Cronos Group Reports 2022 Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Results
Consolidated net revenue increased 23% in Full Year 2022 compared to Full Year 2021; on a constant currency basis consolidated net revenue increased 28% in Full Year 2022 compared to Full Year 2021
Net revenue in Israel increased 128% in Full Year 2022 compared to Full Year 2021; on a constant currency basis net revenue in Israel increased 137% in Full Year 2022 compared to Full Year 2021
Ended 2022 with $878 million in cash and short-term investments
Spinach® became the number one edible brand in Canada in January 2023
TORONTO, Feb. 28, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) (“Cronos” or the “Company”), today announces its 2022 fourth quarter and full-year business results.
“2022 was a transformative year for Cronos in which we executed a business realignment, including a cost savings program, while staying laser focused on continuing to build our portfolio of borderless products,” said Mike Gorenstein, Chairman, President and CEO of Cronos. “We exceeded our originally stated goal by saving $28.7 million in operating expenses in 2022, to right-size our cost structure to be more adaptable to the changing landscape we face globally in the cannabis industry. A significant amount of work went into building the Spinach® brand and creating the right products for it, which culminated in the brand achieving the number one market share in the Canadian edibles category in January 2023. This achievement was validation of our innovation capabilities and is encouraging as we prepare to further expand our portfolio of borderless products. Additionally, Peace Naturals® continues to be a leading medical cannabis brand in Israel, supported by our robust genetics portfolio, which is a testament to our capabilities in building iconic brands that resonate with consumers across the globe. Looking forward to 2023, we are excited about our product and innovation pipelines across categories and we look forward to bringing differentiated products to market that elevate the consumer experience.”
Financial Results
(in thousands of USD) |
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| 2022 |
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| 2021 |
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| 2022 |
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| 2021 |
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| $ |
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Net revenue |
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United States |
| $ | 854 |
|
| $ | 3,106 |
|
| $ | (2,252 | ) |
| (73 | )% |
| $ | 5,155 |
|
| $ | 9,874 |
|
| $ | (4,719 | ) |
| (48 | )% |
Rest of World |
|
| 22,033 |
|
|
| 22,689 |
|
|
| (656 | ) |
| (3 | )% |
|
| 86,749 |
|
|
| 64,561 |
|
|
| 22,188 |
|
| 34 | % |
Consolidated net revenue |
|
| 22,887 |
|
|
| 25,795 |
|
|
| (2,908 | ) |
| (11 | )% |
|
| 91,904 |
|
|
| 74,435 |
|
|
| 17,469 |
|
| 23 | % |
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Cost of sales |
|
| 23,121 |
|
|
| 23,852 |
|
|
| (731 | ) |
| (3 | )% |
|
| 79,935 |
|
|
| 80,008 |
|
|
| (73 | ) |
| — | % |
Inventory write-down |
|
| — |
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|
| — |
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|
| — |
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| N/A |
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| — |
|
|
| 11,961 |
|
|
| (11,961 | ) |
| (100 | )% |
Gross profit |
| $ | (234 | ) |
| $ | 1,943 |
|
| $ | (2,177 | ) |
| (112 | )% |
| $ | 11,969 |
|
| $ | (17,534 | ) |
| $ | 29,503 |
|
| 168 | % |
Gross margin(i) |
|
| (1 | )% |
|
| 8 | % |
|
| N/A |
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| (9 | )pp |
|
| 13 | % |
|
| (24 | )% |
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| N/A |
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| 37 | pp |
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Net income (loss)(ii) |
| $ | (78,857 | ) |
| $ | (133,892 | ) |
| $ | 55,035 |
|
| 41 | % |
| $ | (168,734 | ) |
| $ | (397,204 | ) |
| $ | 228,470 |
|
| 58 | % |
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Adjusted EBITDA(iii) |
| $ | (21,212 | ) |
| $ | (27,357 | ) |
| $ | 6,145 |
|
| 22 | % |
| $ | (80,608 | ) |
| $ | (160,463 | ) |
| $ | 79,855 |
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| 50 | % |
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Other Data |
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Cash and cash equivalents(iv) |
| $ | 764,644 |
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| $ | 886,973 |
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| $ | (122,329 | ) |
| (14 | )% |
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Short-term investments(iv) |
|
| 113,077 |
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| 117,684 |
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| (4,607 | ) |
| (4 | )% |
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Capital expenditures(v) |
|
| 768 |
|
|
| 567 |
|
|
| 201 |
|
| 35 | % |
|
| 5,032 |
|
|
| 12,262 |
|
|
| (7,230 | ) |
| (59 | )% |
(i) Gross margin is defined as gross profit divided by net revenue.
(ii) Net income (loss) of $(78.9) million in Q4 2022 improved by $55.0 million from Q4 2021. The improvement year-over-year was primarily driven by a $122.9 million impairment loss on long lived assets in Q4 2021 that did not occur in Q4 2022.
(iii) See “Non-GAAP Measures” for more information, including a reconciliation of adjusted earnings (loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) to net income (loss).
(iv) Dollar amounts are as of the last day of the period indicated.
(v) Capital expenditures represent component information of investing activities and is defined as the sum of purchase of property, plant and equipment, and purchase of intangible assets.
