AWH Reports Third Quarter 2026 Financial Results
Net revenue grew 4.2% year-over-year and 3.1% sequentially to $130.0 million in Q3 2026
Generated Adjusted EBITDA1 of $31.1 million and Adjusted EBITDA Margin1 of 23.9%, as revenue growth drove operating leverage
Ended Q3 with 56 stores and has since exceeded year-end target of 60, with 61 locations now open2
Positive cash flow from operations of $5.4 million, after the $19.1 million semi-annual interest payment
Q3 2026 Financial Highlights
- Net revenue was
$130.0 million compared to$126.1 million in the second quarter of 2026 ("Q2 2026"), an increase of 3.1% sequentially and 4.2% year-over-year.- Retail revenue was
$97.8 million compared to$92.7 million in Q2 2026, an increase of 5.5% sequentially, and represented 75.2% of total net revenue, up from 73.5%. - Wholesale revenue was
$32.2 million compared to$33.4 million in Q2 2026.
- Retail revenue was
- Adjusted Gross Profit Margin1 of 48.4% of revenue compared to 46.2% in Q2 2026.
- Adjusted EBITDA1 was
$31.1 million compared to$29.1 million in Q2 2026, representing an Adjusted EBITDA Margin1 of 23.9%. - Net cash provided by operating activities was
$5.4 million , inclusive of the Company's $19.1 million semi-annual interest payment, compared to net cash used in operating activities of $2.0 million in the third quarter of 2025 ("Q3 2025"). - Cash and cash equivalents of
$63.6 million as ofSeptember 30, 2026 .
Q3 2026 Business and Operational Highlights
- Reached 56 retail stores in Q3 2026, including partner owned and operated locations.
- Increased total retail transactions by 6.0% sequentially and 14.9% year-over-year to approximately 1.7 million, the most of any quarter in the Company's history.
- Transactions across the Company's
New Jersey locations, including partners, increased 18% sequentially and 37% year-over-year.
- Transactions across the Company's
- Maintained its position as the number two brand house by both sales and units across the Company's core markets of
Illinois ,New Jersey , andMassachusetts , on a combined basis, according to BDSA3. -
- Ozone held the number three position in dollar share and number one in units across those markets, and the Company's share in
New Jersey increased approximately 14% sequentially.
- Ozone held the number three position in dollar share and number one in units across those markets, and the Company's share in
- Launched 103 new products in Q3 2026, including the new Ozone Signature premium flower lineup.
- Drove new customer growth and deepened engagement across the Company's network:
- New customer traffic increased 19% sequentially across retail footprint;
- Loyalty members accounted for more than 86% of transactions during the quarter, and approximately 32% of new customers enrolled in Ascend's loyalty program; and
- Pay by bank adoption (Ascend Pay) reached 11.4% of transactions in Q3 2026.
- Received stockholder approval for a reverse stock split of the Company's Class A common shares. This approval, voted on at a special meeting on
August 28, 2026 , gives the Company's board of directors flexibility to set the ratio and timing of the split. The Company intends to use it to support a potential listing on a majorU.S . exchange, subject to regulatory developments, including broader cannabis rescheduling.
Recent Developments
- Opened five new dispensaries across core markets, including partner owned and operated locations, bringing the total retail footprint to 61 stores and exceeding the year-end target of 60 ahead of schedule. New openings include:
- Ascend of
Evesham inMarlton, New Jersey , which the Company owns and operates with a social equity partner. Two additional partner stores in the Company'sNew Jersey pipeline are expected to open in early 2027, subject to regulatory timing. - Ascend
Lewis Center, Ohio , the Company's seventh store in the state. - A partner-owned and operated dispensary opened in
Plano, Illinois in November, bringing the Company's retail footprint in the state to 17 locations, including partners. - Two dispensaries in
Worcester andShrewsbury, Massachusetts , which the Company began operating in October under a consulting agreement pending regulatory approval to close the acquisition. Upon closing, Ascend will gain a vertically integrated medical license, which it expects to extend to all of itsMassachusetts stores and itsAthol cultivation facility, allowing each of its stores in the state to serve medical patients.
