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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: GW, Scotts Miracle-Gro, Cronos, CannTrust and Canopy

Zacks Equity Research

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL –July 10, 2019 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: GW Pharmaceuticals plc GWPH, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. SMG, Cronos Group Inc. CRON, CannTrust Holdings Inc. CTST and Canopy Growth Corp. CGC.

Here are highlights from Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:

5 Picks Ahead of Key Congressional Hearing on Marijuana Laws

On Jul 10, the U.S. House of Representatives will take up the question and discuss ways to end cannabis prohibition in the United States. The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security is likely to debate on existing legislative proposals, like the STATES Act, the Marijuana Justice Act, the Marijuana Freedom and Opportunity Act and the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act.

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A passage to these four bills will enable marijuana to get rid of the list of Schedule 1 drugs that are federally outlawed for any usage. Several economists and market researchers believe that these bills may pave the way for marijuana ETFs, which are likely to attract billions of dollars in investment.

Notably, in a significant development last month, the U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of several amendments to protect cannabis users in legal states. These amendments will prohibit federal agencies, especially the Department of Justice, from interfering with cannabis programs, individuals and businesses in legal states.

Marijuana Industry Blooming

The marijuana industry has strong potential especially after its legalization for recreational and medicinal use. Moreover, the industry is enjoying benefits of expansion into other industries like food, beverage, tobacco and cosmetics.

On May 31, the FDA held its first hearing to take a decision on whether companies can add CBD --- a non-intoxicating cannabis compound --- to food, beverages and dietary supplements. Several CBD manufacturers, researchers, farmers and retailers have urged the regulatory authority to allow the use of cannabis. In this regard, the FDA’s approval of CBD-based drug Epidiolex was a major achievement for the industry.

On Mar 28, the House Financial Services Committee voted 45-15 in favor of passing the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act of 2019 or the SAFE Banking Act. The bill seeks to safeguard the process of financial lending to cannabis companies in the United States.

This bill would not only protect the industry’s credit lines, but also aid cannabis ancillary industries in the country. The ancillary sector has been suffering from financial uncertainties associated with the legal status of marijuana in the past.

Strong Market Potential

According to Arcview Market Research’s annual report entitled "The State of Legal Cannabis Markets", the global cannabis market size is likely to reach $15 billion this year, implying a gain of 36% year over year. The report evaluates the total cannabinoid market, including sales of medical and recreational cannabis at dispensaries, hemp-derived products in CBD (non-psychoactive cannabidiol) and the U.S. FDA approved CBD-based pharmaceuticals.

As per MGO|ELLO Alliance, investment in the U.S cannabis industry reached $1.3 billion in the first half of 2019. Per Arcview Market Research and BDS Analytics, cannabis sales in dispensaries, retail stores and pharmacies are likely to grow nearly $45 billion globally by 2024. Of this, CBD products are likely to command $20 billion is sales in 2024.

Research firm Cowen projected that the market size of the U.S. legal cannabis industry will reach $75 billion by 2030. According to Barclays, the U.S. cannabis market would be $28 billion if legalized in 2019, and grow to $41 billion by 2028.

Likely Gainers

The marijuana industry is considered extremely volatile. Most of these companies are in their early stages of development and characterized as risky for investors. However, cannabis stocks are solid long-term bets. Of these, stocks with a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better and having solid long-term growth potential are worth trying out despite the latent risks. We have narrowed down our search to five such stocks.

GW Pharmaceuticals plc is a biopharmaceutical company, focusing on discovering, developing, and commercializing cannabinoid prescription medicines using botanical extracts derived from the Cannabis plant. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 89.7% and 90.8% for the current quarter and next year, respectively. The stock has surged 77.8% year to date.

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Co.is the world’s leading marketer of branded consumer lawn and garden as well as hydroponic growing products especially pot. In April 2018, the company acquired hydroponic equipment maker Sunlight Supply to enter into the pot business. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #2.

The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 16% and 16.7% for the current quarter and current year, respectively. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter and year has improved 1.3% and 0.9%, respectively, over the last 60 days. The stock has surged 62.9% year to date.

Cronos Group Inc.invests in firms that are licensed to produce and sell medical marijuana pursuant to Canada's Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #2.

The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 137.5% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 400% over the last 60 days. The stock has surged 45.3% year to date.

CannTrust Holdings Inc. produces and distributes medical and recreational cannabis in Canada. It sells dried cannabis and cannabis extracts to the medical patients. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #2. The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 90.9% for the current year.

Canopy Growth Corp.engages in growing, possession, and sale of medical cannabis in Canada. Its products include dried flowers, oils and concentrates, softgel capsules and hemps. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #3. The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 9.7% and 48.4% for the current quarter and current year, respectively. The stock has surged 46.9% year to date.

More Stock News: This Is Bigger than the iPhone!

It could become the mother of all technological revolutions. Apple sold a mere 1 billion iPhones in 10 years but a new breakthrough is expected to generate more than 27 billion devices in just 3 years, creating a $1.7 trillion market.

Zacks has just released a Special Report that spotlights this fast-emerging phenomenon and 6 tickers for taking advantage of it. If you don't buy now, you may kick yourself in 2020.

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Zacks Investment Research

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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.


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GW Pharmaceuticals PLC (GWPH) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (SMG) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Canopy Growth Corporation (CGC) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Cronos Group Inc. (CRON) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
CannTrust Holdings Inc. (CTST) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
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