Activists see their strong potential

Article Excerpt

HEXO CORP. $8.10 (Toronto symbol HEXO; Shares outstanding: 198.3 million; Market cap: $1.6 billion; No dividend paid; Takeover Target Rating: Highest; www.thcx.com) is a Canadian-based producer and distributor of medical cannabis with production facilities in Quebec. In addition, the company plans to branch out into the recreational and consumables markets when it becomes legal on October 17, 2018. The stock has jumped over 400% in the past year. That’s partly because the company recently concluded a joint venture agreement with Molson Coors Canada Inc. (Toronto symbols TPX.A and TPX.B). Under the terms of that deal, Molson will own 57.5% of the new joint venture focused on developing cannabis-infused non-alcoholic beverages. Edible cannabis products, from drinks to brownies, should become legal as early as mid-2019. As well, New York-based investment firm, Riposte Capital, has complained about the company’s “severely depressed valuation.” Riposte, which owns 2.6% of HEXO, wants the company to conduct a strategic review. That could include getting Molson Coors to buy a direct stake…