Why the Cronos Group Stock Price Fell 18.3% in February

Cronos Group stock price tumbles on delay of earnings results due to accounting review, placing revenue growth into question.

| More on:
Question marks in a pile

Image source: Getty Images

The Cronos Group Inc. (TSX:CRON)(NASDAQ:CRON) stock price fell 18.3% in February. The market continues to fall and company-specific uncertainty remains high. This is making any prediction for the Cronos Group stock price very uncertain and precarious.

Fears of the potential severity of the coronavirus have ruled the market since February. This certainly continues today. As I write this article, I am struck by the downside that we are seeing. Cronos Group must deal not only with this, but also with sector and company-specific problems.  Let’s take a closer look.

Cronos Group stock price falls on results release delay

Cronos Group took the unusual move of delaying the release of its fourth-quarter and year-end 2019 results. Obviously, this took the stock down hard in February. We can only imagine what bad news awaits us from Cronos Group.

The earnings release was initially scheduled for February 27.  But a few days before this date, the company notified investors that there was a delay in the completion of financial statements. A few days later, the company filed a form 12b-25 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This effectively provides the company with a 15-day extension of the filing due date. At this point, we are just waiting for this dreaded release.

Accounting review uncertainty to continue to take Cronos stock price down

The issue here is quite alarming. In the company’s SEC filing to delay the release, we got somewhat of an explanation. The accounting review is a review “of several bulk resin purchases and sales of products through the wholesale channel”. “The appropriateness of the recognition of revenue from those transactions” is being questioned. This effectively places past as well as future revenue growth into question.

The accounting issue also compounds the already existing problems in the cannabis sector. Problems such as a troubled legalization process in Canada and an oversupply of cannabis have taken a toll. A general bubble-like mentality in cannabis stock prices have already wreaked havoc on the sector.

On the positive side, Cronos Group remains well supported by its partnership with tobacco giant Altria Group Inc. This partnership has given Cronos Group greater financial capacity as well as leading technology and research and development capabilities. This partnership brings benefits to Cronos in distribution, capacity, brand development, and intellectual property.

Financially, Cronos Group reported revenue of $12.7 million in its latest released quarter (Q3 2019). This represents a 24% increase versus the prior quarter and a 238% increase versus the prior year. Cronos Group had $2 billion in cash as of the third quarter, and a cash burn of $100 million. Cronos stock price valuation remains problematic, at 77 times sales.

Going forward, this accounting review has placed a serious amount of uncertainty on the future of Cronos Group stock price. This, at a time when market uncertainty continues to escalate to near unprecedented levels.

Foolish bottom line

Cronos Group stock price suffered in February due to a combination of both macro factors, and sector and company-specific factors. The stock continues to be very richly valued. With revenue growth being put into question, the risk to the stock price remains high.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Karen Thomas has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

More on Cannabis Stocks

Cannabis grows at a commercial farm.
Cannabis Stocks

Why Canopy Growth Stock Could Double in 2024

Canopy Growth (TSX:WEED) stock saw its share more than double in the last two weeks. So, can it do it…

Read more »

Coworkers standing near a wall
Cannabis Stocks

Why Is Everyone Talking About Canopy Growth Stock?

Canopy Growth stock (TSX:WEED) saw shares surge in the last two weeks for a variety of reasons investors can dig…

Read more »

Pot stocks are a riskier investment
Stocks for Beginners

Why Shares of Cannabis Stocks Are Rising This Week

Cannabis stocks received a boost this week as the White House urged the drug enforcement administration to reschedule the drug.

Read more »

A person holds a small glass jar of marijuana.
Stocks for Beginners

Why Canopy Growth Stock Jumped 16% on Wednesday

Canopy Growth stock (TSX:WEED) is up 16% on Wednesday, adding to a surge of 60% growth in the last week…

Read more »

Pot stocks are a riskier investment
Cannabis Stocks

Is the Worst Over for Canopy Growth Stock?

Down 99% from all-time highs Canopy Growth stock has burnt investor wealth and remains a high-risk investment.

Read more »

Pot stocks are a riskier investment
Cannabis Stocks

Steer Clear: This Stock Spells Trouble

A newly listed cannabis stock is outperforming in 2024 but investors should stay clear to avoid trouble and losses.

Read more »

Cannabis stocks have fallen.
Cannabis Stocks

2 Best Marijuana Stocks to Buy This Month

Marijuana stocks in the U.S. such as Green Thumb and Curaleaf can help you deliver outsized gains to investors in…

Read more »

A cannabis plant grows.
Cannabis Stocks

Can Aurora Cannabis Stock Recover in 2024?

Aurora Cannabis stock is down 99% from all-time highs but remains a high-risk bet, despite its cheap valuation.

Read more »