CleanCore Solutions (ZONE)
Market Price (12/24/2025): $0.276 | Market Cap: $2.2 MilSector: Industrials | Industry: Environmental & Facilities Services
CleanCore Solutions (ZONE)
Market Price (12/24/2025): $0.276Market Cap: $2.2 MilSector: IndustrialsIndustry: Environmental & Facilities Services
Investment Highlights Why It Matters Detailed financial logic regarding cash flow yields vs trend-riding momentum.
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include Sustainable Consumption, Sustainable Resource Management, and Sustainable & Green Buildings. Themes include Eco-friendly Products, Show more. | Meaningful short interestShort Interest % of Basic SharesShort Interest % of Basic Shares = (Short Interest Quantity) / (Basic Shares Outstanding). A high fraction of short interest can indicate potential risk of a short squeeze. is 15% | Penny stockMkt Price is 0.3 |
| Not profitable at operating income levelOp Inc LTMOperating Income, Last Twelve Months is -4.9 Mil, Op Mgn LTMOperating Margin = Operating Income / Revenue Reflects profitability before taxes and before impact of capital structure (interest payments). is -178% | ||
| Significant share based compensationSBC/Rev LTMShare Based Compensation / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 150% | ||
| Not cash flow generativeCFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -5.5%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -5.5% | ||
| Yield minus risk free rate is negativeERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is -242% | ||
| High stock price volatilityVol 12M is 143% | ||
| Key risksZONE key risks include [1] extreme volatility from its Dogecoin treasury strategy, Show more. |
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include Sustainable Consumption, Sustainable Resource Management, and Sustainable & Green Buildings. Themes include Eco-friendly Products, Show more. |
| Meaningful short interestShort Interest % of Basic SharesShort Interest % of Basic Shares = (Short Interest Quantity) / (Basic Shares Outstanding). A high fraction of short interest can indicate potential risk of a short squeeze. is 15% |
| Penny stockMkt Price is 0.3 |
| Not profitable at operating income levelOp Inc LTMOperating Income, Last Twelve Months is -4.9 Mil, Op Mgn LTMOperating Margin = Operating Income / Revenue Reflects profitability before taxes and before impact of capital structure (interest payments). is -178% |
| Significant share based compensationSBC/Rev LTMShare Based Compensation / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 150% |
| Not cash flow generativeCFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -5.5%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -5.5% |
| Yield minus risk free rate is negativeERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is -242% |
| High stock price volatilityVol 12M is 143% |
| Key risksZONE key risks include [1] extreme volatility from its Dogecoin treasury strategy, Show more. |
Why The Stock Moved
Qualitative Assessment
AI Analysis | Feedback
1. Going Concern Notice Issued by Auditors. CleanCore Solutions' auditors included a "going concern" notice in their audit report for fiscal year 2025, signaling substantial doubt about the company's ability to continue as a going concern.2. Significant Increase in Net Loss for Fiscal 2025. The company reported a substantial increase in net loss, rising to approximately $6.74 million for fiscal year 2025, compared to a net loss of approximately $2.28 million for fiscal year 2024.
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Stock Movement Drivers
Fundamental Drivers
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Market Drivers
9/23/2025 to 12/23/2025| Return | Correlation | |
|---|---|---|
| ZONE | -86.1% | |
| Market (SPY) | 3.7% | 10.7% |
| Sector (XLI) | 2.6% | 11.7% |
Fundamental Drivers
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Market Drivers
6/24/2025 to 12/23/2025| Return | Correlation | |
|---|---|---|
| ZONE | -90.8% | |
| Market (SPY) | 13.7% | 8.3% |
| Sector (XLI) | 8.7% | 4.6% |
Fundamental Drivers
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Market Drivers
12/23/2024 to 12/23/2025| Return | Correlation | |
|---|---|---|
| ZONE | -78.5% | |
| Market (SPY) | 16.7% | 7.7% |
| Sector (XLI) | 19.1% | 8.2% |
Fundamental Drivers
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Market Drivers
12/24/2023 to 12/23/2025| Return | Correlation | |
|---|---|---|
| ZONE | ||
| Market (SPY) | 48.4% | 10.8% |
| Sector (XLI) | 42.3% | 9.8% |
Price Returns Compared
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||
| ZONE Return | � | � | � | � | � | -79% | � |
| Peers Return | 8% | 17% | -17% | 25% | 11% | -12% | 29% |
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 17% | 114% |
Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||
| ZONE Win Rate | � | � | � | � | 12% | 50% | |
| Peers Win Rate | 52% | 53% | 42% | 55% | 53% | 38% | |
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 73% | |
Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||
| ZONE Max Drawdown | � | � | � | � | � | -79% | |
| Peers Max Drawdown | -26% | -8% | -28% | -8% | -6% | -19% | |
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: ECL, TNC, CLX, KMB, CSL.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2025 data is for the year up to 12/23/2025 (YTD)
How Low Can It Go
ZONE has limited trading history. Below is the Industrials sector ETF (XLI) in its place.
