SNDL and 1CM announce an amended acquisition deal involving cannabis retail stores, with transactions staged over 2026.
Quiver AI Summary
SNDL Inc. and 1CM Inc. announced an amended arrangement agreement on December 15, 2025, modifying their previous agreement from April 2025. This deal involves SNDL acquiring 32 cannabis retail stores in Ontario, Alberta, and Saskatchewan for $32.2 million in cash, structured in two stages due to regulatory approval timelines. The first stage, or First Closing, will consist of selling 5 stores for $5 million, while the second stage will encompass the remaining 27 Ontario stores, valued at $27.2 million, with expected closure by May 31, 2026. SNDL has already paid a $2 million deposit for the initial phase. 1CM plans to seek court approval for these amendments and expects to announce a return of capital to shareholders after the second closing. The First Closing is anticipated to happen in January 2026, provided court approval is granted.
Potential Positives
- SNDL is set to expand its retail presence significantly by acquiring 32 cannabis retail stores, which could enhance its market share in the cannabis sector.
- The transaction structure, involving a phased closing, allows SNDL to manage regulatory approvals effectively while still proceeding with the acquisition of viable assets.
- The overwhelming support from 1CM's shareholders and the court's approval reflect strong confidence in the transaction's value and future prospects.
- The acquisition aligns with SNDL's strategy of being a leading vertically integrated cannabis company in Canada, potentially increasing its revenue streams through new retail locations.
Potential Negatives
- Extension of the outside date for completion of the transaction from December 31, 2025 to May 31, 2026 may indicate delays in regulatory approvals and could create uncertainty regarding the acquisition.
- The requirement for two stages of closing due to regulatory approval issues could signal potential challenges in integrating the purchased retail stores, which may impact operational efficiency.
- The non-refundable $2.0 million deposit towards the purchase price could represent a financial risk, especially if the Second Closing does not occur as anticipated.
FAQ
What is the updated agreement between SNDL and 1CM?
SNDL and 1CM have entered an amended arrangement agreement for SNDL to acquire 32 cannabis retail stores for $32.2 million.
When will the cannabis retail stores be transferred?
The transfer will occur in two stages, with the first closing expected in January 2026 and the second closing after regulatory approval.
How much will SNDL pay for the first closing?
SNDL will pay $5 million in cash for the first closing of the transaction.
What is the anticipated use of proceeds from the transaction?
Proceeds from the first closing will be used for transaction costs and working capital; a return of capital is expected later.
What regulatory approvals are needed for the transaction?
The first closing requires provincial regulatory approvals expected to be received, while the second closing awaits approval from Ontario regulators.
Disclaimer: This is an AI-generated summary of a press release distributed by GlobeNewswire. The model used to summarize this release may make mistakes. See the full release here.
$SNDL Hedge Fund Activity
We have seen 58 institutional investors add shares of $SNDL stock to their portfolio, and 69 decrease their positions in their most recent quarter.
Here are some of the largest recent moves:
- MORGAN STANLEY added 8,579,914 shares (+227.8%) to their portfolio in Q3 2025, for an estimated $22,994,169
- BNP PARIBAS FINANCIAL MARKETS removed 4,850,833 shares (-99.9%) from their portfolio in Q3 2025, for an estimated $13,000,232
- ARROWSTREET CAPITAL, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP added 4,057,790 shares (+718.2%) to their portfolio in Q3 2025, for an estimated $10,874,877
- ADVISORSHARES INVESTMENTS LLC added 2,208,160 shares (+203.6%) to their portfolio in Q3 2025, for an estimated $5,917,868
- CITADEL ADVISORS LLC added 2,180,854 shares (+inf%) to their portfolio in Q3 2025, for an estimated $5,844,688
- MILLENNIUM MANAGEMENT LLC removed 1,888,267 shares (-78.2%) from their portfolio in Q3 2025, for an estimated $5,060,555
- JPMORGAN CHASE & CO added 1,880,182 shares (+inf%) to their portfolio in Q3 2025, for an estimated $5,038,887
To track hedge funds' stock portfolios, check out Quiver Quantitative's institutional holdings dashboard.
$SNDL Analyst Ratings
Wall Street analysts have issued reports on $SNDL in the last several months. We have seen 1 firms issue buy ratings on the stock, and 0 firms issue sell ratings.
Here are some recent analyst ratings:
- Alliance Global Partners issued a "Buy" rating on 09/03/2025
To track analyst ratings and price targets for $SNDL, check out Quiver Quantitative's $SNDL forecast page.
