Which Is the Better Growth Play: Aphria Inc. or Aurora Cannabis Inc.?

Should investors base valuations on production capacity or operating leverage for two of Canada’s largest cannabis producers: Aphria Inc. (TSX:APH) or Aurora Cannabis Inc. (TSX:ACB)?

| More on:

c

With the overall cannabis market recently seeing a reduction in uncertainty related to the way cannabis is expected to be rolled out across the country’s provinces and territories, investors have begun to pile into the country’s largest cannabis producers in a bid to choose the company that will eventually come out on top.

With Canopy Growth Corp. (TSX:WEED) widely considered to be the frontrunner in becoming Canada’s premier cannabis firm, its competitors have recently begun to catch up in a meaningful way. Fellow Fool contributor Joey Frenette has discussed a potential trend of Canopy investors jumping ship to competitors Aphria Inc. (TSX:APH) or Aurora Cannabis Inc. (TSX:ACB) in a bid to achieve outsized returns. While I tend to agree that smart money will begin diversifying long-term investments in the cannabis sector across multiple publicly traded firms, I also believe that each of Canada’s large cannabis producers have different fundamentals that investors need to consider in order to choose which cannabis company fits their investment criteria, if at all.

While I personally remain on the sidelines with respect to the Canadian cannabis sector in the belief that we are currently in what will turn out to be a massive bubble, I agree that some cannabis companies are fundamentally better than others, which is what really matters to me.

With most of the valuation discussion appearing to focus on production capacity, a fact I’ve touched on before, the current valuation multiples displayed by most cannabis producers have approached astronomical levels. My recent article highlighting just how crazy valuations are has not deterred further stock price growth, as investors continue to focus on production capacity set to come online and the impending legalization set to happen in just a few months.

It is certainly true that both Aphria and Aurora are in a race for market share. However, I prefer to focus on operating and profit margins for companies in the early stages of development as a key indicator of long-term cash flow creation ability. In that regard, Aphria emerges as the clear winner, with operating and profit margins of 83% and 12%, respectively, compared to -16% and -33% for Aurora over the past 12 months.

Aphria has also produced very decent returns for shareholders of late, providing investors with a Return on Equity (ROE) of 10.1% and a Return on Assets (ROA) of 0.8% compared to Aurora’s ROE of -2.7% and ROA of -2.4%.

Investors who are seeking a company with the ability to create durable competitive advantage relating to operating leverage should consider Aphria over Aurora currently.

Stay Foolish, my friends.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Chris MacDonald has no position in any stocks mentioned in this article.

More on Investing

3 colorful arrows racing straight up on a black background.
Investing

1 Canadian Stock Ready to Surge Into 2025

Canadian Natural Resources (TSX:CNQ) stock is a sleeping dividend giant that may be about to wake up.

Read more »

Tractor spraying a field of wheat
Investing

Is Nutrien Stock a Buy for its 4.7% Dividend Yield?

Nutrien (TSX:NTR) is a well-known defensive commodities play. But is this stock worth buying for its dividend yield alone?

Read more »

Happy shoppers look at a cellphone.
Tech Stocks

So You Own Shopify Stock: Is it Still a Good Investment?

Shopify (TSX:SHOP) stock has had a run, but there's still room to the upside.

Read more »

Paper Canadian currency of various denominations
Investing

The Best Stocks to Invest $2,000 in Right Now

Do you have some extra cash to spare? Here are three Canadian stocks to add to your watch list today.

Read more »

tsx today
Stock Market

TSX Today: What to Watch for in Stocks on Friday, November 22

Continued gains in gold, oil, and natural gas prices could give the commodity-focused TSX benchmark a boost at the opening…

Read more »

Train cars pass over trestle bridge in the mountains
Dividend Stocks

Is CNR Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold for 2025?

Can CNR stock continue its long-term outperformance into 2025 and beyond? Let's explore whether now is a good time to…

Read more »

engineer at wind farm
Energy Stocks

Invest $20,000 in This Dividend Stock for $100 in Monthly Passive Income

This dividend stock has it all – a strong outlook, monthly income, and even more to consider buying today.

Read more »

Hourglass and stock price chart
Stock Market

It’s Not Too Late: Invest in These TSX Growth Stocks Now

Solid fundamentals of these top TSX growth stocks could help them maintain strong upward momentum in the years to come.

Read more »