Paul Mampilly’s huge marketing machine at Banyan Hill tends to drive a lot of questions our way, and this latest one about a medical marijuana stock caught my eye… but I should warn you up front that it’s a teaser ad that’s very light on clues… today we’re going to have to do some guessing.
So what’s the story? Well, Mampilly’s promoting his $10 Million Portfolio ($4,995 one time fee, no refunds, plus $499/year for ongoing access), which is the hole of the marketing funnel and, if Banyan Hill is like other publishers, by far the most profitable one.
This service is promoted as using Mampilly’s “GAP Strategy”, which he describes using an acronym:
“G stands for ground floor.
“A stands for accelerated profits.
“And P stands for peak pessimism.”
From the examples he gives, most of which were either highly levered investments made during the financial crisis (like Paulson’s bet against mortgages, or Berkshire’s “rescue” investment in Bank of America) or picks of companies that were on the verge of bankruptcy, it seems to basically mean, “buy hated stuff.”
Which is certainly a time-tested strategy, if you can buy what other people don’t want to buy you’ve improved your odds of “winning.” You haven’t made the odds of success 100%, not even close (there’s usually a really good reason why no one else wants to buy those stocks, of course), but you’ve increased the chances that you’re buying at a good price.
So what is it that we’re being teased with today? Last time out, Mampilly was teasing Fannie Mae (FNMA), which certainly fits the “beaten down” stock that no one else loves, and it so happened that he had great timing — his pitch came out just after the market bottomed, and just as the chatter about another attempt at re-capitalizing or reforming the federal home loan guarantors heated up again, so the stock just about doubled in the past month.
This time… well, I’m not going to be as definitive as I was in answering that teaser question on January 4, but I’ll check out the few clues and give you a guess or two.
Here’s how the stock is hinted at in Mampilly’s ad:
“I am moments away from releasing a brand-new trade recommendation for my elite The $10 Million Portfolio readers….
“… this stock sits at ground zero in one of the most explosive markets I’ve seen in decades — medical marijuana….”
And he gets more specific about the timing of his upcoming recommendation in some versions of the ad:
“This Wednesday, I will be issuing a critical trade recommendation for members of The $10 Million Portfolio research service.
“In fact, it may be one of the most important picks I’ve made … at any time.”
(In case you’re wondering, I first started receiving this ad on Friday afternoon, February 8… so presumably that means he’ll be releasing this lightly-teased idea to his subscribers in a couple days, on Wednesday, February 13.)
Anything specific that the Thinkolator can chew on? We do get this:
“You see, this ‘off-the-radar’ pot stock company expects its revenues to soar from $15 million in 2018 to $601 million in 2020.”
That’s a huge number, by the way. Even giant Canopy Growth (CGC), long the highest-profile of the Canadian marijuana companies, is only expected to have about $600 million in revenue in 2020 ($618 million is the average estimate by analysts).
(No, he’s not teasing Canopy Growth — CGC had more than $70 million in revenue in 2018).
So… which stock could this be?
There are a number of possibilities…
Curaleaf Holdings (CURA.CX, CURLF) — this US cultivation and dispensary rollup had about $16 million in revenue in the third quarter last year, and no revenue in the prior quarters, so you could stretch that to be a match… and there are two analysts giving 2020 revenue guesses for this one, averaging out to $595 million. Not particularly at a “pessimistic” price at the moment, it did dip a bit after they went public at the end of October at a crazy valuation but it is now back to very close to that C$11 initial share price. Curaleaf focuses on “medical and wellness” and the investment case is similar to a few others like MedMen who are trying to build out big multi-state networks to take advantage of advancing (but not too fast) US legalization (as long as marijuana remains a schedule 1 drug in the US, interstate transport remains illegal — and a lot of states require that cultivation, processing and retail all be handled within the state).
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Harvest Health & Recreation (HARV.CX, HTHHF) didn’t have any revenue to speak of in the first three quarters of last year, but is forecast (by one or two analysts, at least) to have $15.8 million in the fourth quarter… with an average forecast of $548 million for 2020 revenue. This one is nowhere near “peak pessimism,” though, it started trading a few months ago and is at all-time highs right now.