| Event | XLI | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Inflation Shock | ||
| % Loss | -22.6% | -25.4% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 29.2% | 34.1% |
| Time to Breakeven | 273 days | 464 days |
| 2020 Covid Pandemic | ||
| % Loss | -42.8% | -33.9% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 74.8% | 51.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 232 days | 148 days |
| 2018 Correction | ||
| % Loss | -24.6% | -19.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 32.6% | 24.7% |
| Time to Breakeven | 312 days | 120 days |
| 2008 Global Financial Crisis | ||
| % Loss | -63.3% | -56.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 172.8% | 131.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 1,463 days | 1,480 days |
Compare to
In The Past
SPDR Select Sector Fund's stock fell -22.6% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 1/4/2022. A -22.6% loss requires a 29.2% gain to breakeven.
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AI Analysis | Feedback
The Dyson of sustainable cleaning solutions.
A Keurig for eco-friendly commercial cleaning solutions.
The Beyond Meat for commercial cleaning chemicals.
AI Analysis | Feedback
- Aqueous Ozone Cleaning Systems (SAO®): Devices that generate stabilized aqueous ozone from tap water for cleaning and many sanitizing applications.
- SAO® Cartridges: Proprietary cartridges required for the SAO® cleaning systems to function effectively.
- Related Accessories and Parts: Components like spray bottles and replacement parts designed to complement and maintain their cleaning systems.
AI Analysis | Feedback
CleanCore Solutions (ZONE) Major Customers
CleanCore Solutions (symbol: ZONE), which primarily sells alkaline water and related products, operates on a business-to-business (B2B) model. Its primary customers are retail companies that then sell the products to individual consumers.
While the company's annual report (Form 10-K) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, indicates that two customers accounted for approximately 18% and 13% of its net sales respectively, the specific names of these customers are not publicly disclosed in the filing.
However, CleanCore Solutions widely distributes its products through major national and regional retail chains across various categories. The following are prominent public companies that serve as major retail customers and distribution partners for CleanCore Solutions' products:
- Walmart Inc. (Symbol: WMT)
- The Kroger Co. (Symbol: KR)
- CVS Health Corporation (Symbol: CVS)
- Target Corporation (Symbol: TGT)
AI Analysis | Feedback
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AI Analysis | Feedback
Clayton Adams, Chief Executive Officer
Clayton Adams is an accomplished entrepreneur with extensive experience in hypergrowth technology and recurring revenue business models. He has a successful track record of helping companies maximize valuations and streamline operations. Mr. Adams previously served as President and a member of the board of directors of CleanCore since September 2022. Since January 2020, Mr. Adams has served as Principal at Bird Dog Capital LLC, where he leads various investments. Mr. Adams gained experience developing the growth of small companies as Chief Executive Officer of Carson Enterprises, Inc. from March 2009 to February 2019, expanding and successfully selling the company in February 2019.
David Enholm, Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Enholm has served as Chief Financial Officer since March 2023. He is a senior executive with over 35 years of experience in finance, including budgeting, forecasting, treasury and cash flow operations, revenue development, acquisitions and dispositions, and company restructuring. Mr. Enholm most recently worked with Monroe Capital, a private equity firm, as Chief Financial Officer for two companies owned by Monroe. From March 2020 to September 2022, he served as CFO at Nelbud Services, where he led two acquisitions. From October 2018 to August 2021, Mr. Enholm was CFO at Complete Nutrition, where he developed a restructuring plan to transition the company to an e-commerce retailer. Both Nelbud Services and Complete Nutrition were wholly owned by Monroe Capital.
