FLUENT Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Results

TAMPA, Fla., April 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FLUENT Corp. (CSE: FNT.U) (OTCQB: CNTMF) ("FLUENT" or the "Company"), a vertically-integrated, multi-state cannabis company, today announced its financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025. Unless otherwise indicated, all financial results are presented in U.S. dollars. Management Commentary “Our fourth quarter reflected continued progress on our strategic priorities, with a strong focus on cost optimization and simplifying our operations. In Florida, our Rosa cultivation facility delivered increased output and improved quality, helping to rebalance production across our cultivation footprint. We anticipate that these actions will drive lower cost of goods sold while positioning us to expand our premium product offerings. While we remain focused on disciplined execution in the near term, we will continue to take steps to reduce costs and streamline operations.” Dave Vautrin, Interim CEO, Fluent Q4 2025 Financial Highlights (vs. Q4 2024) Revenue from continuing operations was $18.6 million compared to $21.1 million. Florida revenue was $15.1 million compared to $20.3 million. Gross profit before fair value adjustments1 from continuing operations was $2.1 million or 11.2% of revenue from continuing operations, compared to $8.6 million or 40.7% of revenue from continuing operations. Adjusted EBITDA2 was $3.2 million compared to $7.4 million, mainly driven by lower revenue and margins, compounded by increased operating costs in New York prior to revenue realization from production generated from the Company’s Buffalo facility. Cash flow used in operations was $1.6 million compared to $14.7 million. The Company reported an impairment expense of $36.9 million, compared to $64.3 million. The impairment expense in Q4 2025 related to the Company’s operations in New York, driven by lower forecasted revenues and increased expenses as compared to the Company’s initial valuation date upon the acquisition of RIV Capital Inc. in December 2024. The impairment expense was recognized on the New York right-of-use assets, property and equipment, and intangible assets. The impairment expense in Q4 2024 related to the Company’s cannabis license in Florida and reflected lower anticipated operating profits for the Florida market compared to the last impairment testing date, largely as a result of the pricing pressures in the Florida market. The impairment expense is a non-cash item in the current period. The Company reported a gain on disposition of $12.0 million related to the divestiture of its Pennsylvania operations on December 31, 2025. Full Year 2025 Financial Highlights (vs. Full Year 2024) Revenue from continuing operations decreased 0.8% to $86.7 million compared to $87.4 million. Florida revenue decreased 17.4% to $71.5 million compared to $86.5 million. Gross profit before fair value adjustments3 from continuing operations was $28.6 million or 33.0% of revenue from continuing operations, compared to $44.3 million or 50.7% of revenue from continuing operations. Adjusted EBITDA4 was $12.7 million compared to $24.8 million, with the decrease primarily driven by the slow down in the Florida market and increased operating costs in New York prior to revenue realization from products out of the Company’s Buffalo facility. On December 31, 2025, the Company had approximately $8.9 million of cash and cash equivalents and $72.2 million of total debt outstanding, with approximately 711 million common shares outstanding on an as-converted basis (638 million common shares outstanding – basic), compared to $40.1 million of cash and cash equivalents and $82.4 million of total debt, with approximately 699 million common shares outstanding (472 million common shares outstanding – basic) on December 31, 2024. The Company’s audited annual consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 (the “Consolidated Financial Statements”) have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As disclosed in the Consolidated Financial Statements, as at December 31, 2025, certain conditions indicate the existence of events and circumstances that may cast significant doubt on the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Subsequent to year end, the Company has been pursuing strategic initiatives intended to strengthen its liquidity position and support ongoing operations. These initiatives include, among others, obtaining additional financing and pursuing strategic transactions with third parties. While management believes these initiatives may provide a pathway to additional capital and improved liquidity, their success is subject to various conditions not wholly within the Company’s control. Recent Operational Highlights Company Footprint As of the end of Q4 2025, FLUENT operated 35 retail locations and 8 production facilities across its core markets of Florida, New York, and Texas. Florida The Rosa indoor cultivation facility continued to increase output. Relocated a retail location to Brandon, Florida during Q4 2025, followed by the opening of a retail location in Orlando (Sand Lake) in January 2026. The Company has received a Certificate of Occupancy for a new retail location in Palm Bay, with final Department of Health inspection anticipated to be completed during Q2 2026. Expanded the Bag-O product line in Q4 2025 with the introduction of a ground flower offering. New York The Buffalo indoor cultivation team