- Ascend of
- Expanded retail footprint from 39 to 61 stores2 since
August 2024 , a net increase of approximately 60% in just over two years, driven by the Company's retail densification strategy. - Debuted Effin' Tabs, a line of precision-dosed THC tablets and a new format for the brand, in
New Jersey ,Massachusetts , andIllinois . - Closed
$11 million in non-dilutive mortgage loans withCF Bank , secured by five Company-owned properties inIllinois ,Maryland , andMassachusetts . The loans carry an 8.5% annual interest rate and mature inOctober 2031 , and the Company intends to use the proceeds to support retail expansion and pursue accretive acquisition opportunities. - Entered into a capital-light brand licensing agreement with Atlantic Cultivation, a Canadian craft cannabis producer. Through this arrangement, select products from two of the Company's flagship brands, High Wired infused pre-rolls and Ozone Liquid Diamonds vapes, are expected to reach Canadian shelves in the first quarter of 2027.
Management Commentary
"Our growth strategy continues to drive results across the business, and that momentum carried through a strong third quarter as we delivered on the goals we set," said
"Scale and profitability are moving together, and our focus on cash discipline is showing up in the results," said
Q3 2026 Financial Overview
Net revenue totaled
Retail revenue, including new store and partner contributions, was
Third-party wholesale revenue was
Q3 2026 gross profit was
Net loss for Q3 2026 was
Adjusted EBITDA1 was
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
As of
Outlook
For the fourth quarter of 2026, the Company anticipates a 1 to 2% increase in revenue and Adjusted EBITDA Margin1 is expected to be consistent with Q3 2026.
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(1) |
Measure is a non-GAAP financial measure. Please see "Non-GAAP Financial Information and Definitions" below and "Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited)" at the end of this press release. |
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(2) |
Includes both Company owned and partner owned and operated locations, as of |
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(3) |
Source: BDSA, reflecting AWH's share across |
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(4) |
Net Debt is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as total debt, net of unamortized deferred financing costs of |
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(5) |
Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as cash flows from operating activities of |
Earnings Conference Call
The Company will hold a conference call today, Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET, to discuss its Q3 2026 results.
The call can be accessed by dialing 1-888-699-1199, and a live audio webcast will be available at this link. The webcast will also be archived for replay via the Investor Relations section of the AWH website at https://investors.awholdings.com. A telephone replay will be available by calling 1-888-660-6345 with replay code 05012 until
About Ascend Wellness Holdings, Inc.
AWH is a vertically integrated cannabis operator with assets in Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. AWH owns and operates state-of-the-art cultivation facilities, growing award-winning strains and producing a curated selection of products for retail and wholesale customers. AWH produces and distributes its in-house Ozone, Simply Herb, High Wired, Honor Roll, Royale, and Effin' branded products. For more information about AWH, visit www.awholdings.com.
Additional information relating to the Company's Q3 2026 results can be found on the Investor Relations section of AWH's website at https://investors.awholdings.com, the SEC's Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system ("EDGAR") at www.sec.gov and Canada's System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval Plus ("SEDAR+") at www.sedarplus.ca.
Non-GAAP Financial Information and Definitions
This press release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures as defined by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP are included in the financial schedules attached to this press release or in other information contained herein. This information should be considered as supplemental in nature and not as a substitute for, or superior to, any measure of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Adjusted EBITDA/Margin and Adjusted Gross Profit/Margin are non-GAAP financial measures. Please see "Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited)" at the end of this release.
We define Net Debt as total debt, net of unamortized deferred financing costs, less cash and cash equivalents, which components are disclosed in the Company's Selected Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Information (Unaudited) included in the financial schedules attached to this press release under the captions "Current portion of debt, net," "Long-term debt, net," and "Cash and cash equivalents." We believe this measure is an important indicator of the Company's ability to service its long-term debt obligations. This non-GAAP financial measure should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures as an indicator of operating performance or liquidity and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures provided by other companies.