Fourth Quarter 2022
Net revenue of $22.9 million in Q4 2022 decreased by $2.9 million from Q4 2021. The decrease year-over-year was primarily driven by lower cannabis flower sales in the Canadian adult-use market driven largely by adverse price/mix shift, lower sales in the U.S. segment and the impact of the weakening Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar during the period, partially offset by an increase in net revenue in the Israeli medical market.
Gross profit of $(0.2) million in Q4 2022 declined by $2.2 million from Q4 2021. The decline year-over-year was primarily driven by reduced gross profit in the Rest of World (“ROW”) segment, mainly driven by lower cannabis flower sales in Canada, increased inventory reserves in the U.S. segment as we transitioned away from beauty products, lower fixed cost absorption and packaging changes in the ROW segment, partially offset by increased sales of cannabis flower in Israel, a favorable mix of cannabis extract products that carry a higher margin profile than other product categories, and lower cannabis biomass costs.
Adjusted EBITDA of $(21.2) million in Q4 2022 improved by $6.1 million from Q4 2021. The improvement year-over-year was primarily driven by decreases in general and administrative expenses, sales and marketing expenses, and research and development expenses primarily as a result of the Company's strategic realignment (the “Realignment”).
Full-Year 2022
Net revenue of $91.9 million in Full-Year 2022 increased by $17.5 million from Full-Year 2021. The increase year-over-year was primarily driven by an increase in net revenue in the ROW segment driven by growth in the Israeli medical market and higher extract sales in the Canadian adult-use market, partially offset by a reduction in revenue in the U.S. segment, an adverse price/mix shift in the cannabis flower category in Canada and the impact of the weakened Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar during the period.
Gross profit of $12.0 million in Full-Year 2022 improved by $29.5 million from Full-Year 2021. The improvement year-over-year was primarily driven by increased revenue in the ROW segment, mainly driven by a favorable mix of cannabis extract products in Canada that carry a higher margin profile than other product categories, higher sales of cannabis flower in Israel, the absence of inventory write-downs in 2022 and lower cannabis biomass costs. The increases were partially offset by increased inventory reserves in the U.S. segment as we transitioned away from beauty products and lower fixed cost absorption.
Adjusted EBITDA of $(80.6) million in Full-Year 2022 improved by $79.9 million from Full-Year 2021. The improvement year-over-year was primarily driven by an improvement in gross profit and decreases in general and administrative expenses, sales and marketing expenses, and research and development expenses primarily as a result of the Realignment.
Business Updates
Strategic and Organizational Update
In March 2022, following the evaluation of our global supply chain, we announced the planned exit of our Peace Naturals Campus. Cronos participates in an industry that is constantly evolving, so it is important for the Company to stay agile. To do that, the Company continues transitioning towards a more flexible footprint, ensuring we have the capabilities to execute in current and future market opportunities. To that end, Cronos has decided to maintain select components of its operations at the Peace Naturals Campus, namely distribution and warehousing, certain R&D activities and manufacturing of certain of the Company’s proprietary innovation products.
Following the $28.7 million in operating expense savings in 2022, we have identified an additional $10 to $20 million we anticipate saving across operating expense categories in 2023, primarily driven by savings in sales and marketing, general and administrative, and research and development.
Brand and Product Portfolio
In the fourth quarter of 2022 the Spinach® brand continued to organically expand market share in the edibles category in Canada. According to Hifyre data, Spinach® edibles held an approximate 15.9% market share, which expands to approximately 20.9% within the gummy category, during the fourth quarter of 2022. Furthermore, five SOURZ by Spinach® gummies ranked in the top-10 of all Canadian SKUs by market share. As of January 2023, Spinach® was the number one edible brand in Canada, according to Hifyre data.
In December 2022, the Company expanded its rare cannabinoid edible line-up under the Spinach FEELZ™ brand, with the introduction of a new CBC gummy, Spinach FEELZ™ Mango Lime 1:3 THC + CBC. These gummies are the first CBC gummy product in Canada and the first to feature a 1:3 ratio of THC to CBC.
Cronos revamped its vape portfolio in 2022, including the addition of 1-gram vapes, new and exciting flavors based off of well performing flower strains and multiple rare cannabinoid SKUs, including CBG and CBN. In the fourth quarter, Spinach® rose to be the number six vape brand, capturing 4.8% market share according to Hifyre data. This result was led by the best performing Spinach® product, the Blueberry Dynamite 1-gram vape.
In the fourth quarter of 2022, Cronos continued to innovate and improve its pre-roll and flower portfolio under the Spinach® brand with the launch of new and exciting high potency strains in Canada. Cronos launched two new strains across various formats: Kiwi Lime Punch and Green Monster Breath.
In Israel, we continue to execute by growing brand awareness with PEACE NATURALS®. Cronos is focused on continuing to bring new and exciting cannabis flower strains powered by our genetic breeding program to the Israeli medical market, such as Cocoa Bomba and Miami Sky.
Intellectual Property Initiatives
In November and December 2022, Cronos achieved equity milestones for cannabichromenic acid (“CBCA”) and cannabichromevarinic acid (“CBCVA”), respectively, under its strategic partnership (the “Ginkgo Strategic Partnership”) with Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DNA) (“Ginkgo”). The Company is pleased to have achieved milestones for three rare cannabinoids through the fermentation process in 2022.
