Better Choice Co Inc. (BTTR)·Q4 2024 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q4 2024 delivered 26% year-over-year revenue growth to $7.2M, with gross margin at 36% and adjusted EBITDA loss improving to approximately $0.70M; momentum was driven by 32% growth across Amazon and Chewy and more than doubling Asia Pacific volume .
- The full-year turnaround progressed: gross margin rose to 37% (+650 bps YoY), adjusted EBITDA loss improved 78% to $1.9M, and SG&A fell 22%; balance sheet strengthened via $6.2M gain on extinguishment and working capital of $7.9M .
- Strategic actions post-year-end: definitive agreement to sell Halo Asia for $6.5M cash plus a 3% royalty (min $330k/yr for 5 years), an agreed-in-principle 5.5% royalty on Halo Elevate in Asia, and plan to distribute up to 55% of annual Halo royalties to shareholders of record each year .
- The SRx Health acquisition is expected to close in April, positioning BTTR as a broader health and wellness company; management emphasizes operational leverage and continued top-line momentum into 2025 .
- Wall Street consensus (S&P Global) was not available for BTTR; estimate comparisons could not be performed.
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Digital acceleration: Q4 revenue grew 26% YoY to $7.2M, with Amazon and Chewy up 32%, supported by Black Friday promotions and best Amazon quarter since Q1 2023 .
- Margin and cost discipline: Q4 gross margin was 36%; full-year gross margin reached 37% (+650 bps YoY), SG&A declined 22%, inventory fell over 40%, and direct cost per pound improved 4% .
- Balance sheet progress: $6.2M gain from extinguishing debt and payables; working capital rose to $7.9M, cash was $3.0M, borrowing capacity $2.4M; adjusted EBITDA loss narrowed meaningfully in Q4 and FY .
Management quotes:
- “Our brand’s performance was highlighted by an impressive fourth quarter revenue growth of 26% year-over-year... 32% growth across Amazon and Chewy” .
- “Full year gross margin increased over 650 basis points year-over-year to 37%” .
- “Adjusted EBITDA loss improved 80% year-over-year to approximately $700,000 loss” in Q4 .
What Went Wrong
- Consolidated FY net revenues were $35M, down 9% due to strategic exits from non-core brick-and-mortar and closing unprofitable DTC; domestic topline softness persisted despite digital growth .
- Q4 gross margin at 36% trailed Q3’s 40% as mix shifted and promotional intensity rose; adjusted EBITDA turned negative in Q4 after a positive Q3 as seasonal and promotional dynamics weighed .
- Liquidity usage: net cash used in operations totaled $4.4M in FY due to supplier paydowns and noncash gain accounting; investing outflows $2.3M, though partially offset by $5.5M financing inflows .
Analyst concerns likely include sustainability of digital-driven growth without formal guidance, the impact of divestitures on future scale, and margin variability across quarters .
Financial Results
Consolidated Performance vs Prior Quarters
Notes: Q3 adjusted EBITDA described as “just over $200,000” and Q4 adjusted EBITDA loss as “approximately $700,000” .
Year-over-Year and Sequential Dynamics
Segment/Channel Breakdown (growth indicators)
Operating KPIs
Guidance Changes
No quantitative revenue/margin/OpEx/tax guidance was issued for 2025; management emphasized continued margin expansion and profitable growth focus .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- CEO: “Our brand’s performance was highlighted by an impressive fourth quarter revenue growth of 26% year-over-year... 32% growth across Amazon and Chewy... We also successfully launched Halo on Chewy Canada in November” .
- CFO: “Full year gross margin increased over 650 basis points year-over-year to 37%... SG&A reduction of 22%... adjusted EBITDA loss improved 78% year-over-year to a $1.9 million loss” .
- Strategic: “We signed a definitive agreement to sell Halo Asia... $6.5 million in cash at closing along with a 3% royalty... Board... approved a royalty distribution plan of up to 55%... to be distributed annually to stockholders of record” .
- Outlook: “We are well positioned to capitalize... focus will remain on profitable revenue growth, expanding margins and continuing to strengthen our working capital position” .
Q&A Highlights
Q&A content was not available in the retrieved transcript due to document read limitations; management’s prepared remarks emphasized e-commerce growth, international monetization, margin discipline, and the SRx Health strategic transaction .
Estimates Context
- Wall Street consensus (S&P Global) for Q4 2024 EPS and revenue was unavailable due to missing CIQ mapping for BTTR; as a result, comparisons to consensus and beat/miss analysis could not be performed.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Digital channels are the growth engine: sustained improvements across Amazon/Chewy, with promotional lifts and subscription engagement supporting repeat behavior .
- Margin trajectory is improving on a full-year basis; quarterly variability reflects mix and promotions. Continued SG&A discipline and COGS efficiencies underpin medium-term margin expansion .
- Asia monetization is a near-term catalyst: cash proceeds plus ongoing royalty streams, with a shareholder royalty distribution plan offering potential recurring return of capital .
- Balance sheet strengthening reduces risk: debt/payable extinguishments and improved working capital provide flexibility to invest behind e-commerce and core product innovation .
- SRx Health combination broadens scope and may introduce synergistic growth opportunities; execution updates post-close will be key to the medium-term thesis .
- Without formal numerical guidance or available Street estimates, monitoring quarterly channel mix, international volumes, and gross margin cadence is critical for near-term trading.
- Watch for April transaction milestones (Halo Asia close, SRx Health close) and any follow-on details on royalty distribution mechanics to assess capital return profile .