We define Free Cash Flow as "Net cash provided by operating activities" net of "Additions to capital assets" which are disclosed in the Company's Selected Condensed Consolidated Cash Flow Information (unaudited) included in the financial schedules attached to this press release, adjusted for spending related to new store builds. We use Free Cash Flow measures, among other measures, to evaluate the Company's liquidity and its ability to generate cash flow. We believe that this is a meaningful financial measure to investors because it provides a view of the Company's liquidity after deducting capital expenditures, which are considered to be a necessary component of ongoing operations. This non-GAAP financial measure should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, net cash provided by operating activities and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures provided by other companies.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable U.S. and Canadian securities laws, which may include, but are not limited to, the plans, intentions, expectations, estimates, and beliefs of the Company. Words such as "expects", "continue(s)", "may", "will", "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "plans", "projects", "outlook", "guidance", and "intends" or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the preceding statement, all statements in this press release relating to estimated and projected revenue, expectations regarding production capacity, anticipated capital expenditures, expansion, profit, product demand, margins, costs, cash flows, sources of capital, growth rates, potential acquisitions, closing dates for transactions, regulatory approvals, future facility openings, and future financial and operating results are forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements in this press release also include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's outlook for the fourth quarter of 2026 and anticipated full-year 2026 capital expenditures, the anticipated timing and outcome of the DEA's adult-use cannabis rescheduling proceeding and related federal hemp redefinition, the Company's DEA registration applications, the timing and implementation of the reverse stock split and planned uplisting to a major U.S. exchange, the anticipated closing of the Company's pending acquisition in Massachusetts and related regulatory approvals, anticipated store openings in the Company's New Jersey pipeline, the anticipated timing and markets of the Company's Canadian brand licensing arrangement, and the potential impact of the foregoing on the Company's operations and tax positions (including under Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code).
We caution investors that any such forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current projections and expectations about future events and financial trends, the receipt of all required regulatory and stockholder approvals, and on certain assumptions, estimates, and analysis made by the Company in light of the experience of the Company and its perception of historical trends, current conditions, and expected future developments and other factors that management believes are appropriate, including, with respect to statements regarding rescheduling and uplisting, assumptions about the timing and final form of any such developments.
Forward-looking statements involve and are subject to assumptions and known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual events, results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future events, results, performance, and achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements herein. Such factors include, without limitation, the risks and uncertainties identified in the Company's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated in subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as applicable, and in the Company's other reports and filings with the applicable Canadian securities administrators on its profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and the SEC on its profile on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Although the Company believes that any forward-looking statements herein are reasonable, in light of the use of assumptions and the significant risks and uncertainties inherent in such statements, there can be no assurance that any such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and accordingly readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such risks and uncertainties and should not place undue reliance upon such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements herein are made as of the date hereof, and except as required by applicable laws, the Company assumes no obligation and disclaims any intention to update or revise any forward-looking statements herein or to update the reasons that actual events or results could or do differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws. No securities regulator nor the Canadian Securities Exchange has reviewed, approved, or disapproved the content of this press release.