Global Supply Chain
Cronos Growing Company Inc. (“Cronos GrowCo”) reported to the Company preliminary unaudited net revenue to licensed producers excluding sales to the Company in the fourth quarter and full-year 2022 of approximately $2.4 million and $21.0 million, respectively. GrowCo’s performance on cultivation continues to be strong, hitting north of 30% THC potency on recent harvests, which is a testament to our joint venture’s complementary capabilities in cultivation and downstream processing and the Company’s investment in genetic breeding and tissue culture. The Company's 50% share of GrowCo’s net income, which is accounted for under the equity method of accounting, equated to $3.1 million in 2022. Cronos previously provided GrowCo with a credit facility, which currently has approximately $73.8 million outstanding following the repayment of principal of $3.1 million by GrowCo as of December 2022. In addition to principal repayment, Cronos also received $2.2 million in interest payments from GrowCo in 2022, which totals approximately $5.2 million in cash payments to Cronos in 2022.
Appointments
In November 2022, Cronos appointed James Holm as Chief Financial Officer after nearly two decades of finance and accounting experience at leading companies across industries. He most recently served as the Global Vice President of Finance Transformation at Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, where he led the company’s centralization, standardization and optimization to a Global Shared Service hub for finance processes. Before joining Vertiv, Mr. Holm served as Finance Leader, Finance Solutions & Process Transformation Organization at Worldpay, one of the largest global payment processors. There he drove financial reporting accuracy, capabilities and enhancements across the company. Earlier in his career, he held multiple positions of increasing seniority in the finance department during his eight-year tenure at Procter and Gamble.
Rest of World Results
Cronos’ ROW reporting segment includes results of the Company’s operations for all markets outside of the U.S.
(in thousands of USD) |
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| 2022 |
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| 2021 |
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| $ |
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| 2022 |
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| 2021 |
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| $ |
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Cannabis flower |
| $ | 15,555 |
|
| $ | 18,857 |
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| $ | (3,302 | ) |
| (18 | )% |
| $ | 63,593 |
|
| $ | 55,194 |
|
| $ | 8,399 |
|
| 15 | % |
Cannabis extracts |
|
| 6,325 |
|
|
| 3,787 |
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|
| 2,538 |
|
| 67 | % |
|
| 22,522 |
|
| $ | 8,807 |
|
|
| 13,715 |
|
| 156 | % |
Other |
|
| 153 |
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|
| 45 |
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|
| 108 |
|
| 240 | % |
|
| 634 |
|
| $ | 560 |
|
|
| 74 |
|
| 13 | % |
Net revenue |
|
| 22,033 |
|
|
| 22,689 |
|
|
| (656 | ) |
| (3 | )% |
|
| 86,749 |
|
|
| 64,561 |
|
|
| 22,188 |
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| 34 | % |
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Cost of sales |
|
| 20,773 |
|
|
| 20,287 |
|
|
| 486 |
|
| 2 | % |
|
| 71,313 |
|
|
| 70,193 |
|
|
| 1,120 |
|
| 2 | % |
Inventory write-down |
|
| — |
|
|
| — |
|
|
| — |
|
| N/A |
|
|
| — |
|
|
| 11,961 |
|
|
| (11,961 | ) |
| (100 | )% |
Gross profit |
| $ | 1,260 |
|
| $ | 2,402 |
|
| $ | (1,142 | ) |
| (48 | )% |
| $ | 15,436 |
|
| $ | (17,593 | ) |
| $ | 33,029 |
|
| 188 | % |
Gross margin |
|
| 6 | % |
|
| 11 | % |
| N/A |
| (5 | )pp |
|
| 18 | % |
|
| (27 | )% |
|
| N/A |
|
| 45 | pp | ||
Fourth Quarter 2022
Net revenue of $22.0 million in Q4 2022 decreased by $0.7 million from Q4 2021. The decrease year-over-year was primarily driven by a decrease in cannabis flower revenue in Canada driven by adverse price/mix shift and the impact of the weakened Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar during the period, partially offset by higher cannabis extract sales in Canada and cannabis flower sales in Israel.
Gross profit of $1.3 million in Q4 2022 declined by $1.1 million from Q4 2021. The decline year-over-year was primarily driven by lower fixed absorption and packaging changes, partially offset by increased cannabis flower revenue in Israel, and higher cannabis extract sales in Canada, which carry a higher gross margin than other product categories, and lower cannabis biomass costs.
Full-Year 2022
Net revenue of $86.7 million in Full-Year 2022 increased by $22.2 million from Full-Year 2021. The increase year-over-year was primarily driven by growth in cannabis flower revenue in the Israeli medical market and higher cannabis extract sales in the Canadian adult-use market, partially offset by lower cannabis flower sales in Canada driven by an adverse price/mix shift and the impact of the weakened Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar during the period.
Gross profit of $15.4 million in Full-Year 2022 improved by $33.0 million from Full-Year 2021. The improvement year-over-year was primarily driven by increased cannabis flower revenue in Israel, and higher cannabis extract sales in Canada, which carry a higher gross margin than other product categories, the absence of inventory write-downs in 2022 and lower cannabis biomass costs. The improvements were partially offset by lower fixed cost absorption.
United States Results
Cronos’ U.S. reporting segment includes results of the Company’s operations for all brands and products in the U.S.