completed its first packaging and shipments of Connected and Alien Labs products in Q1 2026, while the Chestertown facility began shipping its Knack Black offering, a premium-tier product line packaged in glass jars. Texas Completed construction of the Houston Education and Pick-Up Center, which initially operated as a pick-up location and was converted into the Company’s flagship retail store in January 2026. The statewide ban on certain hemp-derived vape products took effect on September 1, 2025. Pennsylvania Completed the sale of the Company’s Pennsylvania operations, which included three retail locations, on December 31, 2025. Net proceeds from the transaction were used to reduce the Company’s outstanding debt. Conference Call The Company will not host an earnings call for the quarter. About FLUENT Corp. FLUENT, a national cannabis consumer packaged goods company and retailer, is dedicated to being one of the highest quality cannabis companies for the communities it serves. This is driven by FLUENT's unrelenting commitment to operational excellence in cultivation, production, distribution, and retail experience. FLUENT produces an assortment of cannabis products under a diverse portfolio of brands including MOODS, Knack, Wandr, Bag-O and Hyer Kind. FLUENT operates in Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, FLUENT employs approximately 580 employees across 8 cultivation and manufacturing facilities, 37 active retail locations and a wholesale division which trades under ENTOURAGE servicing third party retailers in New York. For more information on the Company’s wholesale division ENTOURAGE, please visit https://entouragewholesale.com/. FLUENT’s common shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol “FNT.U” and on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol “CNTMF”. For more information about the Company, please visit www.getFLUENT.com and investors.getFLUENT.com/. Forward-Looking Information Certain information in this news release may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws and may also contain statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "targets", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "an opportunity exists", "is positioned", "estimates", "intends", "assumes", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or similar expressions and includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the Company’s expectations regarding lower cost of goods sold; the Company’s expectations regarding the expansion of its premium product offerings; the Company’s focus on disciplined execution in the near term; the Company’s continued efforts to reduce costs and streamline operations; and the Company’s expectations regarding the final Department of Health inspection for its new retail location in Palm Bay. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections, or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent the Company's expectations, estimates, and projections regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company's control. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on many opinions, assumptions, and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date of this news release, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to the factors described in the public documents of the Company available on its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect the Company; however, these factors should be considered carefully. There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law. The Company, through several of its subsidiaries, is directly involved in the manufacture, possession, use, sale, and distribution of cannabis in the adult-use and medical cannabis marketplace in the United States. Local state laws where the Company operates permit such activities however, investors should note that there are significant legal restrictions and regulations that govern the cannabis industry in the United States under federal law in the United States. Cannabis remains a scheduled drug under the United States Controlled Substances Act and, subject to certain exceptions in relation to medical cannabis, illegal under federal law in the United States to, among other things, cultivate, distribute, or possess cannabis in the United States. Financial transactions involving proceeds generated by, or intended to promote, cannabis-related business activities in the United States may form the basis for prosecution under applicable United States federal money laundering legislation. While the approach to enforcement of such laws by the federal government in the United States has trended toward nonenforcement against individuals and businesses that comply with adult-use and medical cannabis programs in states where such programs are legal, strict compliance with state laws with respect to cannabis will neither absolve the Company of liability under United States federal law, nor will it provide a defense to any federal proceeding which may be brought against the Company. The enforcement of federal laws in the United States is a significant risk to the business of the Company and any proceedings brought against the Company thereunder may adversely affect operations and financial performance. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements containing any forward-looking information, or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. For further information visit: https://getfluent.com/ and https://investors.getFLUENT.com/ Investor Relations Contact: [email protected] Media Contact: [email protected] Officer Contact: Matt Mundy, Chief Legal Officer (850) 972-8077             FLUENT CORP.           