WeedMD (WMD.V, WDDMF), which is seeking to differentiate itself in part with medical products, including CBD and THC oils for the senior care segment, and which says it has a catalogue of seeds and plants that are being used by other producers. I don’t see any real forecast of $600 million in 2020 revenue by the company or anyone else, and the stock is not particularly beaten down at the moment, but it is a current revenue match, to some extent, with C$14.5 million in revenue over the past four quarters.
And The Green Organic Dutchman (TGOD.TO, TGODF) is a pretty good match on the numbers as well, they have just started posting revenue and are forecast to have $14.7 million in revenue for 2018 and $600 million in 2020… and while they are not entirely medical (they are positioning themselves as an organic grower, for the most part, with facilities in Quebec and Ontario), they are pushing the angle that medical marijuana customers value organic products (and, of course, that organic marijuana trades at a premium to the regular stuff). And they are somewhat beaten down, the stock has been weak for several months and trades at less than half of the October highs.
So those are certainly possibilities, and you’ll have to make your guess as to which one might fit Mampilly’s criteria best… but for my part, my guess is that he’s teasing a truly beaten down stock, Namaste Technologies (N.V, NXTTF).
Don’t buy this stock because I’m guessing that, by the way. I don’t particularly like to write about teasers when I don’t have at least 99% certainty that I’m right, so I want to be clear that this is not an answer… it’s a guess. The Green Organic Dutchman or Curaleaf might easily be better matches (or better stocks, though I’m not buying any of the stocks I’m mentioning here), this is mostly just a hunch.
Why? Because there is real company-specific pessimism washing over this stock, and because Namaste pitches itself very specifically as trying to dominate one specific part of medical marijuana: matching the right patients with the right strains, using their telemedicine app and their database of available products (and delivery methods).
It might all be hooey, of course, the company has been dreadfully managed and recently fired its CEO because of the crazy promises he made at completely inappropriate company events, but that’s the claim they’re making.
Namaste really started out, and mostly still exists, as an online vendor of vape pens and associated products. They have been pitched a few times as the “Amazon of Weed” (a comparison they covet, of course), and they have basically started or acquired websites that sell vaping products in a bunch of different countries.
Their acquisition of Cannmart, which has now received the first “sales only” license from Health Canada, gives them the license to sell cannabis from different Canadian and international suppliers (and to grow it, though they say growing is not their intent), and the hope is that they’ll be able to sell a large variety of different strains from around the world and use use their artificial intelligence platform to best match consumers/patients to strains…. also leveraging the large customer base from their existing vape-product ecommerce operation, and integrating their NamasteMD “patient consultation” portal that can provide the telemedicine connection.
And, to be clear, I’m not buying the stock and wouldn’t recommend it to anyone — it’s just that it is the stock that’s a relatively close match, is not really trading with the pot sector overall, and might be close to some interpretation of “maximum pessimism” now that they’ve fired the CEO and initiated a “strategic review” that could even end up with the company being sold. The company issued a letter to shareholders that was full of optimism about their future on Friday, but it’s obviously a tumultuous time for the firm and I have no idea how it will end up. And, of course, the last few months of upheaval mean the company is quite distracted by lawsuits, both from shareholders and from their former CEO.
Namaste does not have any real analyst coverage, but it did report C$18.5 million in revenue in their fiscal year ending in August… which us US$14.5 million. I have not seen a public forecast of $600 million in revenue for Namaste for 2020 (or any other year), so that helps to reinforce that this is a guess.
The marijuana stocks are mostly down today, I assume that’s because we’re heading into the first real reporting period that will make any financial sense for the big Canadian marijuana operators — Canopy Growth (CGC), Aurora Cannabis (ACB) and Tilray (TLRY) should all be announcing their first quarters since Canada’s recreational legalization this week, so we’re going to begin to learn a little bit about what pricing has been like, how demand was in the first few weeks (they’re mostly reporting quarters that ended in November, not December, so data will be limited), and how these large producers are doing… with, perhaps, some guidance about how they see the market shaping up this year.
