Should I Buy Cresco Labs Stock in 2025? Expert Guide for Ireland

What is Cresco Labs?

How much is the Cresco Labs stock?

The price of Cresco Labs stock is rising this week. As of today, the stock trades at $0.6776, up by 1.13% in the last 24 hours, but showing a 2.22% drop over the past week.

Given its significant price swings and ongoing sector developments, investors should be aware of heightened volatility in this market.

Our complete analysis on the Cresco Labs stock

After an exhaustive review of Cresco Labs’ most recent financial performance, as well as its equity trajectory over the previous three years, our proprietary analytical framework—fusing fundamental signals, technical indicators, market intelligence, and competitive benchmarking—delivers a compelling portrait of this multi-state operator’s evolving strengths. The results point to meaningful strategic transitions, improving financial health, and notable sector-wide catalysts on the horizon. So, why might Cresco Labs stock once again become a strategic entry point into the US cannabis sector in 2025?

Recent Performance and Market Context

Cresco Labs (OTCQX: CRLBF) currently trades at $0.6776 per share, with a market capitalisation of approximately $301 million as of 30 May 2025. The stock remains notably volatile—mirroring sector-wide turbulence—but several positive signals have emerged. Over the past week, shares have experienced a modest dip (-2.22%), though this comes in the aftermath of significant sector moves. Notably, while the stock is down 64.5% over the past year and 23.1% over the last six months, this retracement situates CRLBF squarely at a multi-year support zone—a key technical inflection point for value-oriented investors.

Recent events provide a positive long-term backdrop. Cresco’s 2024 financial results showcase record-breaking operating cash flow and free cash flow—despite moderate topline contraction—signalling a focus on profitability and capital discipline. The company has executed a $40 million reduction in senior debt, further strengthening its balance sheet resiliency. Importantly, the announcement of US federal cannabis reclassification (Schedule III) holds the potential to reduce punitive sector taxes (notably the impact of IRS section 280E), likely to meaningfully boost Cresco’s net profitability.

Macro-level tailwinds are also beginning to solidify. State-level cannabis sales continue to grow, and recent regulatory signals from Washington point to incremental federal normalisation. As the cannabis industry’s legal landscape matures, multi-state operators such as Cresco Labs—especially those with a vertically integrated model—are expected to be substantial beneficiaries.

Technical Analysis

From a technical standpoint, Cresco Labs is exhibiting clear signs of stabilisation after a protracted bearish phase. As of 30 May 2025, the stock’s Relative Strength Index (RSI) rests at 44.29—a neutral reading, suggesting neither overbought nor oversold conditions and positioning the stock for a possible momentum reversal. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) is signalling a nascent buy, with a reading of -0.02, while the price consolidates close to its lower 52-week range.

Although CRLBF remains below its key moving averages—20-day ($0.75), 50-day ($0.71), 100-day ($0.80), and 200-day ($1.12)—it has managed to respect a significant support level at $0.57 repeatedly, establishing a technical floor. Immediate resistance stands at $0.76, and the daily trading range ($0.6532–$0.6900) suggests growing short-term price stability. Crucially, the prevailing technical configuration often precedes a bottoming process, particularly in high-beta, catalyst-sensitive sectors like cannabis.

For investors seeking optimal entry strategies, the current setup at strong support, combined with improving technical momentum, points to a potentially advantageous positioning ahead of upcoming regulatory and earnings catalysts.

Fundamental Analysis

Cresco Labs’ fundamental profile has undergone marked improvement in the past year. For the full year 2024, the company delivered $724.3 million in revenue, with an adjusted EBITDA of $199.8 million—a robust 15% gain on the prior year. Notably, operational cash flow soared to a record $132 million (up 126% YOY), and free cash flow reached $114 million, underscoring management’s commitment to financial discipline and operational efficiency.

Although the company reported a net loss of $60.5 million, the figure is substantially influenced by $66 million in non-cash 280E-related tax charges. This distinction is critical; with the highly anticipated reduction or removal of these tax burdens under Schedule III status, Cresco’s path to net profitability could accelerate dramatically. Analyst consensus reflects growing optimism, with a target price range of $1.22–$2.34 and a mean estimate of $1.86—representing substantial upside to the current valuation.

