Bank 100% with the Best Marijuana Stock to Buy Today

We’ve been telling you for some time about the top pot stocks to watch.

Today, we’ve got a slightly different story about the best marijuana stock to buy today.

It’s Money Morning Director of Cannabis Investing Research Greg Miller’s top pick.

best marijuana stocks to buy today

It’s Aphria Inc. (NYSE: APHA).

And Greg Miller believes that the share price of the best marijuana stock to buy today has been beaten down by the actions of short sellers. As a result, investors can benefit.

We believe APHA could double investors’ money in 2019.

Here’s why…

Short Selling and How It Works

Traders sell stocks short by borrowing shares from other investors and selling them on the market. Short sellers hope that they can buy back shares at a reduced price when it’s time to give back shares to the folks they borrowed them from. They then return the borrowed shares at a lower price and make a profit from the price differential between when they borrowed and when they returned.

But if the prices of the shares they’ve borrowed actually rise, short sellers stand to lose money. In fact, they can lose an infinite amount of money, since the share price could theoretically climb continually.

So Miller says that sometimes short sellers take matters into their own hands. They publicize that a company is riddled with problems via articles and television appearances, for instance. If investors are then convinced to sell the stock, the price is more likely to decline. And that’s good news for short sellers.

But if a company targeted by short sellers is in fact in good shape, knowledgeable traders can make money by doing the opposite of the short sellers.

Take the example of Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE: HLF) back in 2014. HLF shares were hit hard when Bill Ackman, a prominent hedge fund manager, took a billion-dollar short position on HLF.

He took to TV, print, and even conferences to tell investors Herbalife was a doomed company. But his gambit failed when investors weren’t fooled. Ultimately, Ackman had to abandon his position at a massive loss.

In the past year, HLF has risen 67%. Revenue climbed 7.7%. Its EBITA rose 4%, and its free cash flow at a 1.2% rate. The company enjoys cash of $1.28 billion and has debt of $2.17 billion.

It’s a strong company financially, so Ackman’s war was ultimately defeated by business growth and good financials.

We believe that Aphria is in a similar situation now.

Why Aphria Is the Best Marijuana Stock to Buy Today

Short sellers are currently alleging that Aphria made illegal transactions in overseas markets, including Colombia, Argentina, and Jamaica.

Aphria didn’t respond quickly enough, and the shares took a hit. But because we believe there is scant substance to the claims, the shares are currently undervalued.

Aphria shares fell a huge 70% between Sept. 12, 2018, and its low point. In fact, after research firms Quintessential Capital Management and Hindenburg Research questioned its Latin American acquisitions in early December, the stock dropped 23% in a single day.

The stock’s trading was halted the day after.

Aphria management, however, said it’s committed to its acquisitions. Then, it purchased over $3.1 million of APHA – a vote of management confidence.

Purchases like that by company insiders is a testimony to what the company’s actual financial position and growth prospects are.

Miller points out that the allegations about Aphria don’t really hold up. One of the allegations, for example, is that the company’s cash flow is negative. But that’s a common issue among both companies engaged in marijuana and in startups. They are still in the development stage.

Other allegations center around product quality. But Miller observes that the company’s business model is mass-market consumers, not high-end. In fact, it’s analogous to Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A. (NYSE: BUD), the company that produces Budweiser. Plenty of money can be made producing products for the bulk of people, not for the artisanal crowd.

Neither of these reasons is compelling, in Miller’s view.

But the short sellers’ final argument is really the worst. And it could be the impetus to double investors’ money in the best marijuana stock to buy today.

The Last Allegation

Short sellers are also claiming that Aphria overpaid for assets because insiders wanted the money.

Miller doesn’t believe that claim. He says that the chief executive officer of Aphria, Vic Neufeld, is also on the board of directions of SOL Global Holdings. SOL is a company that did sell assets to Aphria. But a CEO sitting on another board is extremely common. Neufeld’s holdings in SOL were under 2%.

He therefore wouldn’t profit much for the risk of impropriety. Without firm evidence, the claim can’t be substantiated.

But there’s good news coming out of this. APHA retained Clarus Securities Inc.for an independent appraisal and fairness opinion. Clarus is a highly important investment bank that works with the Canadian marijuana sector.

Miller believes the allegations are hot air that can’t hold up. But the damage inflicted on the stock does create a buying opportunity for investors.

Aphria is one of the best five marijuana firms in Canada. Given the importance of the Canadian market, that means it’s one of the top cannabis companies today.

The stock currently trades near lows it hasn’t seen in 15 months. It also has a past pattern of huge swings in price. Both position investors to make a profit in the best marijuana stock to buy today.