So sentiment about those results is likely to drive the whole marijuana stock market for this week… and yes, that might include results from Namaste, which would normally be on schedule to report earnings right around now, too, but has not announced a date. This isn’t the first time that Namaste has graced these pages, by the way — it was pitched as Tom Gardner’s favorite marijuana stock back in October, just as Citron’s short report drew attention to some of the unsavory stuff going on (though that recommendation might not have lasted long — as of January, Namaste was still disclosed as a Motley Fool recommendation, but last week when they posted a story about the CEO’s departure it was no longer listed in those footnotes).
And with that, I’ll leave you to your own guessing — have another company that you think is about to revolutionize medical marijuana, or that could match Mampilly’s (very limited) clues? Let us know with a comment below.
My favorite is Organigram. OGRMF, last quarter revenue equaled the entire previous year and they’re profitable.
That could theoretically be a match too, incidentally — $600 million a year by 2020 would be a massive stretch (analysts guess it will be less than half that), but I have seen that number thrown out as a “potential revenue” guess for the company. Hard to argue “pessimism” is baked in when it’s within 20% or so of all-time highs, it’s doing better than many pot stocks, but these criteria are all quite squishy.
Interesting article about OGRMF on Motly Fool Feb 10th Of course they like 10 other stocks better.
I agree with OGRMF because it is right around $5. In a “Market Talk” email he send to Profits Unlimited subscribers today he teased a pot stock under $5 that he would be announcing tomorrow for 10 Million Portfolio subscribers. The only thing is he also indicated it has a “disruptification” (his new buzzword) factor. Maybe he’s alluding to:
“The core reason is that OrganiGram’s “unique three-tiered growing system has allowed it to become one of the most efficient growers — if not the most efficient — in all of Canada. At peak production capacity, for instance, OrganiGram should end up rolling out approximately 113,000 kilograms of cannabis per year with only 490,000 square feet of growing space.”
https://www.fool.com/investing/2019/02/05/2-pot-stocks-with-jaw-dropping-growth-potential.aspx
it’s Aurora. i’m a member of the Inner circle
But Paul wouldn’t be about to issue a trade alert on ACB, correct?
Do you currently own ACB? I’m considering a small limit order. Appears very volatile.
I just bought 2650 shares a few weeks back with my hobby TD ameritrade account. I am going just let it ride. I am not a pot smoker,but my wife is a cancer survivor that has a lot of nerve and muscular pain from her mastectomy and chemo. MMJ and CBD products have made her more comfortable than anything else to include opioids !
I think the CBD is part of our future…because people steer away from the really addictive pain killers and see CBD with some THC as an alternative for pain.
CBD helps my wife also. Thanks for sharing
I own ACB….down about $2 per share….looking at long term…not worried about it…also own 2 more companies of MJ….kind of stagnant lately….slow because startup time…I think.
Odd if it’s the same one Mampilly is currently pitching, since Aurora had revenue of $42 million in its 2018 fiscal year and $57 million over the trailing four quarters. Estimates are for $695 million in 2020 revenue, so it would be an OK match on that part.
Certainly a more mainstream stock, I don’t know if I could call ACB a “max pessimism” idea at this point, not at more than 10X expected 2020 sales, but it will be interesting to watch. They’re expected to report after the market close today.
By “Inner Circle” do you mean the former Weiss Inner Circle folks who got transferred to Banyan’s “total wealth fellowship” membership when Banyan and Weiss merged? Hard to keep track of all the different letters that come and go, and I didn’t know that the newer $10 Million Portfolio was included in those “get everything” memberships… but we’re always curious to hear what people think of the newsletters they subscribe to… thanks for sharing.
No, there is another all in one package, but just for Mampilly’s products, called his Inner Circle
its all Mampilly’s services, i’m not entirely pleased with the service but he does some good research. the $10 000 000 portfolio is by far the worst one.
Nice try
How old is this tease?
I got it on Friday, with the pitch that the recommendation would be made on Wednesday — so it’s a teased “to come” recommendation from $10 Million Portfolio, whether he has also recommended it in the past for this or other services I don’t know.