Operationally, Cresco continues to lead in key markets, holding #1 positions in Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts—supported by the scale and efficiency of its Sunnyside dispensary network. The company’s vertically integrated model amplifies its margin potential, and its diverse portfolio of brands (including Cresco, High Supply, FloraCal, Good News, Mindy's, Wonder Wellness, and Remedi) ensures broad consumer penetration. The recent expansion into Kentucky (via a Tier 3 cultivation licence) reaffirms management’s disciplined but opportunistic growth strategy.

From a valuation perspective, Cresco Labs trades at a substantial discount to its peer group on Price-to-Sales and Price-to-Book measures. While a conventional P/E comparison is not currently available due to accounting losses, forward-looking multiples—adjusted for a post-280E environment—imply a re-rating is plausible as the regulatory and fiscal outlook dramatically improves.

Volume and Liquidity

At an average daily trading volume of nearly 690,000 shares (over a 65-day average), Cresco Labs enjoys robust liquidity for an OTC equity. Such sustained volume reflects continued institutional and retail investor interest, even as the sector consolidates. With a public float of almost 333 million shares, the stock’s liquidity profile is conducive to dynamic revaluation and provides investors with the reassurance of price discovery efficiency.

This depth of trading activity also indicates resilience under periods of selling pressure, suggesting confidence in the underlying operational improvements and anticipation of a more favourable regulatory landscape in the second half of 2025.

Catalysts and Positive Outlook

• Regulatory Reclassification: The federal move to reclassify cannabis as a Schedule III substance is widely expected to alleviate the sector’s most punishing cost headwind—IRS section 280E tax treatment—potentially unlocking tens of millions in annual net earnings and enabling greater reinvestment in growth.
• Balance Sheet Optimisation: Ongoing deleveraging, illustrated by the $40 million reduction in senior debt, strengthens Cresco’s financial flexibility and reduces interest burdens—preparing the company for both internal investment and potential M&A activity.
• Strategic Geographic Expansion: The Kentucky market entry opens a significant new geographic growth vector, supplementing Cresco’s leading positions in mature northern states.
• Brand Portfolio and Consumer Reach: Continued brand innovation and penetration across Cresco’s suite of national labels drive consumer loyalty and bolster pricing power.
• Sector Tailwinds: Broader cannabis industry dynamics—including ongoing legalisation momentum at state and federal levels, rising consumer demand, and the potential for eventual banking reforms—provide external support for a re-rating of profitable, cash-generative operators.
• ESG and Regulatory Compliance: As one of the most established, fully-compliant multi-state operators, Cresco Labs is well positioned to capture institutional capital flows as ESG screens become more commonplace in new industry entrants.

Investment Strategies

• Short-term: Given the stock’s proximity to a well-defined technical support at $0.57—and with improving secondary momentum signals (MACD, RSI)—short-term participants could benefit from a contrarian “mean-reversion” play, especially with the catalyst-rich calendar ahead.
• Medium-term: As upcoming regulatory developments converge with sustained top-line stabilisation and margin expansion, a medium-term positioning appears justified, particularly for those seeking exposure to the re-rating potential resulting from a more equitable tax regime.
• Long-term: Investors seeking a high-conviction position in a sector leader with proven operational execution, dominant market share, and a maturing balance sheet should note Cresco Labs’ ability to compound cash flow even in challenging environments. The anticipated industry rationalisation and increasing barriers to entry are set to favour large, vertically integrated players—further supporting Cresco’s long-term strategic value.

Ideal entry points may present themselves at or near current multi-year lows, or in anticipation of the next material company or regulatory catalyst—a setup that has historically rewarded patient, research-driven capital.

Is it the Right Time to Buy Cresco Labs?

In summary, Cresco Labs combines sector leadership, improving operational fundamentals, and strong cash generation with timely exposure to transformational regulatory change. The company’s disciplined balance sheet management, dominant market presence, and innovative brand suite reinforce a positive fundamental case, while its technical positioning near a historical floor offers an appealing risk/reward dynamic. With consensus analyst targets implying substantial medium-term upside and key catalysts poised to reshape the US cannabis landscape, the stock seems to represent an excellent opportunity for investors seeking exposure to one of the sector’s most resilient, future-focused operators.