(in thousands of USD) |
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| 2022 |
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| 2021 |
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| $ |
| % |
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| 2022 |
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| 2021 |
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| $ |
| % | ||||||
Net revenue |
| $ | 854 |
|
| $ | 3,106 |
|
| $ | (2,252 | ) |
| (73 | )% |
| $ | 5,155 |
|
| $ | 9,874 |
|
| $ | (4,719 | ) |
| (48 | )% |
Cost of sales |
|
| 2,348 |
|
|
| 3,565 |
|
|
| (1,217 | ) |
| (34 | )% |
|
| 8,622 |
|
|
| 9,815 |
|
|
| (1,193 | ) |
| (12 | )% |
Gross profit |
| $ | (1,494 | ) |
| $ | (459 | ) |
| $ | (1,035 | ) |
| (225 | )% |
| $ | (3,467 | ) |
| $ | 59 |
|
| $ | (3,526 | ) |
| N/M |
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Gross margin |
|
| (175 | )% |
|
| (15 | )% |
|
| N/A |
|
| (160 | )pp |
|
| (67 | )% |
|
| 1 | % |
|
| N/A |
|
| (68 | )pp |
Fourth Quarter 2022
Net revenue of $0.9 million in Q4 2022 decreased by $2.3 million from Q4 2021. The decrease year-over-year was primarily driven by a reduction in sales as a result of a decrease in promotional spending and SKU rationalization efforts as the Company implemented the Realignment with respect to the U.S. segment.
Gross profit of $(1.5) million in Q4 2022 decreased by $1.0 million from Q4 2021. The decrease year-over-year was primarily due to lower sales volumes and increased inventory reserves associated with discontinued products as we transition away from beauty products and focus on adult-use product formats.
Full-Year 2022
Net revenue of $5.2 million in Full-Year 2022 decreased by $4.7 million from Full-Year 2021. The decrease year-over-year was primarily due to a decrease in promotional spending and SKU rationalization efforts as the Company implemented the Realignment with respect to the U.S. segment.
Gross profit of $(3.5) million in Full-Year 2022 decreased by $3.5 million from Full-Year 2021. The decrease year-over-year was primarily due to lower sales volumes and increased inventory reserves associated with discontinued products as we transition away from beauty products and focus on adult-use product formats.
Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call and live audio webcast on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss 2022 Fourth Quarter and Full-Year business results. An audio replay of the call will be archived on the Company’s website for replay. Instructions for the live audio webcast are provided on the Company's website at: https://ir.thecronosgroup.com/events-presentations.
About Cronos
Cronos is an innovative global cannabinoid company committed to building disruptive intellectual property by advancing cannabis research, technology and product development. With a passion to responsibly elevate the consumer experience, Cronos is building an iconic brand portfolio. Cronos’ diverse international brand portfolio includes Spinach®, PEACE NATURALS® and Lord Jones®. For more information about Cronos and its brands, please visit: thecronosgroup.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains information that constitutes forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws and court decisions (collectively, “Forward-Looking Statements”), which are based upon our current internal expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs. All information that is not clearly historical in nature may constitute Forward-Looking Statements. In some cases, Forward-Looking Statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “expect”, “likely”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “potential”, “proposed”, “estimate” and other similar words, expressions and phrases, including negative and grammatical variations thereof, or statements that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” happen, or by discussion of strategy. Forward-Looking Statements include estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, targets, guidance or other statements that are not statements of historical fact.
Forward-Looking Statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to:
expectations related to the Realignment and any progress, challenges and effects related thereto as well as changes in strategy, metrics, investments, reporting structure, costs, operating expenses, employee turnover and other changes with respect thereto;
the timing of the change in the nature of operations at the Peace Naturals Campus and the expected costs and benefits from the wind-down of cultivation and certain production activities at the Peace Naturals Campus;
our ability to effectively wind-down cultivation and certain production activities at the Peace Naturals Campus in an organized fashion and acquire raw materials from other suppliers, including Cronos Growing Company Inc. (“Cronos GrowCo”), and the costs and timing associated therewith;
expectations regarding the potential success of, and the costs and benefits associated with, our joint ventures, strategic alliances and equity investments, including the strategic partnership (the “Ginkgo Strategic Partnership”) with Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. (“Ginkgo”);
our ability or plans to identify, develop, commercialize or expand our technology and research and development (“R&D”) initiatives in cannabinoids, or the success thereof;
expectations regarding revenues, expenses, gross margins and capital expenditures;
expectations regarding our future production and manufacturing strategy and operations, the costs and timing associated therewith and the receipt of applicable production and sale licenses;
the ongoing impact of the legalization of additional cannabis product types and forms for adult-use in Canada, including federal, provincial, territorial and municipal regulations pertaining thereto, the related timing and impact thereof and our intentions to participate in such markets;
the legalization of the use of cannabis for medical or adult-use in jurisdictions outside of Canada, the related timing and impact thereof and our intentions to participate in such markets, if and when such use is legalized;
the grant, renewal, withdrawal, suspension, delay and impact of any license or supplemental license to conduct activities with cannabis or any amendments thereof;
our ability to successfully create and launch brands and further create, launch and scale U.S. hemp-derived cannabinoid consumer products and cannabis products;
the benefits, viability, safety, efficacy, dosing and social acceptance of cannabis, including CBD and other cannabinoids;
laws and regulations and any amendments thereto applicable to our business and the impact thereof, including uncertainty regarding the application of United States (“U.S.”) state and federal law to U.S. hemp (including CBD and other U.S. hemp-derived cannabinoids) products and the scope of any regulations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”), the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (the “DEA”), the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”), the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (the “PTO”) and any state equivalent regulatory agencies over U.S. hemp (including CBD and other U.S. hemp-derived cannabinoids) products;
the laws and regulations and any amendments thereto relating to the U.S. hemp industry in the U.S., including the promulgation of regulations for the U.S. hemp industry by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (the “USDA”) and relevant state regulatory authorities;
the anticipated benefits and impact of Altria Group Inc.’s investment in the Company (the “Altria Investment”), pursuant to a subscription agreement dated December 7, 2018;
uncertainties as to our ability to exercise our option (the “PharmaCann Option”) in PharmaCann Inc. (“PharmaCann”), in the near term or the future, in full or in part, including the uncertainties as to the status and future development of federal legalization of cannabis in the U.S. and our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the transaction with PharmaCann;
expectations regarding the implementation and effectiveness of key personnel changes;
expectations regarding acquisitions and dispositions and the anticipated benefits therefrom;