ASCEND WELLNESS HOLDINGS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
Nine Months Ended |
||||
|
(in thousands, except per share amounts) |
2026 |
|
2025 |
|
2026 |
|
2025 |
|
Revenue, net |
$ 130,019 |
|
$ 124,734 |
|
$ 373,070 |
|
$ 380,035 |
|
Cost of goods sold |
(76,930) |
|
(81,133) |
|
(229,608) |
|
(255,481) |
|
Gross profit |
53,089 |
|
43,601 |
|
143,462 |
|
124,554 |
|
Operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General and administrative expenses |
48,589 |
|
44,926 |
|
131,136 |
|
124,395 |
|
Operating profit (loss) |
4,500 |
|
(1,325) |
|
12,326 |
|
159 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other (expense) income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense |
(21,977) |
|
(12,562) |
|
(63,031) |
|
(35,810) |
|
Other income, net |
59 |
|
341 |
|
174 |
|
1,302 |
|
Total other expense, net |
(21,918) |
|
(12,221) |
|
(62,857) |
|
(34,508) |
|
Loss before income taxes |
(17,418) |
|
(13,546) |
|
(50,531) |
|
(34,349) |
|
Income tax expense |
(10,533) |
|
(12,279) |
|
(16,719) |
|
(35,141) |
|
Net loss |
$ (27,951) |
|
$ (25,825) |
|
$ (67,250) |
|
$ (69,490) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss per share attributable to Class A |
$ (0.14) |
|
$ (0.13) |
|
$ (0.33) |
|
$ (0.34) |
|
Weighted-average common shares |
203,234 |
|
202,970 |
|
202,897 |
|
203,943 |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
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|
Three Months Ended |
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Nine Months Ended |
||||
|
(in thousands) |
2026 |
|
2025 |
|
2026 |
|
2025 |
|
Net cash provided by (used in) operating |
$ 5,429 |
|
$ (2,003) |
|
$ 8,469 |
|
$ 21,737 |
|
Cash flows from investing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additions to capital assets |
(4,791) |
|
(6,449) |
|
(15,749) |
|
(19,115) |
|
Investments in notes receivable |
— |
|
(285) |
|
— |
|
(285) |
|
Proceeds from collection of notes receivable |
— |
|
4,181 |
|
3,027 |
|
4,345 |
|
Proceeds from sale of assets |
— |
|
— |
|
1,000 |
|
27 |
|
Payments for acquisition of businesses and |
(2,470) |
|
(5,984) |
|
(11,230) |
|
(9,445) |
|
Purchase of intangible assets |
(1,300) |
|
(4,000) |
|
(3,450) |
|
(4,500) |
|
Net cash used in investing activities |
(8,561) |
|
(12,537) |
|
(26,402) |
|
(28,973) |
|
Cash flows from financing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from issuance of debt |
— |
|
9,345 |
|
— |
|
72,412 |
|
Repayments of debt |
(45) |
|
(1,627) |
|
(137) |
|
(61,962) |
|
Debt issuance costs |
— |
|
(102) |
|
— |
|
(462) |
|
Repayments under finance leases |
(211) |
|
(548) |
|
(730) |
|
(1,395) |
|
Taxes withheld under equity-based |
— |
|
— |
|
(346) |
|
— |
|
Repurchase of common stock |
— |
|
(586) |
|
— |
|
(1,580) |
|
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options |
13 |
|
60 |
|
40 |
|
60 |
|
Payment of contingent consideration |
— |
|
— |
|
(2,945) |
|
(819) |
|
Net cash (used in) provided by financing |
(243) |
|
6,542 |
|
(4,118) |
|
6,254 |
|
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and |
(3,375) |
|
(7,998) |
|
(22,051) |
|
(982) |
|
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted |
67,000 |
|
95,270 |
|
85,676 |
|
88,254 |
|
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted |
$ 63,625 |
|
$ 87,272 |
|
$ 63,625 |
|
$ 87,272 |
SELECTED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
|
(in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ 63,625 |
|
$ 85,676 |
|
Inventory |
82,794 |
|
84,707 |
|
Other current assets |
34,772 |
|
38,566 |
|
Property and equipment, net |
376,015 |
|
382,402 |
|
Operating lease right-of-use assets |
47,851 |
|
47,063 |
|
Intangible assets, net |
191,456 |
|
196,072 |
|
|
71,129 |
|
58,453 |
|
Other non-current assets |
12,157 |
|
14,990 |
|
Total Assets |
$ 879,799 |
|
$ 907,929 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current portion of debt, net |
$ 29,336 |
|
$ 10,368 |
|
Other current liabilities |
86,978 |
|
98,641 |
|
Long-term debt, net |
294,723 |
|
291,104 |
|
Operating lease liabilities, non-current |
61,065 |
|
60,546 |
|
Finance lease liabilities and other lease financing liabilities, non- |
269,778 |
|
261,913 |
|
Other non-current liabilities |
250,327 |
|
231,974 |
|
Total stockholders' deficit |
(112,408) |
|
(46,617) |
|
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Deficit |
$ 879,799 |
|
$ 907,929 |
RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED)