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION           (USD '000)                                         December 31,   December 31,         2025       2024   Assets           Current assets           Cash and cash equivalents (includes $4,500 of restricted cash)     $ 8,910     $ 40,106   Accounts receivable, net       839       422   Biological assets       2,670       3,162   Inventories, net       12,815       15,155   Prepaid expenses and other current assets       3,482       2,587   Total current assets     $ 28,716     $ 61,432               Property and equipment, net       39,755       52,200   Right-of-use assets, net       43,747       46,731   Intangible assets, net       33,114       37,590   Goodwill       1,525       1,525   Deferred tax assets, net       -       1,039   Other assets       1,725       6,476   Total assets     $ 148,582     $ 206,993               Liabilities and shareholders' deficit           Current liabilities           Accounts payable     $ 6,942     $ 6,332   Accrued expenses       9,903       8,423   Income taxes payable       -       1,003   Derivative liabilities       1,632       2,148   Provision liability - current portion       -       4,957   Current portion of notes payable       1,253       755   Lease obligations - current portion       5,474       4,751   Total current liabilities     $ 25,204     $ 28,369               Long-term liabilities           Notes payable, net of current portion and financing costs       59,613       68,775   Lease liabilities, net of current portion       65,982       51,727   Deferred tax liabilities, net       4,053       4,817   Uncertain tax position       60,146       43,314   Provision liability, net of current portion       7,004       9,044   Convertible notes, net       7,540       6,482   Other long-term liabilities       -       3,447   Total long-term liabilities     $ 204,338     $ 187,606               Total liabilities     $ 229,542     $ 215,975               Shareholders' deficit           Share capital       206,629       206,419   Share-based compensation reserve       7,583       7,275   Equity conversion feature       7,097       7,097   Warrants       29,634       29,634   Accumulated deficit       (330,707 )     (258,211 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss       (1,196 )     (1,196 ) Total shareholders' deficit     $ (80,960 )   $ (8,982 )             Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit     $ 148,582     $ 206,993                           FLUENT CORP.           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)   (USD '000)                                         For the years ended       December 31, 2025   December 31, 2024 Revenue, net of discounts     $ 86,689     $ 87,392   Cost of goods sold       58,075       43,080   Gross profit before fair value adjustments       28,614       44,312               Fair value adjustments on inventory sold       187       (3,642 ) Unrealized gain (loss) on changes in fair value of biological assets       (733 )     7,872   Gross profit       28,068       48,542               Expenses           General and administrative       16,883       17,576   Sales and marketing       22,185       20,221   Depreciation and amortization       7,370       6,396   Share-based compensation       308       538   Total expenses       46,746       44,731               Income (loss) from operations       (18,678 )     3,811               Other expense (income)           Finance costs, net       20,854       19,608   Change in fair value of derivative liability       (516 )     (9,684 ) Change in remeasurement of provision liability       (5,203 )     -   Loss on debt settlement and remeasurement       479       8,725   Loss on disposal of assets       490       237   Impairment of intangible assets, property and equipment, and right-of-use assets       36,910       64,285   Gain on lease modifications       (253 )     (223 ) Bargain purchase gain on business combination       -       (44,520 ) Loss on loan       -       1,201   Income from ERTC Credit       (3,447 )     -   Other expense (income)       (19 )     68   Total other expense, net       49,295       39,697               Income (loss) before income taxes       (67,973 )     (35,886 )             Income tax expense       17,718       5,427               Net income (loss) from continuing operations       (85,691 )     (41,313 ) Net income (loss) from discontinued operations       13,195       923   Net income (loss)     $ (72,496 )   $ (40,390 )             Net loss from discontinued operations       -       -               Net income (loss)     $ (72,496 )   $ (40,390 )             Other comprehensive income (loss)           Foreign currency translation adjustment       -       (862 )             Comprehensive income (loss)     $ (72,496 )   $ (41,252 )             Net income (loss) per share           Basic and diluted - continuing operations     $ (0.16 )   $ (0.14 ) Basic and diluted - discontinued operations     $ -     $ -   Basic - discontinued operations     $ 0.02     $ 0.00   Diluted - discontinued operations     $ 0.02     $ 0.00               Weighted average number of shares           Basic number of shares       547,787,979       305,528,621   Diluted number of shares       667,388,977       319,363,971                                   FLUENT CORP.           QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS                         Three months ended   December 31, 2025   December 31, 2024   Variance             Revenue, net of discounts $ 18,607     $ 21,064     $ (2,457 ) Cost of goods sold   16,521       12,501       4,020               Gross profit before fair value adjustments(1)   2,086       8,563       (6,477 ) Gross margin before fair value adjustments(1)   11.2 %     40.7 %     -29.4 %             Realized fair value of increments on inventory sold   2,063       (1,383 )     3,446   Unrealized change in fair value of biological assets   (2,208 )     (832 )     (1,376 ) Gross profit   1,941       6,348       (4,407 ) Gross margin   10.4 %     30.1 %     -19.7 %             Expenses           General and administrative   3,565       5,096       (1,531 ) Sales and marketing   5,432       4,922       510   Depreciation and amortization   1,700       1,652       48   Share-based compensation   91       119       (28 ) Total expenses   10,788       11,789       (1,001 )             Loss from operations   (8,847 )     (5,441 )     (3,406 )             Other expense (income), net           Finance costs, net   5,492       5,168       324   Change in fair value of derivative liability   16       (1,392 )     1,408   Loss on remeasurement of provision liabillity   (480 )     -       (480 ) Loss on debt settlement   479       8,725       (8,246 ) Loss on disposal of assets   (29 )     25       (54 ) Impairment expense   36,910       64,285       (27,375 ) Gain on lease modification   (253 )     (223 )     (30 ) Bargain purchase gain on business combination   -       (44,520 )     44,520   Loss on loan   -       1,201       (1,201 ) Income from ERTC Credit   (3,447 )     -       (3,447 ) Other income   (40 )     63       (103 ) Total other expense, net   38,648       33,332       5,316               Loss before taxes   (47,495 )     (38,773 )     (8,722 )             Income taxes   5,187       (13,312 )     18,499               Net income (loss) from continuing operations   (52,682 )     (25,461 )     (27,221 ) Net income (loss) from discontinued operations   12,195       70       12,125               Net loss   (40,487 )     (25,391 )     (15,096 )             Other comprehensive income (loss)           Foreign currency translation adjustment   -       (862 )     862               Comprehensive loss   (40,487 )     (26,253 )     (14,234 )                                   FLUENT CORP.         CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS         (USD '000)                     For the year ended December 31,     2025 2024   Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities         Net loss $ (72,496 ) $ (40,390 ) Adjustments for non-cash items:         Bargain purchase gain on business combination -   (44,520 ) Loss on issuance and extinguishment of debt instruments, net -   8,225   Inventory write-down 1,984   81   Intangible assets impairment 3,788   64,285   Right of use assets impairment 20,521   -   Property, plant, and equipment impairment 12,601   -   Unrealized (gain) loss on changes in fair value of biological assets 733   (7,872 ) Realized (gain) loss on fair value amounts included in inventory sold (187 ) 3,642   Share-based compensation expense 308   538   Depreciation and amortization 21,243   14,995   Accretion and interest expense 21,028   12,370   Income from ERTC tax credit (3,447 ) -   Loss on disposition of fixed assets 491   237   Loss on debt settlement 479   -   Gain on remeasurement of provision liability (5,203 ) -   Loss (gain) on lease modification (253 ) (223 ) Gain on disposition of subsidiary (12,035 ) -   Net change in fair value of derivative (516 ) (9,684 ) Deferred tax expense (recovery) 275   (12,850 ) Net change in non-cash working capital         Accounts receivable (417 ) 24   Biological assets (20,918 ) (17,551 ) Inventory 20,884   20,087   Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,141   1,464   Right of use assets/liabilities (12,070 ) (4,840 ) Other assets 4,702   (492 ) Accounts payable (127 ) 805   Accrued expenses 1,074   (8,430 ) Uncertain tax position 16,832   43,314   Other long-term liabilities -   (435 ) Income taxes (1,003 ) (21,006 ) Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $ (588 ) $ 1,774             Cash flows used in investing activities         Cash acquired through business combination -   39,501   Purchases of property and equipment (14,039 ) (16,173 ) Purchase of intangible assets (358 ) (1,332 ) Sale of subsidiaries - Cansortium Pennsylvania LLC 11,600   -   Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities $ (2,797 ) $ 21,996             Cash flows used in financing activities         Net proceeds from issuance of shares and warrants 210   -   Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes, net of financing costs -   8,975   Mandatory prepayment of term loan (11,600 ) -   Payment of lease obligations (4,764 ) (2,814 ) Net proceeds from equipment loan -   48   Proceeds from term loan, net of financing costs -   68,976   Repayments of principal on term loan -   (67,173 ) Principal and interest repayments of notes payable (11,657 ) (1,335 ) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities $ (27,811 ) $ 6,677             Net change in cash (31,197 ) 30,447             Effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents -   (862 )           Cash, beginning of period 40,106   10,521             Cash, end of period $ 8,909   $ 40,106                           FLUENT CORP.             EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA CALCULATION             For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2025 and 2024             (USD '000)                             Three months ended     December 31, 2025   December 31, 2024   Variance   Net loss - continuing and discontinued ops $ (52,682 )   $ (25,461 )   $ (27,221 )   Interest expense   5,492       5,168       324     Income taxes   5,187       (13,312 )     18,499     Depreciation and amortization   5,333       3,320       2,013     Interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization - discontinued operations   249       263       (14 )   EBITDA - continuing and discontinued ops $ (36,421 )   $ (30,022 )   $ (6,399 )                                 Three months ended     December 31, 2025   December 31, 2024   Variance   EBITDA - continuing and discontinued ops $ (36,421 )   $ (30,022 )   $ (6,399 )   Change in fair value of biological assets   145       2,215       (2,070 )   Change in fair market value of derivative   16       (1,392 )     1,408     Change in remeasurement of provision liability   (480 )     -       (480 )   Impairment expense   36,910       64,285       (27,375 )   Bargain purchase gain   -       (44,520 )     44,520     Income from ERTC Credit   (3,447 )     -       (3,447 )   Gain on lease modifications   (253 )     (223 )     (30 )   Loss on debt settlement and remeasurement   479       8,725       (8,246 )   Loss on loan   -       1,201       (1,201 )   Professional fees(1)   2,155       5,584       (3,429 )   One-time employee costs(2)   868       927       (59 )   Share-based compensation   91       119       (28 )   Loss on disposal of assets   (29 )     25       (54 )   Other non-recurring expense   3,144       471       2,673     Adjusted EBITDA - continuing and discontinued ops $ 3,178     $ 7,395     $ (4,217 )                                               Year ended     December 31, 2025   December 31, 2024   Variance   Net loss - continuing and discontinued ops $ (72,496 )   $ (40,390 )   $ (32,106 )   Interest expense   20,854       19,608       1,246     Income taxes   17,718       5,427       12,291     Depreciation and amortization   20,995       14,091       6,904     Interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization - discontinued operations   2,164       2,289       (125 )   EBITDA - continuing and discontinued ops $ (10,765 )   $ 1,025     $ (11,790 )                                 Year ended     December 31, 2025   December 31, 2024   Variance   EBITDA - continuing and discontinued ops $ (10,765 )   $ 1,025     $ (11,790 )   Change in fair value of biological assets   546       (4,230 )     4,776     Change in fair market value of derivative   (516 )     (9,684 )     9,168     Change in remeasurement of provision liability   (5,203 )     -       (5,203 )   Impairment expense   36,910       64,285       (27,375 )   Bargain purchase gain   -       (44,520 )     44,520     Income from ERTC Credit   (3,447 )     -       (3,447 )   Gain on lease modifications   (253 )     (223 )     (30 )   Loss on debt settlement and remeasurement   479       8,725       (8,246 )   Loss on loan   -       1,201       (1,201 )   Professional fees   2,155       5,584       (3,429 )   One-time employee costs   868       927       (59 )   Share-based compensation   308       538       (230 )   Loss on disposal of assets   490       -       490     Other non-recurring expense   3,144       1,168       1,976     Gain on disposition of Cansortium PA LLC   (12,035 )     -       (12,035 )   Adjusted EBITDA - continuing and discontinued ops $ 12,681     $ 24,796     $ (12,115 )                             1 Gross profit before fair value adjustments is a non-IFRS financial measure that does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The Company calculates gross profit before fair value adjustments from gross profit plus (minus) the changes in fair value of biological assets, as presented in the consolidated statement of operations. 2 Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial measure that does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The Company calculates Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA (being calculated as the net income (loss), plus (minus) interest expense (income) and finance transactions costs, plus taxes, plus depreciation and amortization) plus (minus) the changes in fair value of biological assets, plus (minus) the changes in fair market value of derivatives, plus (minus) certain one-time non-operating expenses, as determined by management. 3 Gross profit before fair value adjustments is a non-IFRS financial measure that does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The Company calculates gross profit before fair value adjustments from gross profit plus (minus) the changes in fair value of biological assets, as presented in the consolidated statement of operations. 4 Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial measure that does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The Company calculates Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA (being calculated as the net income (loss), plus (minus) interest expense (income) and finance transactions costs, plus taxes, plus depreciation and amortization) plus (minus) the changes in fair value of biological assets, plus (minus) the changes in fair market value of derivatives, plus (minus) certain one-time non-operating expenses, as determined by management.