Well it’d be nice if he shared it with his subscribers.
What about Auscann ACNNF?
They’ve got the “pessimism” part covered, I guess, but don’t know much else about them and I don’t think they’ve ever reported any revenue.
I own some ACNNF too, but this is one that calls for a lot of patience. They look to be well positioned for the market in Australia at least. They have a very credible story and the management looks strong. I have lost some money on this, but not going to sell unless something drastic happens. Take a look at their website and see what you think.
I reviewed that Namaste, and read about all the inducing parties they were using to get business. After CGC, and Aurora, I did by a little Aleaf, OGRMF EMHTF,MMNTF,PLNHF and TGODF….these are relatively cheap and I hope I covered my bases….john (Houston)
Check out HEMP. Very cheap,but looks good Long to me.
If it is Aurora, I am long on them, held for over 2 years. Also have Canopy, Organigram, Charlotte’s Web, Kushco and GW Pharma. May take another look at Namaste, had it for a while and sold it.
You’re all over it.
Casey just had a flash sell alert on Kushco. They think it’s run its course.
I thought MedMen MMNFF with the “pessimism” part, with 2 recent lawsuits one from investors, and most recent from former CFO; but their revenues ~21.5M last reported quarter is a disqualifier. I also thought as you did maybe Curaleaf CURLF or HarvestHealth HTHHF, and perhaps TruLieve TCNNF – but like you say they don’t have the ‘maximum pessimism’ factor and they all have higher $$revenues. the Thinkolator has come up with a very good guess! Mampilly nor Namaste – not for me!
Today is a great day to buy Aurora. The price is down and they report earnings tonight. Best estimate is that they will do good with earnings and the stock will take off tomorrow.
Looks like Aurora missed on earnings but beat on revenue. They’re down about ten to fifteen cents after hours.
Give it a week or so for analysts to understand how good the financials were.
Interesting name Dude. I was born in Derby
(pronounced Darby)
Unfortunately, I am not from Derby. Got the nickname from partying 16 years in a row in the infield at the Kentucky Derby
Pclo- just started out. I can’t remember the site that had a small earnings number. Could that be it? Anyway you can send me an email address and I’ll send you the original investment pitch. It’s pretty impressive. If I would have had $10k to get involved with it I would have. I like that the board has ties to Big tobacco. Year round outside grows cuts the overhead down drastically because it takes alot of electricity to run those grow lights. I’ll send anyone a copy if they want it.
Also what is the best way to trade on the TSXV? Interactive brokers is the only one I’ve really found. For the US anyways
Plus send me a copy. I missed the IPO; but looking to get in. Plus send to dgeysel@sympatico. Thx
Send me a copy of the IPO as well.
Please send a copy to i.premier@yahoo.com
Thanks
i”ll take a copy. a.hitt@hotmail.com
Love to have it. Jennierae.mcguire@gmail.com. Many thanks.
Send me a copy at deludepa@aol.com thanks.
please send a copy to wllmdsy@aol,com
Please add me to the list also.
Magumz@centurylink.net
Would you please e-mail me a copy of the report to tbryanbuilder@yahoo.com
Thank You
Scubasteven.
I would appreciate a copy. Thank you.
I use Schwab and have about 50 stocks now and another 40 or so that I have sold, all thru Schwab. Almost all of them are Canadian company’s. Miners, pot, tech, bio, etc. $4.95 a trade, all done on my tablet. And I’m 80 yrs old. Easy.
billyrob0304@gmail.com
Please send me a copy…..ftajeep@hotmail.com…..Thanks
Please send me a copy at envision157@yahoo.com . Thanks
Pls add my name to receive your generous offer.
Fataylor 1@comcast.net
Thanks
I would like a copy, thank you! gmfrendt@msn.com
Me too please:
mauisbigtuna@gmail.com
Please send copy also : angelomotordoc@hotmail.com
Would love a copy. Turbomom@optonline.net
I would love a copy to bkpcc@live.com thank you. Rhonda
I would like a copy. breonj@yahoo.com
thanks, Sharon
Me also
fngwave@gmail.com
Thx
I would appreciate a copy – thanks so much!