We define "Adjusted Gross Profit" as gross profit excluding non-cash inventory costs, which include depreciation and amortization included in cost of goods sold, equity-based compensation included in cost of goods sold, and other non-cash inventory adjustments. We define "Adjusted Gross Profit Margin" as Adjusted Gross Profit as a percentage of net revenue. Our "Adjusted EBITDA" is a non-GAAP measure used by management that is not defined by GAAP and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. We define "Adjusted EBITDA Margin" as Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue. Management calculates Adjusted EBITDA as the reported net loss, adjusted to exclude: income tax expense, other (income) expense, interest expense, depreciation and amortization, depreciation and amortization included in cost of goods sold, non-cash inventory adjustments, equity-based compensation, equity-based compensation included in cost of goods sold, start-up costs, start-up costs included in cost of goods sold, transaction-related and other non-recurring expenses, gain or loss on sale of assets, and litigation settlement, as applicable. Accordingly, management believes that Adjusted EBITDA provides meaningful and useful financial information, as this measure demonstrates the operating performance of the business. The tables below provide reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the most comparable
The following table presents Adjusted Gross Profit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025:
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
Nine Months Ended |
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|
($ in thousands) |
2026 |
|
2025 |
|
2026 |
|
2025 |
|
Gross Profit |
$ 53,089 |
|
$ 43,601 |
|
$ 143,462 |
|
$ 124,554 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
9,237 |
|
6,928 |
|
27,837 |
|
25,209 |
|
Equity-based compensation included |
335 |
|
329 |
|
1,370 |
|
1,631 |
|
Non-cash inventory adjustments(1) |
219 |
|
6,967 |
|
2,429 |
|
13,883 |
|
Adjusted Gross Profit |
$ 62,880 |
|
$ 57,825 |
|
$ 175,098 |
|
$ 165,277 |
|
Adjusted Gross Profit Margin |
48.4 % |
|
46.4 % |
|
46.9 % |
|
43.5 % |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Consists of write-offs of expired products, obsolete packaging, and net realizable value adjustments related to certain inventory items. |
RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED)
The following table presents Adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine months ended
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
Nine Months Ended |
||||
|
($ in thousands) |
2026 |
|
2025 |
|
2026 |
|
2025 |
|
Net loss |
$ (27,951) |
|
$ (25,825) |
|
$ (67,250) |
|
$ (69,490) |
|
Income tax expense |
10,533 |
|
12,279 |
|
16,719 |
|
35,141 |
|
Other income, net |
(59) |
|
(341) |
|
(174) |
|
(1,302) |
|
Interest expense |
21,977 |
|
12,562 |
|
63,031 |
|
35,810 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
20,206 |
|
16,771 |
|
59,540 |
|
53,001 |
|
Non-cash inventory adjustments(1) |
219 |
|
6,967 |
|
2,429 |
|
13,883 |
|
Equity-based compensation |
659 |
|
806 |
|
1,985 |
|
2,610 |
|
Start-up costs(2) |
3,543 |
|
4,092 |
|
9,987 |
|
8,708 |
|
Transaction-related and other non- |
2,012 |
|
3,783 |
|
438 |
|
8,251 |
|
(Gain) loss on sale of assets |
— |
|
— |
|
(137) |
|
55 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ 31,139 |
|
$ 31,094 |
|
$ 86,568 |
|
$ 86,667 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA Margin |
23.9 % |
|
24.9 % |
|
23.2 % |
|
22.8 % |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Consists of write-offs of expired products, obsolete packaging, and net realizable value adjustments related to certain inventory items. |
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(2) |
One-time costs associated with acquiring real estate, obtaining licenses and permits, and other costs incurred before commencement of operations at certain locations, as well as incremental expenses associated with the expansion of activities at our cultivation facilities that are not yet operating at scale, other expenses resulting from delays in regulatory approvals, and other related one-time or non-recurring expenses, as applicable. The three and nine months ended |
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(3) |
Other non-recurring expenses including legal and professional fees associated with litigation matters, potential acquisitions, other regulatory matters, and other reserves or one-time expenses, including certain non-recurring professional fees associated with certain strategic initiatives. The three and nine months ended |
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SOURCE
Company Contact: Frank Perullo, Founder, President & Director, IR@awholdings.com, (646) 661-7600; Investor Relations & Media Inquiries: MATTIO Communications, AWH@mattio.com