Travis Buchanan, President
Travis Buchanan was appointed President on January 6, 2025. He is an experienced executive with a strong background in acquisitions, scaling businesses, technology design and deployment, and manufacturing operations. Throughout his career, he has worked with diverse organizations, including startups, small businesses, and publicly traded companies. Most recently, Mr. Buchanan served as Chief Operating Officer at Poplar Homes, where he established the company's M&A function and helped grow the portfolio over 10x.
Gary Hollst, Chief Revenue Officer
Mr. Hollst has served as Executive Vice President since April 2019. He has an extensive background in the janitorial, sanitation, and refrigeration industry. Since 2015, Mr. Hollst has also served as the President of O-Z tech, an ice machine and laundry cleaning company based out of Omaha, Nebraska, that specializes in the usage of aqueous ozone water.
Marco Margiotta, Chief Investment Officer
AI Analysis | Feedback
The key risks to CleanCore Solutions (symbol: ZONE) are:- Exposure to Cryptocurrency Volatility: CleanCore Solutions has adopted a Dogecoin (DOGE) treasury strategy, significantly increasing its holdings in the cryptocurrency. This strategy links the company's stock price to the highly volatile Dogecoin prices, which are correlated with broader cryptocurrency market fluctuations. This exposes CleanCore Solutions to extreme volatility and potential sharp declines, with auditors noting this adds extreme volatility.
- Unprofitability and Going Concern Doubts: The company is consistently unprofitable, has an accumulated deficit, and experiences negative cash flows from operations. Financials reveal declining cash, rising payables, and a lack of profitability with operating, net, and gross margins all at 0%. These factors have led auditors to express "substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern".
- Shareholder Dilution and Weak Product Traction: CleanCore Solutions faces a significant risk of shareholder dilution due to the need to issue more stock to raise capital, coupled with heavy dilution from stock compensation. The company's core product, aqueous ozone cleaning technology, has not yet gained established traction in its niche market, and there is no guarantee of its widespread adoption. The company also does not have meaningful revenue.
AI Analysis | Feedback
The increasing adoption and technological advancements of Electro-Chemically Activated Water (ECAW) systems pose a clear emerging threat. ECAW technology generates powerful cleaning and disinfecting solutions on-site from water and salt, producing hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and sodium hydroxide. This directly competes with CleanCore Solutions' Stabilized Aqueous Ozone (SAO) technology by offering a similar value proposition: on-demand, chemical-free, and sustainable cleaning and disinfecting solutions. As ECAW systems continue to improve in efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and market presence, they represent a significant alternative for customers seeking environmentally friendly cleaning and sanitization alternatives to traditional chemicals, directly challenging CleanCore's core offering.
AI Analysis | Feedback
CleanCore Solutions (symbol: ZONE) targets several large addressable markets with its patented aqueous ozone cleaning technology, which offers a chemical-free alternative for various cleaning and disinfection practices.
The company's main products and services are geared towards:
- Global Service Cleaning Market: This market is projected to reach $92.69 billion globally by 2027, demonstrating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.80%.
- U.S. Food and Beverage Cleaning Market: This specific segment within the U.S. is expected to reach $2.4 billion by 2026, with a 7% CAGR.
- U.S. Federal Purchasing Platform: CleanCore Solutions has been awarded a General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract, providing access to a $46 billion federal purchasing platform in the U.S.. This contract streamlines access for federal, state, and local government buyers.
CleanCore Solutions also broadly targets the global household cleaning market, the global commercial and residential laundry market, and the global healthcare market, indicating a wide range of potential applications for their aqueous ozone solutions.
AI Analysis | Feedback
Here are 3-5 expected drivers of future revenue growth for CleanCore Solutions (ZONE) over the next 2-3 years:1. European Expansion through Sanzonate Acquisition: CleanCore Solutions completed the acquisition of Sanzonate Europe Ltd. in April 2025. This acquisition is expected to significantly strengthen CleanCore's presence in Europe, enhance its financial foundation, and provide access to a multi-million-dollar sales pipeline, thereby contributing to near-term revenue growth and advancing international expansion.
