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Better Buy: Beyond Meat vs. Blue Apron

6 years 4 months ago
We're now a summer removed from the day that Blue Apron Holdings (NYSE: APRN) and Beyond Meat (NASDAQ: BYND) became partners. The provider of gourmet meal kits teamed up with the fast-growing provider of plant-based foods to offer Beyond Burger patties to enhance its existing v

Is Hydroxychloroquine a Cure for COVID-19?

6 years 4 months ago
As COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus, spread throughout the world, researchers have been testing both old and new treatments in attempts to find a cure. One that has drawn particular attention is hydroxychloroquine, a common malaria drug.

Got $1,000? Here Are 3 Nonprofits Deserving of Your Money

6 years 4 months ago
If you've ever donated to a nonprofit, you know how rewarding it is to contribute to a worthy cause. Nonprofit health organizations bridge the gap between public and private resources by disseminating information, contributing directly to key efforts or individuals, and advocati

Should You Buy Genius Brands Stock?

6 years 4 months ago
When the internet becomes infatuated with a stock, that's a red flag for long-term investors, but it's not always a sign that you should stay away. Genius Brands (NASDAQ: GNUS) has been the subject of much online speculation as day traders have bid up the stock of the company th

3 Ways the Coronavirus Strips Social Security of Funding

6 years 4 months ago
For years, experts have warned that Social Security is in serious financial trouble. In fact, the most recent projections from the Social Security trustees indicated the program's trust fund will run short in 2035, requiring a major cut to benefits. And the coronavirus isn't hel

The 3 Best Coronavirus Stocks to Buy for Long-Term Investors

6 years 4 months ago
Let's face it: Some companies that are receiving a lot of hype right now about their COVID-19 programs won't have staying power. Small biotechs claiming to have a game-changing treatment on the way could run into the harsh realities of clinical testing. Diagnostic test makers wi

Hertz Implosion Could Cripple Ford and General Motors

6 years 4 months ago
It's easy for investors in Ford (NYSE: F) and General Motors (NYSE: GM), or other automakers, to brush off Hertz's (NYSE: HTZ) recent bankruptcy thinking it has no effect on the manufacturers. But that thinking could be wildly incorrect, and in fact Hertz's bankruptcy could actu

2 Ways the Cannabis Industry Is Shooting Itself in the Foot

6 years 4 months ago
There's a growing movement for marijuana legalization in the U.S. and around the world. And a key part in winning regulators over is in showing them that the industry can be trusted to govern itself. However, the problem for the industry is that there's too much excitement surro

SEC Chair Clayton Nominated as US Attorney for New York

6 years 4 months ago

Related: Drug Dealer Just Sentenced to 25 Years Hoped to Build a Better Bitcoin Miner

“His management experience and expertise in financial regulation give him an ideal background to lead the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, and he will be a worthy successor to the many historic figures who have held that post.”

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LiveXLive Media (LIVX) in Focus: Stock Moves 5.3% Higher

6 years 4 months ago
LiveXLive Media, Inc. LIVX was a big mover last session, as the company saw its shares rise more than 5% on the day. The move came on solid volume too with far more shares changing hands than in a normal session. This breaks the recent trend of the company, as the stock is now t

Aurora Cannabis Leap Frogs Canopy Growth as a Better Investment

6 years 4 months ago

For years now, Aurora Cannabis (ACB) and Canopy Growth (CGC) have traded in near lockstep based on the global growth potential of cannabis. The latest quarterly results set Aurora Cannabis a step ahead of their prime competitor in Canada.

Aurora Cannabis reported an exceptional turnaround quarter for March, but the stock has taken a hit following the weak Canopy Growth results at the end of May. Oddly, Aurora Cannabis now appears better positioned to thrive having already had to tighten their financial purse strings due to cash concerns.

Value Brand Shift

Canopy Growth called out a prime reason for their failure to hit revenue targets in the March quarter due to the market shift to value brands. Aurora Cannabis made this move to shift production towards the value brand Daily Special in early Q1.

For this reason, Aurora Cannabis saw recreational cannabis sales grow sequentially by C$8 million to C$42 million. Canopy Growth saw recreational cannabis slip by C$20 million to C$49 million. Canopy Growth was too busy focused on the struggling cannabis beverages startup and missed the recreational cannabis shift to more affordable products to compete against illegal weed.

Aurora Cannabis has already shown an ability to shift quicker than Canopy Growth. The latter is still going through a complete leadership change with executives from the liquor sector possibly not as familiar with cannabis.   

Focus, Focus, Focus

One of my biggest complaints about the Canadian cannabis LPs was the focus on global operations. The companies were going after massive markets in Canada, the U.S. and in Europe, Latin America, Australia and even Africa. The vast operations made little sense for companies trying to build new markets. Building market share in recreational cannabis in Canada and CBD in the U.S. was more than complicated enough for executive leaders to not need further operations in Germany, Columbia or Australia.

Aurora Cannabis made the decision in February to reduce operating costs by over 50% to below C$45 million per quarter. The company shifted out of most international locations with a focused shifted to Canada, U.S. and Germany.

The Canadian company has a singular focus on profitable growth now while Canopy Growth still appears to be investing in money losing businesses for a payoff in out years. Aurora Cannabis now has the upper hand here with a path to EBITDA profits in the September quarter while Canopy Growth pulled guidance for the rest of the year while generating substantial EBITDA losses in the March quarter.

C$27 Price Target

What would you tell someone if they were to ask you, “Should I buy Aurora Cannabis stock right now?” For Cantor analyst Pablo Zuanic the answer is quite clear — the analyst sees the stock as a plant that keeps blossoming.

"ACB is a company with a credible turnaround plan, not going bust, and with little further dilution risk. ACB is a close #2 in Canada rec to Canopy Growth; it is #1 in Canada med with share north of 40%; and it has reconfigured its international business, but its opportunities are not less than those of peers," Zuanic noted.

Wieser rates ACB a Buy along with a C$27 price target, which implies nearly 50% upside from current levels.

Takeaway

The key investor takeaway is that the valuation equation for Aurora Cannabis is far more compelling here as the market has pushed the stock back down below $14. The stock has a far better valuation at $1.5 billion with FY21 sales estimates near $300 million while Canopy Growth trades at $6.3 billion with sales estimates near $400 million.

Aurora Cannabis is a far better deal, if an investor can purchase the stock closer to my $10 target. Regardless, the company has leap frogged Canopy Growth as the better investment due to their improved financials.

To find good ideas for cannabis stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks’ Best Stocks to Buy, a newly launched tool that unites all of TipRanks’ equity insights.

Disclosure: No position.

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