Aphria is approved by Health Canada, which is very important in its market. Its agreements for distribution throughout Canada still stand. And our neighbor to the north doesn’t have enough marijuana to meet demand in the wake of the 2018 legalization.

Company management has faith in Aphria, as witnessed by management buying more shares.

We believe this is a compelling company at a compelling price.

Even if APHA just returns to its November 2018 levels, which were under the high for last year, investors could realize a 100% profit on the stock.

Source: Money Morning News Team

7 Long-Term Value Stocks to Buy Now

Let’s take a longer-term investing perspective. Which are the stocks you should be buying now for maximum long-term gains? This is the question asked by analysts over at Mizuho Securities.

“We challenged each of our analysts to select the stock that he/she believes would most likely provide long-term value for our clients” says the firm. The result: a highly valuable report revealing each analyst’s top stock pick. These names range from a $65 billion biotech company to a $48 billion industrial company. And with prices generally depressed right now, many of these stocks are trading at bargain levels.

Here we delve into why each analyst is so bullish on their chosen stock. Let’s take a closer look at these top long-term stocks to buy now:

biogen stock

Source: Biogen via YouTube

Biogen (NASDAQ:BIIB) has a dominant position in neuroscience. The company has a leading portfolio of medicines to treat multiple sclerosis (MS). It also offers the only FDA-approved treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

To top it off, Biogen also boasts an extensive pipeline of new medicines in development. This includes Aducanumab for Alzheimer’s disease. It is estimated that over 25 million individuals are living with Alzheimer’s worldwide.

The memory loss of Alzheimer’s disease is linked to amyloid plaques, abnormal protein deposits that build up in the brain. Aducanumab is an antibody that binds to and may reduce amyloid plaques from the brain, potentially slowing the disease.

“2019 will likely be a big year for BIIB as investors prepare for Aducanumab’s Phase 3 data in Alzheimer’s, slated to be released at the end of 2019/early 2020. This will likely be an incredibly high profile catalyst, not just for Biogen, but for the therapeutics space in general” writes Mizuho’s Salim Syed (Track Record & Ratings).

If the trial works, it could send BIIB stock up $100-plus (about $33%) from current levels. “Potential moves of this magnitude are rarely seen in Large-Cap Biotech and, in our view, sets up the possibility of FOMO (fear of missing out) trade” he says. According to Syed, Aducanumab’s profile is the most compelling, with a 70% success probability. Interested in Biogen stock? Get a free BIIB Stock Research Report.

Long-Term Stocks To Buy: Facebook (FB)

Source: Shutterstock

Ok so Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) had a pretty challenging 2018. The New York Times published a blockbuster expose recently. They claimed that the social network knew about Russian interference in the U.S. elections, but held back the information for “over a year.” Facebook has denied these claims.

Whether or not this is true, James Lee (Track Record & Ratings) still selects FB as his top long-term value pick. He has a buy rating on the stock with a $220 price target. From current levels, that works out at juicy upside potential of close to 55%. Lee is sticking with his bullish thesis on FB for three main reasons:

  • The transition to FB Stories is on track for success based on increased demand and pricing leverage for Instagram stories;
  • The recent price weakness resulting from the Times articles is overstated. He does not expect advertisers to meaningfully alter their ad budgets on FB (because of the platform’s scale and efficiency); and
  • The valuation is very compelling at 7x 2020 EBITDA. “This is a steep discount to the firm’s estimated growth rate of 20% and below Google’s multiple” writes Lee.

The analyst concludes: “We expect products yet to fully monetize to deliver a 60% upside over our estimated 2020 ARPU, the highest in our coverage universe.” Get the FB Stock Research Report.

Long-Term Stocks To Buy: FirstEnergy (FE)

Source: Erik Drost via Flickr

Arizona based FirstEnergy (NYSE:FE) is an electric services company worth following. In 2018, while the rest of the market faltered, FE put on a 23% sprint.

“We are recommending FirstEnergy as our top large-cap utility pick because of the above-average long-term 6%-8% EPS growth and a dividend policy to match” writes Mizuho’s Paul Fremont (Track Record & Ratings).

At its EEI conference, FE reaffirmed this growth rate and announced a lucrative new dividend policy of 6% increases. This is with a targeted payout ratio of 55-65%. Indeed, the company currently pays out a quarterly dividend of $0.38.

Also worth bearing in mind is a slew of significant regulatory milestones. These include a settlement in Ohio in the Grid Modernization and Tax Reform proceedings as well as an approval from the Bankruptcy Court on FES in September.

“With these regulatory milestones in the past, we believe FirstEnergy can focus on its fully regulated utility strategy with significant growth in its Transmission & Distribution business segments” writes Fremont. The company is currently modelling for strong Transmission & Distribution earnings and Rate Base Growth of 11% and 5% respectively. Get the FE Stock Research Report.

