StaffVerano Holdings Corp. (CSE: VRNO) (OTCQX: VRNOF) announced its 2021 financial results with fourth-quarter 2021 revenue of $211 million and a net income of $27 million, or 19% of revenue. this was also Verano‘s first quarter to implement U.S. accounting standards called GAAP and audited in accordance with U.S. PCAOB.
For the full year of 2021, revenue increased by 223% to $738 million versus 2020. the company said that on a proforma basis, revenue increased to $760 million, up by 233% compared to 2020. The net loss for the year was $15 million, compared to a net income of $38 million in 2020, driven primarily from depreciation and amortization of acquisitions and expansion capex.
“2021 was a transformational year for Verano, our first as a public company. I am very proud of what we accomplished and remain confident in our ability to build upon this strong foundation to achieve long-term, sustainable growth,” said George Archos, Verano Founder and Chief Executive Officer. “Growth across all our key financial metrics was driven organically, from our core operations and by accretive acquisitions we made throughout the year. We have always focused on driving profitability, which we believe sets us apart in the industry. I was pleased to report results in line with guidance by maintaining our signature, industry-leading margin profile for 2021.”
Verano now has active operations spanning 13 states, consisting of 96 dispensaries and 13 cultivation and processing facilities, with more than one million square feet of cultivation capacity. The company has also entered into a deal to buy Goodness Growth Holdings in order to establish a strong foundation in the attractive markets of New York, Minnesota, and New Mexico upon closing the proposed transaction.
Mr. Archos added, “We significantly increased our national retail and cultivation footprint in 2021 and to date in 2022, with current operations in 13 states, including 96 retail stores and a cultivation footprint exceeding one million square feet. In addition to our expanded operations in Pennsylvania, Nevada and Florida – all of which rank within the top 10 largest cannabis markets in the nation – our Connecticut acquisitions exemplify one of Verano’s core strategies of entering markets that are primed for adult-use transition, allowing us to capture imminent growth. This strategy came to life most recently in New Jersey, where we welcomed Governor Phil Murphy at our Zen Leaf Elizabeth dispensary last week to mark the historic launch of adult-use sales in the Garden State, a day for which we were preparing for nearly a year. We built our operations in New Jersey with legalization of adult-use sales in mind, and we have more than adequate supply to support ongoing strong demand that continues to surpass expectations. Finally, upon closing, our transformational acquisition of Goodness Growth will strengthen Verano’s position as one of the country’s top multi-state operators by footprint in key markets, including New York and Minnesota, while positioning the Company to continue delivering industry leading profitability.”
As of December 31, 2021, Verano said its current assets were $274 million, including cash and cash equivalents of $99 million. The company had working capital of ($196) million and total debt, not including lease liabilities and net of issuance costs, of $290 million.
