Individuals Institutional

Call toll-free 800.328.1267

Market Insights

Bringing you the trading news around the world.

Market Pulse
Market Pulse: Cannabis Stocks Break Out as Legalization Spreads
David Russell
November 5, 2020

Cannabis stocks are coming back to life as states including New Jersey and Arizona legalized recreational marijuana use.

The news followed Tuesday’s election, which also featured state-level ballot initiatives. Montana and South Dakota passed similar measures. The market’s now anticipating further steps in other jurisdictions across the country.

Cannabis stocks have struggled since an initial wave of enthusiasm two years ago. However, 2020 has seen names with clearer business models outperform. (These companies tend to have more concrete value adds than simple growers, which is a commodity business.)

Some of the outperformers even before today’s surge:

  • GrowGeneration (GRWG): Retailer of hydroponic growing supplies. Up 363 percent YTD, as of Wednesday’s close.
  • Innovative Industrial Properties (IIPR): Owner of greenhouses. Up 76 percent YTD.
  • NewAge (NBEV): Maker of cannabis drinks. Up 49 percent YTD.

People were talking about a “blue wave” on Tuesday. Did we get a “green wave” instead?

Tags:

About the author

David Russell is Global Head of Market Strategy at TradeStation. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience as a financial journalist and analyst, his background includes equities, emerging markets, fixed-income and derivatives. He previously worked at Bloomberg News, CNBC and E*TRADE Financial. Russell systematically reviews countless global financial headlines and indicators in search of broad tradable trends that present opportunities repeatedly over time. Customers can expect him to keep them appraised of sector leadership, relative strength and the big stories – especially those overlooked by other commentators. He’s also a big fan of generating leverage with options to limit capital at risk.