Forgot to give you my email: arknutson626@gmail.com
Thanks!
send me a copy at xoomoon@gmail.com
thanks
gasoilguy@yahoo.com please
Please send me a copy. drvohora@gmail.com Thank you.
Please send copy
Please send me a copy
yes on the outdoor grow, but you can get 2 or 3 harvests per year on the indoor / greenhouse grows with controlled environments; only one harvest per year on outdoor grows.
Hi scubasteven,
I would like to have a copy. TKS! jocelyneobrien@hotmail.com
Would love to have a copy as well. Thanks, very generous of you to take the time to share.
May I have a copy? Jeffreyfurlong@att.net ? Thank You
Please send me a copy too.
Thanks!
Lindasmithrnclnc@hotmail.com
If your still offering would love a copy. Klfraley51 @gmail.com
Sorry guys I’ll send it tonight. From now on just send me a request to jefferykrajnak@gmail.com and I’ll get back to you alot quicker.
it might not be aurora if he sends a new recommendation on wed. Aurora is already a holding in the 10 mill portfolio. I’ve seen a few teasers for stocks already recommended though.
I bought Namaste at .18 during their first month of trading on the CSE back a few years and have a substantial position. I still think this will do well going forward in spite of the current problems and controversial actions of Sean Dollinger. I am looking forward to the next financials to see if my faith in the business plan is still valid.
what’s the ticker symbol?
Could it be “GW Pharmaceuticals”, whose medical sales’ (prescription drugs in that case) high estimate in 2020 should be around $600 millions according to https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/GWPH/analysis/ and whose 2018 sales were in the order of magnitude of $15 Million ?
Could be, that’s another rational guess. I’d say they aren’t suffering from any kind of washout or pessimism at the moment, but that’s subjective.
Very rational guess. GWPH has all the upside and a one year PT of USD 206.
Don’t believe it is Namaste……don’t see $600M, not a chance. Don G.
We can assume that Mampilly looked at all the same possibilities that the Thinkolator came up with, and then selected one for his subscribers. Does he have a crystal ball? Of course not. Does he have any inside information? Probably not. So how did he come up with his recommendation? He just guessed. Hence there is no point trying to guess his company X since he himself just picked company X by guessing. Everyone might as well guess for himself with the same chance of success.
I would rather buy MJ(etflmg alternative harvest) that is a ETF of marijuana stocks.
Motley Fool just put out a bunch of weed stock recommendations. Their teaser would be a good one to gumshoe.
Is possible GBLX (GB Sciences, Inc)
This pot stock just went up 30% today
I hope it is GBLX.
I read that former House Speaker Boehner is now serving as a quasi-lobbyist for and all-in investor in the medical marijuana industry. If memory serves me correctly, he opposed legalization while in Congress. Will be interesting to see where regulations go with Democrats in control.
John Boehner is on the board of Acreage Holdings ACRGF, supposedly the largest MSO multi state operator in the U.S. Stock Gumshoe had an article “What are John Boehner’s “American Cannabis Summit” Stocks?” Oct. 24, 2018.
BTW, Yesterday Harvest Health & Recreation changed symbols on the OTC from HTHHF to HRVSF.
Totally missed that article, so thanks for pointing me to it, steveflick.
Two things make me question all this pot stuff. 1, anybody can grow it for rec use. 2. Many chemicals discovered in plants that have medicinal use end up being synthesized, because it’s cheaper and more efficient than harvesting from a plant; and often can be enhanced to be more effective.
Just from what I have heard, growing good pot isn’t that easy…
Anybody can make booze too….
MPXEF
third in sales
630 million deal Ianthus
I’m new and confused. Very interested in Cannabis stocks. Getting swamped with ads for money map press; Tom Gentile, Paul Mampilly, Michael Robinson, Kent Moors, Motley Fool and others. I can’t find any history of how well any have done. Is this all hype, or is there is good, legitimate advisory service out there? I don’t have time to do a lot of research and need one I can depend on. Thanks
It’s a new industry, and there will likely be dramatic winners and losers over the next five or ten years — I would imagine that all of the pundits who are promoting their marijuana expertise will pick both winners and losers, regardless of their track record in other areas.
