Shares of Tilray and other Cannabis stocks were pumped and dumped by Reddit group WallStreetBets. But there is more to weed stocks than WSB.
Reddit has built up another stock-buying short-squeezing frenzy - this time in Tilray (TLRY), which soared 50% in one day but gave up the gains the day after.
But there is a bigger picture to both Tilray and the wider Cannabis sector. Year-to-date Tilray stock is up over 500%. Last year Tilray stock began its climb after it announced a merger with rival Aphria and a series of events have built up investor confidence in 2021.
Some pumping and dumping is taking place here! The involvement of Reddit means an improving outlook for the industry has turned into a frenzy. We think it is best to split the outlook into two.
Based on the GameStop experience, the short term rise and fall in the price will last a week but perhaps less now that short-sellers are more attuned to the risk. The bigger picture is more interesting and given how far Cannabis stocks have dropped since the 2018/19 bubble popped. There is more room for catch-up.
We have identified a few areas where Cannabis has long term potential.
Democrats taking control of the Senate significantly improves the chance of new Cannabis legislation in the US. Religious conservatives among Senate Republicans had been the main force behind keeping the failed 'war on drugs' in place while more and more States are legalizing both medicinal and recreational marijuana use.
Tilray and Aphria is probably the start of more consolidation among the big players in Canada. If not full-blown M&A then partnerships between the different parts of the industry from growers/distributors to biotech to big consumer brands will enable quicker and more international growth.
The firms involved in the 2018/19 stock bubble have all been working hard to bring down costs and streamline operations since the bubble popped. The biggest Cannabis company in the world, Canopy Growth says it expects to earn a profit in the second half of 2022.
The path to widespread acceptance of Cannabis is still a bumpy one, especially in the United States which would be by far the biggest market for Cannabis products and would also set the ball rolling in other parts of the world- including South America.
A short term retail mania may delay or event prevent more stable investment into the industry. Big investors will stay away if price multiples remain unattractive because of short-term bubble-like conditions. Still, that hasn’t stopped Tesla (TSLA) !
Joe didn’t get marijuana reform done when he was number two under Obama and the risk is we get a repeat. Obama prioritised other issues like healthcare and then Democrats lost the Senate. Biden as well as Congress have to deal with pressing issues like the covid-19 pandemic and the trade war with China, meaning Cannabis reform might not get a look in.
For those investing into Cannabis, the age-old rule applies - diversification. The big Canadian companies have first-mover advantage but picking long term winners in a fast growing industry is always tricky. Fortunately there are a number of funds and ETFs specializing in Cannabis stocks.
ETFMG Alternative Harvest ETF (MJ)
The benchmark ETF for the Cannabis industry with highest Assets under management (AUM)
AdvisorShares Pure Cannabis ETF (YOLO)
A favourite among Reddit traders given its ticker (You only live once!)
Amplify Seymour Cannabis ETF (CNBS)
Aims at exposure to the ‘global’ cannabis industry with holdings outside the US Canada
Spinnaker Pure Cannabis ETF (THCX)
A 'pure play' Cannabis ETF focused in both and value companies, mostly in Canada