As the US cannabis market approaches a new phase of normalisation, Cresco Labs’ combination of financial strength, strategic execution, and imminent sector tailwinds appears difficult to ignore. For those focused on capturing the next wave of growth in US cannabis, Cresco Labs stands out as a stock worthy of careful consideration—right as the fundamentals justify renewed interest and sector momentum appears poised to return.

In this context, Cresco Labs offers an opportunity that balances downside protection with considerable upside potential—making it a timely addition to any forward-looking investment watchlist.

How to buy Cresco Labs stock in Ireland?

Buying Cresco Labs stock online is now simple and secure, especially for investors in Ireland. Through regulated brokers, you can get exposure to Cresco Labs in just a few clicks, with safeguards in place for your funds. The two main ways to invest are direct spot buying of shares and trading Contracts for Difference (CFDs), each offering distinct benefits and risks. Below, we’ll walk you through both methods; for a full overview of which brokers are available in Ireland, see our comparison further down the page.

Spot Buying {Cresco Labs}

A cash or spot purchase means directly buying Cresco Labs shares at their current market price and holding ownership of the actual stock. Most brokers charge a fixed commission per trade, which for Irish investors typically ranges from €5 to €10 per order (often around $5–$10 USD). For example, with a $1,000 (approx. €915) investment and a Cresco Labs share price of $0.68, you could buy around 1,463 shares, accounting for a $5 commission.

Investment gain example

✔️ Gain scenario: If the share price rises by 10%, your shares would be worth $1,100.
Result: You’d have a gross gain of $100, an increase of 10% on your investment (excluding currency conversion and taxes).

Trading via CFD

CFDs (Contracts for Difference) are derivative products that let you speculate on Cresco Labs’ price movements without owning the underlying shares. CFD trading typically involves costs such as the spread (the difference between buy and sell prices) and overnight financing fees if you hold positions longer than a day. With a $1,000 stake and 5x leverage, you can open a position worth $5,000.

CFD gain scenario example

✔️ Gain scenario: If Cresco Labs stock climbs 8%, your position would deliver a 40% gain (8% movement × 5 leverage), resulting in a $400 profit on your initial $1,000 investment—before fees and regulatory charges.

Final advice

Before investing, carefully compare the fees, trading conditions, and account options offered by different brokers. Your choice between spot investing and CFD trading should reflect your financial goals, risk appetite, and investment timeline. Explore the broker comparison below to identify the platform best suited to your needs in Ireland, and remember: thoughtful research and tailored strategies are key to confident, successful investing.

Our 7 tips for buying Cresco Labs stock

The latest news about Cresco Labs

Cresco Labs reported record operational cash flow of $132 million for 2024, up 126% year-on-year. This strong cash generation, despite a revenue decline versus 2023, highlights a pivot towards profitability and robust free cash flow ($114 million), which adds resilience to the business and can underpin strategic investments, debt management, or future growth—attributes valued by institutional investors and funds in Ireland seeking exposure to mature cannabis operators with proven fundamentals.

The company is strategically expanding into Kentucky after securing a Tier 3 production license. With Kentucky’s medical cannabis market opening in early 2025 and Cresco Labs among the initial licensees, this move provides early-mover advantages in a new state and diversifies the revenue base. For Irish investors monitoring sectoral growth in the US, such expansion signals ongoing management execution on market penetration and long-term growth potential.

Analyst consensus targets Cresco Labs shares at $1.86, well above current trading levels. The share’s current price of $0.6776 stands at a substantial discount compared to the mean analyst target, suggesting considerable upside potential. Coverage by credible North American research firms enables Irish market participants to track valuation momentum and compare sector performance efficiently.

Cresco Labs will directly benefit from the US cannabis reclassification to Schedule III, reducing effective tax rates. The prospect of federal regulatory reform, notably the anticipated decrease in burdensome 280E tax treatment, is expected to materially improve future profitability. For Irish portfolio allocators attentive to regulatory tailwinds and catalysts, such structural changes are key reasons to consider allocations in US multi-state cannabis operators like Cresco Labs.

Recent technical indicators point to cautious optimism, with MACD signaling a buy while RSI remains neutral. Although the price is below all major moving averages, contributing to a predominantly bearish trend, the MACD crossover offers a constructive near-term signal, suggesting possible stabilization or upward movement. This nuanced technical context will be of interest to Irish traders and advisors focused on short- to medium-term tactical opportunities in international growth equities.

FAQ

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.