our ability to timely and effectively remediate any material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting;
expectations of the amount or frequency of impairment losses, including as a result of the write-down of intangible assets, including goodwill;
the uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, including our ability, and the abilities of our joint ventures and our suppliers and distributors, to effectively deal with the restrictions, limitations and health issues presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability to continue our production, distribution and sale of our products, and demand for and the use of our products by consumers;
the impact of the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine (and resulting sanctions) on our business, financial condition and results of operations or cash flows;
our compliance with the terms of the settlement with the SEC (the “SEC Order”) and the settlement with the Ontario Securities Commission (the “OSC Settlement”), including complying with any recommendations made by the independent consultant appointed pursuant to the SEC Order (the “Consultant”); and
the impact of the loss of our ability to rely on private offering exemptions under Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the loss of our status as a well-known seasoned issuer, each as a result the SEC Order.
Certain of the Forward-Looking Statements contained herein concerning the industries in which we conduct our business are based on estimates prepared by us using data from publicly available governmental sources, market research, industry analysis and on assumptions based on data and knowledge of these industries, which we believe to be reasonable. However, although generally indicative of relative market positions, market shares and performance characteristics, such data is inherently imprecise. The industries in which we conduct our business involve risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various factors, which are described further below.
The Forward-Looking Statements contained herein are based upon certain material assumptions that were applied in drawing a conclusion or making a forecast or projection, including: (i) our ability to realize the expected cost-savings, efficiencies and other benefits of our Realignment and employee turnover related thereto; (ii) our ability to efficiently and effectively wind-down our cultivation and certain production activities at the Peace Naturals Campus, receive the benefits of the change in the nature of our operations at our Peace Naturals Campus and acquire raw materials on a timely and cost-effective basis from third parties, including Cronos GrowCo; (iii) our ability to realize anticipated benefits, synergies or generate revenue, profits or value from our acquisitions and strategic investments; (iv) the production and manufacturing capabilities and output from our facilities and our joint ventures, strategic alliances and equity investments; (v) government regulation of our activities and products including, but not limited to, the areas of cannabis taxation and environmental protection; (vi) the timely receipt of any required regulatory authorizations, approvals, consents, permits and/or licenses; (vii) consumer interest in our products; (viii) competition; (ix) anticipated and unanticipated costs; (x) our ability to generate cash flow from operations; (xi) our ability to conduct operations in a safe, efficient and effective manner; (xii) our ability to hire and retain qualified staff, and acquire equipment and services in a timely and cost-efficient manner; (xiii) our ability to exercise the PharmaCann Option and realize the anticipated benefits of the transaction with PharmaCann; (xiv) our ability to complete planned dispositions, and, if completed, obtain our anticipated sales price; (xv) our ability, and the abilities of our joint ventures and our suppliers and distributors, to effectively deal with the restrictions, limitations and health issues presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ability to continue our production, distribution and sale of our products and customer demand for and use of our products; (xvi) general economic, financial market, regulatory and political conditions in which we operate; (xvii) management’s perceptions of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments; and (xviii) other considerations that management believes to be appropriate in the circumstances. While our management considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to management, there is no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.
By their nature, Forward-Looking Statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. A variety of factors, including known and unknown risks, many of which are beyond our control, could cause actual results to differ materially from the Forward-Looking Statements in this Annual Report and other reports we file with, or furnish to, the SEC and other regulatory agencies and made by our directors, officers, other employees and other persons authorized to speak on our behalf. Such factors include, without limitation, that we may not be able to wind-down cultivation and certain production activities at the Peace Naturals Campus in a disciplined manner or achieve the anticipated benefits of the change in the nature of our operations or be able to access raw materials on a timely and cost-effective basis from third-parties, including Cronos GrowCo; the risk that the COVID-19 pandemic and the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine may disrupt our operations and those of our suppliers and distribution channels and negatively impact the demand for and use of our products; the risk that cost savings and any other synergies from the Altria Investment may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; failure to execute key personnel changes; the risks that our Realignment, the change in the nature of our operations at the Peace Naturals Campus and our further leveraging of our strategic partnerships will not result in the expected cost-savings, efficiencies and other benefits or will result in greater than anticipated turnover in personnel; levels of revenues; the lack of consumer demand for our cannabis and U.S. hemp products; our inability to manage disruptions in credit markets or changes to our credit ratings; unanticipated future levels of capital, environmental or maintenance expenditures, general and administrative and other expenses; growth opportunities not turning out as expected; the lack of cash flow necessary to execute our business plan (either within the expected timeframe or at all); difficulty raising capital; the potential adverse effects of judicial, regulatory or other proceedings, or threatened litigation or proceedings, on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows; volatility in and/or degradation of general economic, market, industry or business conditions; compliance with applicable environmental, economic, health and safety, energy and other policies and regulations and in particular health concerns with respect to vaping and the use of cannabis and U.S. hemp products in vaping devices; the unexpected effects of actions of third parties such as competitors, activist investors or federal (including U.S. federal), state, provincial, territorial or local regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations; adverse changes in regulatory requirements in relation to our business and products; legal or regulatory obstacles that could prevent us from being able to exercise the PharmaCann Option and thereby realizing the anticipated benefits of the transaction with PharmaCann; dilution of our fully-diluted ownership of PharmaCann and the loss of our rights as a result of that dilution; a delay in our remediation of material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting and the improvement of our control environment and our systems, processes and procedures; and the factors discussed under Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. Readers are cautioned to consider these and other factors, uncertainties and potential events carefully and not to put undue reliance on Forward-Looking Statements.