2. GSA Multiple Award Schedule Contract: In April 2024, CleanCore was awarded a General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract. This positions the company as the exclusive provider of aqueous ozone cleaning products under the GSA program. This five-year contract, with options to extend up to 20 years, grants CleanCore access to a substantial $46 billion federal purchasing platform, significantly expanding its addressable market and establishing a new, sustainable growth channel.
3. Expanding Customer Base and Demand: CleanCore anticipates accelerated adoption of its patented aqueous ozone cleaning systems due to expanding demand from both new and existing customers. Recent achievements include securing a $1.37 million purchase order from a major U.S. customer, with portions carried forward into Q1 2026, and a multi-facility contract with a major logistics provider covering over 1,000 locations. The company has also secured contracts and deployments in the education and aviation sectors, including a major international airport in New York.
4. Shift to Direct Sales Recurring Revenue Model: The company has strategically transitioned to a direct sales recurring revenue model and expanded its customer pilot programs. While this shift initially led to a temporary dip in revenue and an increase in expenses in the short term, it is projected to result in sustainable and predictable revenue growth in the coming quarters.
5. Growing Demand for Green and Sustainable Cleaning Solutions: A fundamental driver for CleanCore Solutions is the increasing market demand for green cleaning and eco-friendly products. The company's patented aqueous ozone technology offers a safe, low-cost, and environmentally responsible alternative to traditional cleaning chemicals. The global cleaning services market is projected to reach $92.7 billion by 2027, indicating a substantial market opportunity for CleanCore's solutions.
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Share Repurchases
- As of November 10, 2025, CleanCore Solutions' CEO stated the company may consider a share repurchase program if the stock continues to trade at current levels, but no program has been approved or implemented.
Share Issuance
- CleanCore Solutions completed an Initial Public Offering (IPO) on April 30, 2024, issuing 1,250,000 shares of common stock at $4.00 per share, resulting in gross proceeds of $5,000,000. The net proceeds of approximately $3,760,000 were allocated for debt repayment, research and development, intellectual property, working capital, and general corporate purposes.
- On September 5, 2025, the company closed a private investment in public equity (PIPE) financing, generating approximately $175,000,420 in gross proceeds through the sale of 175,000,420 Pre-Funded Warrants. The net proceeds of roughly $123,687,255 were primarily used to acquire Dogecoin for its treasury, with smaller amounts for debt repayment and working capital.
- In August 2025, CleanCore strengthened its capital structure by converting over $600,000 of debt into equity and receiving over $400,000 from warrant conversions.
Inbound Investments
- CleanCore Solutions completed a $175 million private placement (PIPE) on September 5, 2025, with institutional and crypto-native investors, including MOZAYYX, Pantera, GSR, FalconX, and Borderless. This investment was primarily aimed at establishing an official Dogecoin Treasury.
Outbound Investments
- On April 17, 2025, CleanCore Solutions acquired Sanzonate Europe Ltd., Europe's largest distributor of aqueous ozone cleaning technologies. The acquisition was structured with a cash payment of $600,000, a $625,000 seller-financed promissory note, and potential earnout payments up to $1,250,000 over five years, thereby minimizing upfront costs and avoiding equity dilution.
- CleanCore has been actively accumulating Dogecoin (DOGE) for its Official Dogecoin Treasury, surpassing 500 million DOGE by September 11, 2025, with a short-term target of 1 billion DOGE and a long-term goal to secure up to 5% of Dogecoin's circulating supply. These acquisitions were largely funded by the $175 million PIPE.
Capital Expenditures
- CleanCore Solutions reported capital expenditures of approximately -$32,389 in the 12 months leading up to August 2025.
- Proceeds from the 2024 IPO were intended, in part, for research and development and intellectual property, which can be associated with capital expenditures.
