Aurora Cannabis (NYSE: ACB), once a favorite among pot investors because of its bold expansion strategy, lost steam in 2019. Aurora's shares declined 56% last year, compared to a 36% decline of the industry benchmark, the Horizons Marijuana Life Sciences Index ETF. Various external headwinds in Canada affected revenue, and some of management's rash decisions -- including an acquisition spending spree -- made it impossible for the company to achieve profitability.
Marijuana sales have been rising in 2020, particularly because of the coronavirus pandemic, which has amplified consumer demand. Aurora is seeing revenue growth this year, but it hasn't been enough to turn into a profit. The company has made strides to reduce expenses in order to achieve positive EBITDA (earnings before income, tax, depreciation, and amortization) by fiscal year 2021. But to what extent those strategies have played out will be clear when it announces its fourth-quarter results on Sept. 22. Before you decide whether to buy this pot stock, watch out for these three updates in its reports.
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