Forward-Looking Statements are provided for the purposes of assisting the reader in understanding our financial performance, financial position and cash flows as of and for periods ended on certain dates and to present information about management’s current expectations and plans relating to the future, and the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on these Forward-Looking Statements because of their inherent uncertainty and to appreciate the limited purposes for which they are being used by management. While we believe that the assumptions and expectations reflected in the Forward-Looking Statements are reasonable based on information currently available to management, there is no assurance that such assumptions and expectations will prove to have been correct. Forward-Looking Statements are made as of the date they are made and are based on the beliefs, estimates, expectations and opinions of management on that date. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any Forward-Looking Statements, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such Forward-Looking Statements. The Forward-Looking Statements contained in this press release and other reports we file with, or furnish to, the SEC and other regulatory agencies and made by our directors, officers, other employees and other persons authorized to speak on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.
As used in this press release, “CBD” means cannabidiol and “U.S. hemp” has the meaning given to the term “hemp” in the U.S. Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, including hemp-derived CBD.
Cronos Group Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
|
| As of December 31, 2022 |
| As of December 31, 2021 | ||||
Assets |
| (Audited) |
| (Audited) | ||||
Current assets |
|
|
|
| ||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
| $ | 764,644 |
|
| $ | 886,973 |
|
Short-term investments |
|
| 113,077 |
|
|
| 117,684 |
|
Accounts receivable, net |
|
| 23,113 |
|
|
| 22,067 |
|
Other receivables |
|
| 5,767 |
|
|
| 5,765 |
|
Current portion of loans receivable, net |
|
| 8,890 |
|
|
| 5,460 |
|
Inventory, net |
|
| 37,559 |
|
|
| 32,802 |
|
Prepaids and other current assets |
|
| 7,106 |
|
|
| 8,967 |
|
Total current assets |
|
| 960,156 |
|
|
| 1,079,718 |
|
Equity method investments, net |
|
| 18,755 |
|
|
| 16,764 |
|
Other investments |
|
| 70,993 |
|
|
| 118,392 |
|
Non-current portion of loans receivable, net |
|
| 72,345 |
|
|
| 80,635 |
|
Property, plant and equipment, net |
|
| 60,557 |
|
|
| 74,070 |
|
Right-of-use assets |
|
| 2,273 |
|
|
| 8,882 |
|
Goodwill |
|
| 1,033 |
|
|
| 1,098 |
|
Intangible assets, net |
|
| 26,704 |
|
|
| 18,079 |
|
Other |
|
| 193 |
|
|
| 100 |
|
Total assets |
| $ | 1,213,009 |
|
| $ | 1,397,738 |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Liabilities |
|
|
|
| ||||
Current liabilities |
|
|
|
| ||||
Accounts payable |
| $ | 11,163 |
|
| $ | 11,113 |
|
Income taxes payable |
|
| 32,956 |
|
|
| 105 |
|
Accrued liabilities |
|
| 22,268 |
|
|
| 25,636 |
|
Current portion of lease obligation |
|
| 1,330 |
|
|
| 2,711 |
|
Derivative liabilities |
|
| 15 |
|
|
| 14,375 |
|
Current portion due to non-controlling interests |
|
| 384 |
|
|
| 433 |
|
Total current liabilities |
|
| 68,116 |
|
|
| 54,373 |
|
Non-current portion due to non-controlling interests |
|
| 1,383 |
|
|
| 1,913 |
|
Non-current portion of lease obligation |
|
| 2,546 |
|
|
| 7,095 |
|
Deferred income tax liability |
|
| — |
|
|
| 81 |
|
Total liabilities |
|
| 72,045 |
|
|
| 63,462 |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Shareholders’ equity |
|
|
|
| ||||
Share capital |
|
| 611,318 |
|
|
| 595,497 |
|
Additional paid-in capital |
|
| 42,682 |
|
|
| 32,465 |
|
Retained earnings |
|
| 490,682 |
|
|
| 659,416 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
|
| (797 | ) |
|
| 49,865 |
|
Total equity attributable to shareholders of Cronos Group |
|
| 1,143,885 |
|
|
| 1,337,243 |
|
Non-controlling interests |
|
| (2,921 | ) |
|
| (2,967 | ) |
Total shareholders’ equity |
|
| 1,140,964 |
|
|
| 1,334,276 |
|
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity |
| $ | 1,213,009 |
|