Full Release
EDMONTON, Alberta and TORONTO, Dec. 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SNDL Inc. (Nasdaq: SNDL, CSE: SNDL) (“ SNDL ”) and 1CM Inc. (CSE: EPIC) (OTCQB: MILFF) (FSE: IQ70) (“ 1CM ”) announce that they have entered into an amended and restated arrangement agreement (the “ A&R Arrangement Agreement ”) dated December 15, 2025. The A&R Arrangement Agreement amends and restates the arrangement agreement dated April 9, 2025 between 1CM and SNDL (the “ Original Arrangement Agreement ”), pursuant to which SNDL agreed to, among other things, acquire 32 cannabis retail stores operating under the Cost Cannabis and T Cannabis banners in Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan (the “ Transaction ”) for a purchase price of $32.2 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments.
Under the A&R Arrangement Agreement, the parties have agreed to, among other things, complete the Transaction in two stages to align with the status of required provincial regulatory approvals. The first closing (“ First Closing ”) will involve the sale of 5 cannabis retail located in Alberta and Saskatchewan, where the expected regulatory approvals are expected to be forthcoming at closing. The second closing (“ Second Closing ”) will involve the sale of remaining 27 cannabis retail stores, each of which are located in Ontario, where the required regulatory approval is not expected to be obtained in 2025. In addition, the outside date for completion of the Transaction has been extended from December 31, 2025 to May 31, 2026.
The purchase price for the First Closing will be $5.0 million in cash, and the purchase price for the Second Closing will be $27.2 million in cash, in each case subject to certain adjustments at the time of the applicable closing. The aggregate purchase price for the Transaction has not been amended. Pursuant to the A&R Arrangement Agreement, SNDL has paid a $2.0 million non-refundable cash deposit towards the purchase price in respect of the First Closing.
As previously disclosed, 1CM’s shareholders (the “ 1CM Shareholders ”) voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Transaction at 1CM’s annual and special meeting of shareholders held on June 16, 2025 and 1CM obtained a final order (the “ Final Order ”) from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) (the “ Court ”) approving the arrangement contemplated under the Original Arrangement Agreement on June 18, 2025. 1CM intends to seek the approval of the Court at a hearing scheduled on January 5, 2026 to vary the Final Order in accordance with the amendments to the Transaction contemplated by the A&R Arrangement Agreement. Securityholders who wish to be heard must serve and file a notice of appearance as set out in the Interim Order dated May 6, 2025, a copy of which is attached to 1CM’s management information circular dated May 12, 2025 as Appendix “E”. Subject to obtaining Court approval, the First Closing is expected to occur in January 2026.
As also previously disclosed, 1CM continues to anticipate effecting a return of capital to shareholders of a portion of the net proceeds received by 1CM pursuant to the Transaction (a “ Return of Capital ”). However, 1CM does not anticipate announcing a Return of Capital until following the Second Closing. Net proceeds from the First Closing as expected to be used to pay transaction costs and for working capital purposes. Further announcements with respect to a Return of Capital are expected to be made following the Second Closing.
ABOUT SNDL INC.
SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL, CSE: SNDL), through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is one of the largest vertically integrated cannabis companies and the largest private-sector liquor and cannabis retailer in Canada, with retail banners that include Ace Liquor, Wine and Beyond, Liquor Depot, Value Buds and Spiritleaf. With products available in licensed cannabis retail locations nationally, SNDL's consumer facing cannabis brands include Top Leaf, Contraband, Palmetto, Bon Jak, La Plogue, Versus, Value Buds, Grasslands, Vacay, Pearls by Grön, No Future and Bhang Chocolate. SNDL's investment portfolio seeks to deploy strategic capital through direct and indirect investments and partnerships throughout the North American cannabis industry. For more information, please visit www.sndl.com.
ABOUT 1CM INC.
1CM Inc. is a retailer of cannabis and liquor in Canada with a track record of developing cash-flow positive locations. Following closing of the Transaction, 1CM expects to continue to develop new cannabis and liquor retail locations through organic growth and by way of future merger and acquisition transactions. For more information, please visit www.1CMinc.com.
For more information contact:
For SNDL:
Tomas Bottger
SNDL Inc.
O: 1.587.327.2017
E: [email protected]
For 1CM:
Harshil Chovatiya
1CM Inc.
O: 1.717.888.8889
E: [email protected]
Forward-Looking Information
This news release includes statements containing certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law ("forward-looking statements"), including, but not limited to, statements regarding the anticipated timing for the First Closing and Second Closing, SNDL's intentions with respect to the Cost Cannabis and T Cannabis brands and integration with SNDL, the timing of the hearing for the Final Order, 1CM’s expected use of the proceeds from the Transaction, and 1CM’s Return of Capital. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "likely", "outlook", "forecast", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking statements throughout this news release. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Please see "Risk Factors" in SNDL's Annual Information Form dated March 17, 2025, and the risk factors included in the parties’ other public disclosure documents, including the risk factors discussed in 1CM’s annual and quarterly management's discussion and analysis, for a discussion of the material risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information. Neither SNDL nor 1CM are under any obligation, and each expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law.