warrants at an exercise price of $1.75 exercisable within 24 months, for total net proceeds of approximately $86.0 million.
As at March 31, 2018 the Company had total assets of $117.7 million, including cash and cash equivalents of $88.4 million, up from total assets of $24.9 million, including cash and cash equivalents of $0.8 million as at December 31, 2017. The increase is due to the receipt of the termination fee, the net proceeds from the bought-deal financing, various capital acquisitions for the retrofit and expansion of the Niagara Facility, and a $0.9 million positive revaluation of biological assets.
With the receipt of the termination fee and the favorable revaluation of biological assets, the Company recorded non-operating revenue of $10.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and generated net income of $3.1 million.
SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES ACHIEVED
The Company received an amendment to its cultivation licence from Health Canada to allow for sales of cannabis on January 5, 2018 and received its cultivation licence at its Niagara facility on March 29, 2018. In addition, the Company has accumulated dried and finished goods cannabis inventory valued at $5.8 million as at March 31, 2018. The inventory increase, combined with the new licence and licence amendment for sales, further positions the Company to capitalize on growing demand for its products in anticipation of the legalization of adult-use cannabis.
The Company has also accelerated the construction and expansion of its Niagara facility and engaged in various marketing initiatives, developed an on-line presence and added experienced production and management people to build the Company’s Up Cannabis brand and consumer awareness.
The Company currently operates cannabis production facilities with an aggregate of approximately 167,600 existing square feet of indoor and greenhouse production capacity of which approximately 7,600 square feet is currently operating at or near full production capacity at its Brantford Facility and approximately 160,000 square feet has been retrofitted since obtaining its cultivation license on March 29, 2018 and has begun production at its Niagara Facility.
The Company remains focused on the adult–use cannabis market, which remains subject to the coming into force of Bill C-45 (the Cannabis Act) (“Bill C-45”). Therefore, the full execution and realization of the Company’s strategy and path to revenue is contingent on the passing and Royal Assent of the legislation. At this time, Bill C-45 has passed second reading in the Senate and has been schedule for third reading on or before June 7, 2018.
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On May 23, 2018, the Company announced that it had entered into an investment agreement with Inner Spirit Holdings Ltd. pursuant to which both Newstrike and Inner Spirit will acquire equity interests in each other and enter into a companion strategic alliance agreement for the retail distribution of Up Cannabis products and the creation and operation of Up Cannabis-branded customer lounges or “Experiential Hubs” in each of Inner Spirit’s stores. Inner Spirit has extensive franchise, marketing, real-estate and retail experience that it intends to capitalize on by establishing a chain of branded adult-use cannabis dispensaries across Canada under the “Spiritleaf” banner. To date, Spiritleaf is the only Canadian retail cannabis company to be granted membership into the Canadian Franchise Association and has over 100 franchises in various stages of development.
On May 24, 2018, the Company announced that it has entered into an agreement with a syndicate of investment dealers pursuant to which the Underwriters have agreed to purchase 53,350,000 units from the Company at a price of $0.75 per Unit for total gross proceeds of approximately $40 million. Each Unit will consist of one common share and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant. Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one Common Share at a price equal to $1.00 for a period of 60 months following the closing of the Offering. In addition, the Company has granted the Underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 15% of the Units of the Offering on the same terms exercisable at any time up to 30 days following the closing of the Offering. The net proceeds of the Offering will be used for growth initiatives, working capital and general corporate purposes.
On May 28, 2018, the Company announced that it had sold all of its shares in Enderlein Nurseries Limited.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jay Wilgar, Director and CEO
Telephone: (905) 844-8866 ext. 11
Email: ir@newstrike.ca
About Newstrike and Up Cannabis
Newstrike is the parent company of Up Cannabis Inc., a licensed producer of cannabis that is licensed to both cultivate and sell cannabis in all acceptable forms. Up Cannabis is in turn the parent company of Up Cannabis Niagara Inc. Newstrike, through Up Cannabis and together with select strategic partners, including Canada's iconic musicians The Tragically Hip, is developing a diverse network of high quality cannabis brands. For more information visit www.up.ca or www.newstrike.ca.
Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Newstrike to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to Newstrike's expectations with respect to its performance and achievements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties.
Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date.
Newstrike does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf, except as required by applicable law.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.