U.S. investors are piling into an ETF that tracks the Canadian pot industry as the country moves toward legalization and liquor producers show growing interest in selling pot.
The U.S.-listed $436 million ETFMG Alternative Harvest ETF (MJ) has taken in about $22 million in August, putting it on track for the largest monthly inflow since February. That asset growth has been fueled by a 35% surge in the fund’s price since Aug. 14.
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The focus since the 2016 election on easing rules, tax cuts and expanding access to credit is about to be turned on its head.
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The fund took in about $22 million in August.
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The first U.S.-listed marijuana ETF already has inflows of $386 million this year.
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Pot stocks have been soaring amid Canada’s pending legalization of recreational cannabis on Oct. 17 and growing speculation that other industries will buy in. For example, Tilray, a Canadian marijuana pharmaceutical maker, has more than tripled since it started trading on July 18.
A major boost for cannabis shares came two weeks ago, when alcohol giant Constellation Brands invested $3.8 billion in Canadian marijuana maker Canopy Growth, the biggest deal yet in the burgeoning industry. Since the move was announced on Aug. 15, the BI Canada Cannabis Competitive Peers index has gained more than 30%, including 3.7% Wednesday.
Passive funds are the decisive victor in attracting cash.
“This reinforces the interest among large consumer companies in partnering with cannabis producers,” said Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Kenneth Shea. “It also signifies the confidence that consumer companies have for the continued rise in consumer demand for legal cannabis-infused beverages in Canada, but also eventually in the U.S. and in international markets.”
Last week, BNN Bloomberg TV reported that the global liquor giant Diageo is seeking a cannabis partner, raising market speculation over who that may be. Molson Coors Canada also announced a joint venture with Hydropothecary to develop non-alcoholic, cannabis-infused beverages.
However, while the U.S.-listed fund is going strong, a Canada-listed counterpart is struggling. The $703 billion Horizons Marijuana Life Sciences Index ETF (HMMJ) is on track for its biggest month of outflows since it began trading in April 2017, with $6.1 million leaving the fund this month, including $5.1 million on Tuesday alone.
