Should You Buy The Dip In Marijuana ETFs Ahead Of Earnings?

Marijuana stocks have been under pressure of late. Many stocks suffered last month following Canadian grower Hexo’s (HEXO) lowering of its fourth-quarter revenue forecast and withdrawal of its fiscal 2020 outlook.

On Oct 28, Hexo reported net losses about 57 million Canadian dollars for the quarter compared with 7.8 million in the prior quarter. Losses were three times larger than analysts’ estimates.

If this was not enough, Hexo said that it would roll back a planned product launch in the United States and said new derivative products would come online within the first half of next year, behind rivals. The entire Hexo event spread pessimism in the space and marijuana stocks were heavily hurt in the past month (read: Top and Flop ETFs of October).

Many Key Pot Stocks Likely to Beat in November

All is not looking gloomy at this stage. Many key companies are reporting earnings in mid-November. And these stocks have high chances of reporting earnings beat.

According to our methodology, the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of an earnings beat. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

The $7.14-billion company Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE:CGC) – which offers dry cannabis and oil products primarily under the Tweed and Bedrocan brands –is looking to display strength as it nears its earnings release. Ithas a Zacks Rank #3 and an Earnings ESP of +28.57%. The stock comes from a top-ranked Zacks industry (top 40%).

The Zacks consensus estimate for Canopy Growth is a loss of 26 cents per share, which would represent year-over-year growth of 65.79%. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is $85.21 million, suggesting growth of 377.38% from the year-ago period.

Pharmaceutical company Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ:TLRY) , which has a market cap of $2.16 billion, is due to report on Nov 12. It has a Zacks Rank #3 and an Earnings ESP of +2.18%. It belongs to a top-ranked Zacks industry (top 16%). The Zacks consensus estimate is a loss of 29 cents per share (down 262.5% year over year) and estimate for revenues of $50.26 million (up 400.1% year over year).

The $3.63 billion-Aurora Cannabis Inc. (TSX:ACB) has a Zacks Rank #3 and an Earnings ESP of +25.76%. The Zacks consensus estimate is a loss of 3 cents per share, which would represent year-over-year growth of 65.79%. Though earnings projection suggests a 133.33% of decline, Zacks consensus estimate for revenues is $74.22 million. Revenues indicates 226.8% year-over-year expansion. The stock comes from a top-ranked Zacks industry (top 40%).

In October, Aphria Inc. (TSX:APHA) reported a break-even for Q1, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 3 cents. This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of 100%. The reported figure compares to earnings of 7 cents per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. The stock has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and hails from a top-ranked Zacks industry (top 40%).

ETFs to Play

Against this backdrop, investors can tap marijuana ETFs likeGlobal X Cannabis ETF (BO:POTX) , Amplify Seymour Cannabis ETF CNBS, AdvisorShares Pure Cannabis ETF (LON:YOLO) , The Cannabis ETF THCX and Cambria Cannabis ETF TOKE and ETFMG Alternative Harvest ETF (CSE:MJ) . These funds lost in the range of 5.8% to 12.6% in the past month and thus offer good entry points if the afore-said companies come up with stellar earnings results.

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