The only publisher I know of that publicly reports their results is the Motley Fool, which usually publishes average return for each newsletter since inception (easy enough, since the returns are good for the ones they do publish), but they also do not have the pressure of managing a portfolio — they very, very rarely sell so their recommended lists are extremely long (100-200 names) and the huge outperformance is driven by a relatively small number of amazing performers with 5-10,000% returns or better (Amazon, Netflix, Priceline and maybe a couple others).
If you don’t have time to do research and don’t enjoy the process of evaluating companies, don’t buy individual stocks. Low-cost Mutual funds and ETFs will give you average performance, and that’s as good or better than most pundits and advisors, most of the time. Stock selection and trading are expensive hobbies for most people, sometimes it works out but the odds are not on your side so there’s no need to push yourself to do it if you don’t enjoy it.
You can see what other investors think of the newsletters they subscribe to on our Newsletter Ranking pages if you want to find some that are well-liked or read some reviews and opinions.
The best newsletter evaluation service is right here!!! Become an irregular and get all the needed info on the teasers. Gumshoe is certainly my savior!
I’ve been studying the market now in all my spare time for about 6 weeks and feel like I’ve only grazed the surface, but then I’m a total newbie. I too am swamped with emails every day and feel like I should read and watch every message, transcript and video. I already paid for Jason Bond Picks to learn about trading penny stocks, and more recently Barry Burns $500 technical trading course, but havent even had time to look at that one yet. Does anyone else get it and if so, what do you think? It is totally refundable so I can get my money back if you think it not worthwhile, but I watched his intro webinar and was impressed with him. I’m also following the pot stocks a lot. I guess I got a little off topic here. Sorry, just trying to get as many opinions as possible.
Slasher, I have looked into many and have subscribed to several over the last four years. The absolute best is 420 Investor by Alan Brochstein. https://marketfy.com and click on 420 Investor or you may be able to get to it here https://marketfy.com/product/420investor/. Alan has three portfolios: Quality, Opportunity and Flying High. Flying High is more of a buy and hold for a few days. You can do any or all of these. Also, there is a wealth of information. Alan does videos almost every day, provides immediate information on what is going on and constantly answers questions. He is by far the leading expert in cannabis. You can either just do his trades that he does, learn from him and members and do the trades that you like from his list, spend the whole day following all the information and member comments which are also a wealth of info, or do anything in between. The three portfolios are constantly upgraded to show you the return since inception and year to date. In my 40 years of investing I have never seen a service this good. Cost is only $600 per year and well worth it.
@derby Dude & Slasher, Great Comment, 420 Investor by Alan Brochstein. I enjoy his weekly free enewsletter http://www.newcannabisventures.com DerbyDude, about 9 months ago here at SG you turned me on to Ted Ohashi’s free weekly enewsletter http://www.LetsTokeBusiness.com Thanks!!
@steveflick, your welcome. Ted has a very good newsletter and a good overall view of especially the Canadian market. I consider Alan is the number one in knowledge and performance record in the cannabis market with about 20-25 stocks between his three portfolios. I consider Ted to be number two.
Stick with the Stock Gumshoe. The rest are bogus.
Everything is a come on sales pitch. Travis is totally honest.
billyrob, Travis is excellent. However, Slasher specifically asked about cannabis stocks. Alan spends 50 to 60 hours per week in the cannabis market. There is no one that knows the cannabis market better than Alan. Alan is also well known by everyone in the cannabis market. If you specifically want the best recommendations in cannabis, Alan is the one to go to.
Great Derby Dude, Thanks
Stick with Stockgumshoe. Their advice is priceless and free and saved a lot of us from subscribing to hyped expensive newsletters. Thank Stockgumshoe
Try NICI. National Institute of Cannabis Investors. They have tons of useful info.
Navigating around this site is worth your time IMO https://www.newcannabisventures.com/cannabis-stock-index/
Agree, https://www.newcannabisventures.com/cannabis-stock-index/ is a great site.