Latest Trefis Analyses
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Trade Ideas
Select ideas related to ZONE. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11212025 | CNM | Core & Main | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 17.7% | 17.7% | -1.6% |
| 11212025 | VRRM | Verra Mobility | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 4.4% | 4.4% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | LII | Lennox International | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 6.3% | 6.3% | 0.0% |
| 11212025 | ADP | Automatic Data Processing | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 2.2% | 2.2% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | CW | Curtiss-Wright | Quality | Q | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and UpsideBuying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run | 6.3% | 6.3% | -0.4% |
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Peer Comparisons for CleanCore Solutions
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Financials
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Price | 98.77 |
| Mkt Cap | 13.0 |
| Rev LTM | 5,893 |
| Op Inc LTM | 1,023 |
| FCF LTM | 797 |
| FCF 3Y Avg | 987 |
| CFO LTM | 970 |
| CFO 3Y Avg | 1,120 |
Growth & Margins
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Rev Chg LTM | -2.2% |
| Rev Chg 3Y Avg | -0.7% |
| Rev Chg Q | -1.6% |
| QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM | -0.4% |
| Op Mgn LTM | 15.8% |
| Op Mgn 3Y Avg | 15.2% |
| QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM | -0.5% |
| CFO/Rev LTM | 13.9% |
| CFO/Rev 3Y Avg | 16.4% |
| FCF/Rev LTM | 9.7% |
| FCF/Rev 3Y Avg | 10.8% |
Price Behavior
| Market Price | $0.27 | |
| Market Cap ($ Bil) | 0.0 | |
| First Trading Date | 04/26/2024 | |
| Distance from 52W High | -96.0% | |
| 50 Days | 200 Days | |
| DMA Price | $0.67 | $2.39 |
| DMA Trend | down | down |
| Distance from DMA | -59.2% | -88.5% |
| 3M | 1YR | |
| Volatility | 149.7% | 143.6% |
| Downside Capture | 565.77 | 173.31 |
| Upside Capture | -457.81 | -4.86 |
| Correlation (SPY) | 10.5% | 7.8% |
| 1M | 2M | 3M | 6M | 1Y | 3Y | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta | 1.52 | 1.66 | 2.78 | 2.09 | 0.74 | -0.07 |
| Up Beta | -0.48 | -1.04 | -1.69 | -0.03 | 0.37 | 0.63 |
| Down Beta | 5.20 | 1.30 | 2.67 | 5.14 | 0.75 | -0.87 |
| Up Capture | -613% | -328% | -274% | -86% | 10% | 1% |
| Bmk +ve Days | 13 | 26 | 39 | 74 | 142 | 427 |
| Stock +ve Days | 6 | 12 | 19 | 51 | 111 | 174 |
| Down Capture | 536% | 514% | 589% | 318% | 140% | 102% |
| Bmk -ve Days | 7 | 16 | 24 | 52 | 107 | 323 |
| Stock -ve Days | 14 | 29 | 43 | 71 | 131 | 211 |
[1] Upside and downside betas calculated using positive and negative benchmark daily returns respectively
Based On 1-Year Data
nullBased On 5-Year Data
nullBased On 10-Year Data
nullReturns Analyses
Earnings Returns History
Expand for More| Forward Returns | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings Date | 1D Returns | 5D Returns | 21D Returns |
| 11/13/2025 | -11.8% | -21.3% | -37.6% |
| 8/22/2025 | 7.6% | 44.8% | -51.6% |
| 5/14/2025 | 8.1% | -6.4% | 91.3% |
| 2/14/2025 | -6.5% | -9.8% | -4.0% |
| 9/20/2024 | 14.3% | 2.6% | 11.0% |
| SUMMARY STATS | |||
| # Positive | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| # Negative | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Median Positive | 8.1% | 23.7% | 51.1% |
| Median Negative | -9.2% | -9.8% | -37.6% |
| Max Positive | 14.3% | 44.8% | 91.3% |
| Max Negative | -11.8% | -21.3% | -51.6% |
SEC Filings
Expand for More| Report Date | Filing Date | Filing |
|---|---|---|
| 12312023 | 4302024 | 424B4 12/31/2023 |
| 3312023 | 8112023 | DRS/A 3/31/2023 |
| 6302022 | 4212023 | DRS/A 6/30/2022 |
External Quote Links
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