Earnings preview Q4: Amyris likely to benefit from the new cannabinoid deal

Renewables product company Amyris (AMRS) is set to report its fourth quarter and full-year 2018 results on Monday, March 18 after the market closes. Analysts expect the company to report earnings of $0.44 per share on revenue of $98.52 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2018. On Friday, Amyris shares, which opened at $4.16 in the morning, closed down 5.3% at $3.93.

In the fourth quarter of 2017, the company reported GAAP loss of $0.17 per share and non-GAAP loss of $0.61 per share on revenue of $80.6 million. Amyris had projected 2018 revenue to be in the range of $185 million to $195 million.

Check out Amyris’ previous quarter earnings calls audios here

For the third quarter ended September 30, 2018, non-GAAP loss per share stood at 63 cents and GAAP loss per share was $1.67 on revenue of $14.9 million.

The Emeryville, California-based firm’s recent cannabis deal that is valued up to $255 million with a confidential partner is expected to boost the company’s bottom and top-line numbers. A final definitive agreement is expected by the end of March with commercialization of products expected within the next 18-24 months assuming appropriate regulatory approvals. Amyris stock surged 73% on this deal announcement.

The undisclosed partner is estimated to provide initially lab-based and later commercial scale milestone cash payments in tranches for the development and scaling of technology to produce CBD. In return, the partner will be granted a license to commercialize these products.

The recent boom in the US cannabis market is expected to positively impact Amyris’ performance in the future.

At December-end, Amyris signed a long-term agreement with Xinfu of China for a significant initial payment and a long-term minimum annual share of an existing nutritional product royalty arrangement. The company also received FDA’s acceptance for its zero-calorie sweetner in December 2018.

Canada-based marijuana giant Tilray (TLRY) is also expected to publish its quarterly earnings results on Monday after the market close.

Amyris stock had gained 18% so far this year, while it declined 4% in the past three months period.

Listen to on-demand earnings calls and hear how management responds to analysts’ questions