| $ | 1,397,738 |
|
Cronos Group Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Net Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
|
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|
|
| 2022 |
|
|
| 2021 |
|
|
| 2020 |
|
Net revenue, before excise taxes |
| $ | 114,456 |
|
| $ | 89,486 |
|
| $ | 54,353 |
|
Excise taxes |
|
| (22,552 | ) |
|
| (15,051 | ) |
|
| (7,634 | ) |
Net revenue |
|
| 91,904 |
|
|
| 74,435 |
|
|
| 46,719 |
|
Cost of sales |
|
| 79,935 |
|
|
| 80,008 |
|
|
| 46,497 |
|
Inventory write-down |
|
| — |
|
|
| 11,961 |
|
|
| 26,055 |
|
Gross profit |
|
| 11,969 |
|
|
| (17,534 | ) |
|
| (25,833 | ) |
Operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
Sales and marketing |
|
| 22,282 |
|
|
| 44,937 |
|
|
| 34,386 |
|
Research and development |
|
| 13,381 |
|
|
| 23,331 |
|
|
| 20,366 |
|
General and administrative |
|
| 71,178 |
|
|
| 96,482 |
|
|
| 80,569 |
|
Restructuring costs |
|
| 5,333 |
|
|
| — |
|
|
| — |
|
Share-based compensation |
|
| 15,115 |
|
|
| 10,151 |
|
|
| 15,361 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
| 6,025 |
|
|
| 4,484 |
|
|
| 2,872 |
|
Impairment loss on goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets |
|
| — |
|
|
| 236,056 |
|
|
| 40,000 |
|
Impairment loss on long-lived assets |
|
| 3,493 |
|
|
| 127,619 |
|
|
| 0 |
|
Total operating expenses |
|
| 136,807 |
|
|
| 543,060 |
|
|
| 193,554 |
|
Operating loss |
|
| (124,838 | ) |
|
| (560,594 | ) |
|
| (219,387 | ) |
Other income (expense) |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
Interest income, net |
|
| 22,537 |
|
|
| 9,071 |
|
|
| 18,415 |
|
Gain on revaluation of derivative liabilities |
|
| 14,060 |
|
|
| 151,360 |
|
|
| 129,254 |
|
Share of income (loss) from equity method investments |
|
| 3,114 |
|
|
| (6,313 | ) |
|
| (4,510 | ) |
Gain (loss) on revaluation of financial instruments |
|
| 14,739 |
|
|
| 8,611 |
|
|
| (9 | ) |
Impairment loss on other investments |
|
| (61,392 | ) |
|
| — |
|
|
| — |
|
Foreign currency transaction loss |
|
| (2,286 | ) |
|
| — |
|
|
| — |
|
Gain on disposal of other investments |
|
| — |
|
|
| — |
|
|
| 4,789 |
|
Other, net |
|
| (493 | ) |
|
| 730 |
|
|
| (1,825 | ) |
Total other income (expense) |
|
| (9,721 | ) |
|
| 163,459 |
|
|
| 146,114 |
|
Loss before income taxes |
|
| (134,559 | ) |
|
| (397,135 | ) |
|
| (73,273 | ) |
Income tax expense (benefit) |
|
| 34,175 |
|
|
| (431 | ) |
|
| 1,347 |
|
Loss from continuing operations |
|
| (168,734 | ) |
|
| (396,704 | ) |
|
| (74,620 | ) |
Loss from discontinued operations |
|
| — |
|
|
| (500 | ) |
|
| (650 | ) |
Net loss |
|
| (168,734 | ) |
|
| (397,204 | ) |
|
| (75,270 | ) |
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest |
|
| — |
|
|
| (1,097 | ) |
|
| (2,133 | ) |
Net loss attributable to Cronos Group |
| $ | (168,734 | ) |
| $ | (396,107 | ) |
| $ | (73,137 | ) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
Comprehensive income (loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
Net loss |
| $ | (168,734 | ) |
| $ | (397,204 | ) |
| $ | (75,270 | ) |
Foreign exchange gain (loss) on translation |
|
| (50,616 | ) |
|
| 8,192 |
|
|
| 14,951 |
|
Comprehensive loss |
|
| (219,350 | ) |
|
| (389,012 | ) |
|
| (60,319 | ) |
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests |
|
| 46 |
|
|
| 229 |
|
|
| (2,343 | ) |
Comprehensive loss attributable to Cronos Group |
| $ | (219,396 | ) |
| $ | (389,241 | ) |
| $ | (57,976 | ) |
Net loss from continuing operations per share |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
Basic |
| $ | (0.45 | ) |
| $ | (1.07 | ) |
| $ | (0.21 | ) |
Diluted |
| $ | (0.45 | ) |
| $ | (1.07 | ) |
| $ | (0.21 | ) |
Weighted average number of outstanding shares |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
Basic |
|
| 376,961,797 |
|
|
| 370,390,965 |
|
|
| 351,576,848 |
|
Diluted |
|
| 376,961,797 |
|
|
| 370,390,965 |
|
|
| 351,576,848 |
|
|
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||
|
|
| 2022 |
|
|
| 2021 |
|
Net revenue, before excise taxes |
| $ | 29,912 |
|
| $ | 31,394 |
|
Excise taxes |
|
| (7,025 | ) |
|
| (5,599 | ) |
Net revenue |
|
| 22,887 |
|
|
| 25,795 |
|
Cost of sales |
|
| 23,121 |
|
