SNDL (NASDAQ:SNDL) reported record quarterly free cash flow and a return to positive adjusted operating income in the third quarter of 2026, while recording a substantial goodwill impairment and continuing to address underperformance in its Cannabis Operations segment.
The company generated free cash flow of CAD 20 million during the quarter ended Sept. 30, up 19.5% from CAD 16.7 million a year earlier. Chief Financial Officer Alberto Paredero-Quiros said the result included a CAD 10.6 million benefit from the initial unwinding of SNDL’s captive insurance arrangement. The company expects a second and final CAD 8 million cash inflow from that process in the fourth quarter.
Adjusted operating income was CAD 5.2 million, compared with an adjusted operating loss of CAD 9.5 million in the prior-year quarter. The improvement reflected lower corporate expenses and stronger investment results, which more than offset weaker performance in Cannabis Operations and Liquor Retail.
However, SNDL reported an operating loss of CAD 48.3 million, primarily due to a CAD 52 million non-cash goodwill impairment associated with Cannabis Operations.
Revenue and margins
Third-quarter net revenue totaled CAD 238 million, down CAD 6.2 million, or 2.5%, from the previous year. Gross profit declined 9.8% to CAD 57.9 million, while consolidated gross margin fell two percentage points to 24.3%.
Management said record gross margins in the company’s Cannabis Retail and Liquor Retail businesses were outweighed by weak results in Cannabis Operations.
- Liquor Retail: Net revenue fell 3.3% to CAD 134.8 million as same-store sales declined 6% amid softer market demand. Three Wine and Beyond store openings over the past 12 months and private-label sales growth partially offset the decline. Gross margin increased 70 basis points to a record 27.0%, supported by pricing, product mix management and procurement productivity.
- Cannabis Retail: Net revenue rose 0.7% to a quarterly record CAD 85.6 million. New store openings and Value Buds conversions more than offset a 3.8% same-store-sales decline attributed to market contraction in Alberta and Ontario. Gross margin rose 60 basis points to a record 27.0%, aided by promotional and product-mix efficiencies and increased data revenue.
- Cannabis Operations: Net revenue declined 27.7% to CAD 27 million, largely because the company exited the unprofitable domestic dried-flower category. The segment posted negative gross profit of CAD 1.6 million and an adjusted operating loss of CAD 11.4 million, compared with a CAD 10.2 million loss a year earlier.
Cannabis Operations review and cost actions
Chief Executive Officer Zach George said SNDL is simplifying its Cannabis Operations portfolio, reducing costs and concentrating resources on higher-value product categories. The company has initiated a strategic review of the segment that could include asset divestitures and additional productivity measures.
Paredero-Quiros said the company reduced its workforce by more than 30% at its Kelowna facility and expects the financial benefits of those actions to begin contributing in the fourth quarter.
During the question-and-answer session, George said SNDL exited domestic dried flower because its indoor production model was not well positioned to compete with lower-cost producers operating large hybrid greenhouse facilities. He said the company intends to focus on branded-product distribution, edibles, beverages and licensing relationships, and does not expect the flower exit to affect sales in other categories.
The company also said it expects to receive EU GMP certification for its Atholville facility shortly after successfully passing an audit. George said the certification could eliminate the need to rely on third-party processors, which can cost between CAD 0.20 and CAD 0.45 per gram, while facility upgrades are expected to improve quality and yields for international markets.
Capital returns and U.S. investments
SNDL repurchased 5.4 million common shares for CAD 10 million during the quarter, excluding commissions, at a weighted-average price of CAD 1.31 per share. Including purchases through an October measurement date, the company said it had repurchased 34 million shares since the fourth quarter of 2024 for CAD 73.5 million, reducing shares outstanding by about 8%.
The company also announced its intention to pursue a potential substantial issuer bid of up to CAD 50 million, subject to approvals and documentation, at a price per share not exceeding CAD 1.35.
In the U.S., SNDL increased its indirect equity ownership in Parallel from about 67% to approximately 92% through participation in Parallel’s rights offering following its July restructuring. SNDL also funded SunStream investments supporting a new cultivation facility in Gainesville, Florida, and said SunStream increased its ownership of Parallel takeback debt from 39.4% to 69.4% after acquiring additional debt at 75% of face value.
George said Parallel operates 56 retail locations and three manufacturing and cultivation sites across Florida, Texas and Massachusetts, with approximately 800 employees and about CAD 150 million in net revenue. SNDL is evaluating paths toward direct ownership and financial consolidation of Parallel’s medical cannabis business.
Ontario franchise matter
SNDL said it is progressing toward a resolution of longstanding regulatory matters involving the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. Subject to definitive documentation and a CAD 200,000 monetary penalty, the arrangement is expected to normalize franchise operations and include approximately CAD 30 million of third-party secured financing to repay existing SNDL debt.
Under the contemplated arrangement, Ontario franchise operations would shift to a modified franchise structure in which SNDL provides administrative services only. The operations would then be deconsolidated from SNDL’s financial statements, reducing reported net revenue by approximately CAD 105 million based on trailing 12-month figures, while reducing operating income by approximately CAD 2 million.
About SNDL (NASDAQ:SNDL)
SNDL Inc is a Canada-based cannabis and liquor company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. Formerly known as Sundial Growers Inc, the company began as a licensed cannabis producer and has expanded into cannabis cultivation, processing, branded product sales and retail operations.
SNDL offers cannabis products through brands that have included Sundial, Top Leaf, Palmetto and Value Buds. Its cannabis business serves the Canadian adult-use and medical markets through provincial distribution systems and company-operated or affiliated retail locations.
