Are marijuana and hemp the same thing? It largely depends who you ask. The federal government accurately recognizes that hemp and marijuana are variants of the same species…. Cannabis sativa, but aren’t one and the same. Yet, the DEA recently put rules in place that suggest they’re not going to act as if no distinction exists (though that matter is still not clarified by legislative ‘law’).
So what is the difference, and why does it matter?
The key difference between hemp and marijuana is primarily the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (or THC), or the primary psychoactive chemical in marijuana. Hemp contains less than 0.5% THC — making it worthless as a recreational drug — while marijuana consists of anywhere from 6 % to 20% (and sometimes more) THC.
The good news is, despite the recent rules from the DEA, legislatures – both federal and state – where laws are actually made and where the DEA’s standards will hit a wall are finally starting to embrace the distinct differences between marijuana and hemp. This bodes well for a young Canadia startup called Lexaria Bioscience Corp (OTCMKTS:LXRP, CNSX:LXX).
Lexaria Bioscience Corp. is self-described as “a food biosciences company with a proprietary technology for improved delivery of bioactive compounds. The Company’s lipophilic enhancement technology has been shown to enhance the bioavailability of orally ingested cannabinoids, while also masking taste. This technology promotes healthy ingestion methods, lower overall dosing and higher effectiveness in active molecule delivery. The Company’s technology is patent-protected for cannabidiol (CBD) and all other non-psychoactive cannabinoids, and patent-pending for Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), other psychoactive cannabinoids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), nicotine and other molecules.”
In other words, it solves a problem within the budding (no pun intended) world of cannabis and medical — or even recreational — marijuana. It increases the amount of absorption of a substance ingested.
Still, the underlying science is inherently problematic, right? After all, cannabis is still technically illegal even if the Federal government chooses to look the other way when it’s used for legitimate purposes. Don’t worry — the company is doubly-shielded.
Top 5 Medical Stocks To Invest In 2018: WGL Holdings Inc(WGL)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Shauna O’Brien]
Brean Capital reported on Friday that it has upgraded natural gas utility company WGL Holdings Inc (WGL).
The firm has raised its rating on WGL from “Hold” to “Buy,” and has given the company a $46 price target. This price target suggests a 12% increase from the stock’s current price of $40.62. The upgrade was primarily based on valuation and future investment opportunities.
“Like many utilities in the gas LDC space, the shares of WGL Holdings have come off recent highs and are now trading at a level we consider attractive,” analyst Michael Gaugler comments. “Beyond valuation, we consider the recent announcement of conditional approval of Dominion’s Cove Point facility for LNG export as a positive development in terms of future investment opportunities, given the company’s one-third interest in the Commonwealth Pipeline project, which we believe will be revisited due to future increased demand.”
WGL Holdings shares were mostly flat during pre-market trading Friday. The stock has been mostly flat YTD.
Top 5 Medical Stocks To Invest In 2018: Level 3 Communications, Inc.(LVLT)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Ben Levisohn]
A rumored merger with CenturyLink (CTL) sent Level 3 Communications (LVLT) soaring to the top of the S&P 500 today.
Pixabay
Shares of Level 3 Communications climbed 11% to $51.87 today, even as the S&P 500 declined 0.3% to 2,133.04. CenturyLink didn’t perform too badly, either: It gained 9.7% to $31.
- [By Ben Levisohn]
After opening up 0.6% this morning, Level Three Communications (LVLT) jumped as much as 5.9% on reports that it was considering ways to increase shareholder value (nudge nudge, wink wink, know what I mean?). Citigroup’s Michael Rollins and Neth Wiedemann offer their take:
Online news source Benzinga recently tweeted that an industry source has told them Level 3 is “reviewing strategic alternatives to maximize holder value, including outright sale or large buyback”. Level 3 shares are up ~4% today after a ~3% move yesterday and shares are up ~10% over the past week. The company has not responded to the news, nor can we substantiate the speculation.
Level 3 remains our top-pick within our coverage group given its growth, financial flexibility, valuation, and strategic optionality.Level 3 currently trades around ~10x our 2016 OIBDA estimate and ~11x our 2016 discretionary FCF estimate, which we believe is too cheap given its growth profile and deep strategic asset-mix of metro and long-haul fiber.
We believe that Level 3′s extensive enterprise presence could be attractive for a cable player looking to move up-market and accelerate its investment from thesmall- to medium-sized businesses segment into the enterprise market. We also believe that Zayo Group Holdings (ZAYO) may be an attractive acquisition target for a cable company looking to accelerate an enterprise strategy. We also would not dismiss the possibility that Level 3 and Zayo could consider a merger scenario to become a larger competitor for the enterprise market against the incumbents AT&T (T) and Verizon Communications (VZ).