Long-Term Stocks To Buy: GrubHub (GRUB)

Source: Shutterstock

GrubHub (NYSE:GRUB) is a web commerce platform for ordering and delivering take-out food. And with over 50,000 restaurants in 1,100-plus cities, GRUB means food delivery or takeout is just a click away.

“We remain convinced that GrubHub will emerge as the primary winner in online delivery over the next decade” cheers Mizuho Securities analyst Jeremy Scott (Track Record & Ratings). His $145 price target translates into massive upside potential of 90%.

Perhaps what’s most compelling about GrubHub is its unique focus. “As the company’s competitors have zigged into building out new expensive verticals, Grub has zagged into redoubling its efforts to drive a stronger connection with its restaurant partners.” the analyst explains.

Ultimately these investments should solidify its standing as the most effective and least conflicted partner for chained restaurants. “It’s a key, yet we believe underestimated competitive advantage, and it drives our call that GrubHub will be the primary winner of delivery disruption” sums up Scott. Get the GRUB Stock Research Report.

Long-Term Stocks To Buy: Occidental Petroleum (OXY)

Source: Hayden Irwin via Flickr

Texas-based Occidental Petroleum (NYSE:OXY) is an international oil and gas exploration and production company with operations across the U.S., the Middle East and Latin America.

With a 4%-plus dividend yield, visibility on free cash flow and capital spending through 2022, and high-quality Permian assets, this is a top stock to track.

“Having reached its cash neutrality target earlier in the year, we think the company will begin growing dividends more aggressively starting next year, and we think this is underappreciated by investors” states Mizuho’s Paul Sankey (Track Record & Ratings).

As dividend growth becomes more meaningful, shares will re-rate towards their historical premium, says Sankey. Right now the company pays out 78 cents per quarter, on a yield of 4.7%. Compare that to the average basic materials dividend yield of 2.64%.

“Our top pick in E&P” adds the analyst. “That’s with an $82 price target, suggesting around 30% upside from current levels. OXY is trading at a ~0.3x turn discount to our US E&P basket, vs. a ~0.5 turn relative premium over the past one and three years.” Get the OXY Stock Research Report.

Long-Term Stocks To Buy: Williams Companies (WMB)

Source: Shutterstock

Williams Companies (NYSE:WMB) boasts 33,000 miles of pipelines — including America’s largest-volume and fastest- growing pipeline — providing natural gas for clean power generation, heating, and industrial use.

According to the company, demand for natural gas is tremendous and continues to grow. This is because gas is cleaner, less expensive and more efficient than other fuels capable of meeting around-the-clock energy demand.

“Strategically, the company is likely to stick to its focus on natural gas infrastructure, and we think its growth outlook will support an attractive double-digit dividend growth CAGR’ says Mizuho’s Gabe Moreen (Track Record & Ratings). That’s with a price target of $32 (36% upside potential).

He sees the possibility of additional asset sales as a positive catalyst for the stock. Selling non-core assets can both free up capital and de-lever the balance sheet. “We think it is likely that WMB elects to sell some of its West segment’s gathering systems, which could fetch attractive valuations” says Moreen. Get the WMB Stock Research Report.

Long-Term Stocks To Buy: FibroGen (FGEN)

Source: Shutterstock

FibroGen (NASDAQ:FGEN) creates first-in-class medicines to treat life-threatening conditions such as anemia, pulmonary fibrosis, and pancreatic cancer.

The stock has the thumbs up from Mizuho’s Difei Yang (Track Record & Ratings). This top-rated analyst singles out FibroGen with a $74 price target (63% upside potential). With shares trading at just $45, she spies meaningful upside on the back of upcoming potential catalysts.

Right now that involves the biotech’s lead product candidate, roxadustat. Yang believes this is likely to be a first-in-class for the treatment of anemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Indeed the company has just announced positive top-line efficacy results. That’s from not one but three global phase III trials of the drug at the end of December. The next step- and potentially sizable catalyst- is the upcoming MACE event. This is the read-out of cardiovascular safety data due in 1H19.

“We believe the MACE data will likely be share moving in 2019 and has potential to differentiate roxadustat from a commercial standpoint vs. competitors” writes Yang. She has an 85% probability of success for roxadustat, and estimates $734 mil peak-sales in 2025. Get the FGEN Stock Research Report.

TipRanks.com offers exclusive insights for investors by focusing on the moves of experts: Analysts, Insiders, Bloggers, Hedge Fund Managers and more. See what the experts are saying about your stocks now at TipRanks.com. As of this writing, Harriet Lefton did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.

Source: Investor Place