|
| 23,852 |
|
Inventory write-down |
|
| — |
|
|
| — |
|
Gross profit |
|
| (234 | ) |
|
| 1,943 |
|
Operating expenses |
|
|
|
| ||||
Sales and marketing |
|
| 5,765 |
|
|
| 10,653 |
|
Research and development |
|
| 2,471 |
|
|
| 6,557 |
|
General and administrative |
|
| 14,638 |
|
|
| 19,613 |
|
Restructuring costs |
|
| 455 |
|
|
| — |
|
Share-based compensation |
|
| 4,548 |
|
|
| 2,420 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
| 1,608 |
|
|
| 1,455 |
|
Impairment loss on goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets |
|
| — |
|
|
| 1,000 |
|
Impairment loss on long-lived assets |
|
| — |
|
|
| 122,880 |
|
Total operating expenses |
|
| 29,485 |
|
|
| 164,578 |
|
Operating loss |
|
| (29,719 | ) |
|
| (162,635 | ) |
Other income (expense) |
|
|
|
| ||||
Interest income, net |
|
| 9,507 |
|
|
| 2,385 |
|
Gain (loss) on revaluation of derivative liabilities |
|
| (144 | ) |
|
| 20,070 |
|
Share of loss from equity method investments |
|
| (964 | ) |
|
| (2,141 | ) |
Gain (loss) on revaluation of financial instruments |
|
| (4,466 | ) |
|
| 8,463 |
|
Impairment loss on other investments |
|
| (21,182 | ) |
|
| — |
|
Foreign currency transaction gain |
|
| 51 |
|
|
| — |
|
Other, net |
|
| 63 |
|
|
| (306 | ) |
Total other income (expense) |
|
| (17,135 | ) |
|
| 28,471 |
|
Loss before income taxes |
|
| (46,854 | ) |
|
| (134,164 | ) |
Income tax expense (benefit) |
|
| 32,003 |
|
|
| (272 | ) |
Loss from continuing operations |
|
| (78,857 | ) |
|
| (133,892 | ) |
Loss from discontinued operations |
|
| — |
|
|
| — |
|
Net loss |
|
| (78,857 | ) |
|
| (133,892 | ) |
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest |
|
| 27 |
|
|
| (255 | ) |
Net loss attributable to Cronos Group |
| $ | (78,884 | ) |
| $ | (133,637 | ) |
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Comprehensive income (loss) |
|
|
|
| ||||
Net loss |
| $ | (78,857 | ) |
| $ | (133,892 | ) |
Foreign exchange gain on translation |
|
| 18,140 |
|
|
| 1,256 |
|
Comprehensive income |
|
| (60,717 | ) |
|
| (132,636 | ) |
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests |
|
| (16 | ) |
|
| 62 |
|
Comprehensive loss attributable to Cronos Group |
| $ | (60,701 | ) |
| $ | (132,698 | ) |
Net loss from continuing operations per share |
|
|
|
| ||||
Basic |
| $ | (0.21 | ) |
| $ | (0.36 | ) |
Diluted |
| $ | (0.21 | ) |
| $ | (0.36 | ) |
Weighted average number of outstanding shares |
|
|
|
| ||||
Basic |
|
| 378,626,176 |
|
|
| 374,227,930 |
|
Diluted |
|
| 378,626,176 |
|
|
| 374,227,930 |
|
Cronos Group Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
|
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|
|
| 2022 |
|
|
| 2021 |
|
|
| 2020 |
|
Operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
Net loss |
| $ | (168,734 | ) |
| $ | (397,204 | ) |
| $ | (75,270 | ) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
Share-based compensation |
|
| 15,115 |
|
|
| 10,151 |
|
|
| 15,361 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
| 13,122 |
|
|
| 15,402 |
|
|
| 7,045 |
|
Impairment loss on goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets |
|
| — |
|
|
| 236,056 |
|
|
| 40,000 |
|
Impairment loss on long-lived assets |
|
| 3,493 |
|
|
| 127,619 |
|
|
| — |
|
Impairment loss on other investments |
|
| 61,392 |
|
|
| — |
|
|
| — |
|
(Income) loss from investments |
|
| (17,853 | ) |
|
| (1,974 | ) |
|
| 4,510 |
|
Gain on revaluation of derivative liabilities |
|
| (14,060 | ) |
|
| (151,360 | ) |
|
| (129,254 | ) |
Changes in expected credit losses on long-term financial assets |
|
| (662 | ) |
|
| 12,202 |
|
|
| 2,437 |
|
Gain on disposal of investments |
|
| — |
|
|
| — |
|
|
| (4,789 | ) |
Non-cash sales and marketing |
|
| 341 |
|
|
| 1,383 |
|
|
| 2,863 |
|
Foreign currency transaction loss |
|
| 2,286 |
|
|
| — |
|
|
| — |
|
Other non-cash operating activities, net |
|
| (4,051 | ) |
|
| (3,886 | ) |
|
| (123 | ) |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
Accounts receivable, net |
|
| (2,711 | ) |
|
| (13,163 | ) |
|
| (4,724 | ) |
Other receivables |
|
| (833 | ) |
|
| 3,838 |
|
|
| (5,300 | ) |
Prepaids and other current assets |
|
| 996 |
|
|
| 3,102 |
|
|
| — |
|