Shares of Level 3 have gained 3.7% to $56.39 at 1:20 p.m. today, while Zayo Group Holdings has risen 1% to $28.78, AT&T has advanced 0.5% to $42.61, and Verizon Communications is up 0.7% to $55.87.
- [By Benzinga News Desk]
On Thursday afternoon, Wall Street Journal reported that CenturyLink (NYSE: CTL) was in advanced talks to merge with Level 3 Communications (NYSE: LVLT). Back on July 13, Benzinga Pro reported Level 3 was reviewing strategic alternatives.
Top 5 Medical Stocks To Invest In 2018: PetMed Express, Inc.(PETS)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Lisa Levin] Gainers
Aimmune Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: AIMT) shares jumped 35 percent to $34.64 in response to failed DBVT peanut allergy trial.
Exactech, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXAC) shares surged 30.9 percent to $41.88 after the company agreed to be acquired by TPG Capital for $42 per share in cash.
Dextera Surgical Inc (NASDAQ: DXTR) shares climbed 27.6 percent to $0.238 after surging 40.48 percent on Friday.
Petmed Express Inc (NASDAQ: PETS) jumped 21.8 percent to $44.73 as the company reported better-than-expected Q2 results.
SenesTech Inc (NASDAQ: SNES) shares surged 21.7 percent to $1.95 after the company disclosed that Univar will be marketing and selling ContraPest.
Yulong Eco-Materials Ltd (NASDAQ: YECO) shares gained 18.3 percent to $0.560.
One Horizon Group Inc (NASDAQ: OHGI) shares rose 18 percent to $1.18.
Atossa Genetics Inc (NASDAQ: ATOS) shares climbed 18 percent to $0.566. Atossa Genetics is schedule to host a conference call to announce preliminary results from Phase 1 study of oral Endoxifen on October 25, 2017.
ReneSola Ltd. (ADR) (NYSE: SOL) shares rose 15.3 percent to $2.72
Renren Inc (NYSE: RENN) shares gained 11.9 percent to $10.71 after gaining 2.68 percent on Friday.
Kalvista Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: KALV) shares rose 11.8 percent to $12.59. KalVista Pharma 13D filing from Longwood Fund showed registration for an 8.7 percent stake.
Xunlei Ltd (NASDAQ: XNET) shares gained 9.4 percent to $7.20 after surging 25.33 percent on Friday.
VF Corp (NYSE: VFC) shares surged 7.1 percent to $71.09 after the company reported upbeat earnings for its third quarter and raised its FY2017 guidance.
CAI International Inc (NYSE: CAI) rose 6.6 percent to $39.70. Cowen & Co. upgraded CAI from Market Perform to Outperform.
Agenus Inc (NASDAQ: AGEN) shares gained 5.7 percent to $4.58 as the company disclosed that GSK's shingle vaccine received FDA approval.
Deltic Timber Corp (NYSE: DEL) shares climbed 5.6 percent to $94.11 - [By Peter Graham]
Small cap pet stockPetmed Express Inc (NASDAQ: PETS) reportedQ2 earnings before the market opened this morning with shares soaring this morning as earnings were well beyond expectations. Net sales increased 10% to $66.7 million as new order sales increased 9% to $11.6 million while the Company’s online sales for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 were approximately 84% of all sales compared to 82% for the same quarter the prior year (with online sales increasing 12%). Net income was $8.8 million versusnet income of $4.9 million. The CEO commented:
- [By Peter Graham]
A long term performance chart shows Blue Buffalo Pet Products roughly back up to its IPO close for retail investors while fresh pet food peer Freshpet Inc (NASDAQ: FRPT) isstill below IPO levels and pet stocksCentral Garden & Pet Co (NASDAQ: CENT) andPetmed Express (NASDAQ: PETS) have been much stronger performers in the pet sector after PetSmart (NASDAQ: PETM) was acquired by a private equity group:
Top 5 Medical Stocks To Invest In 2018: ClubCorp Holdings, Inc.(MYCC)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Steve Symington]
Shares of ClubCorp Holdings Inc. (NYSE:MYCC) jumped 15.7% Thursday after reports stating the private golf and country-club specialist is considering strategic alternatives.
Top 5 Medical Stocks To Invest In 2018: Intelsat S.A.(I)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Rich Smith]
Shares of satellite communications specialist Intelsat (NYSE:I) had another down day on Thursday, their third in a row, closing down 18.3%.
So what
That makes more than 38% in combined losses since it was announced that Japanese tech conglomerate SoftBank would merge its OneWeb satellite company with Intelsat in a 40%-60% deal, with SoftBank owning the 40%.
- [By Peter Graham]
A long term performance chart shows shares of Globalstar, Inc (NYSEMKT: GSAT) followed by ORBCOMM Inc (NASDAQ: ORBC) being big winners while Iridium Communications has given a positive performance and Intelsat SA (NYSE: I) has been a big looser:
