Why CannTrust (TSX:TRST) Investors Shouldn’t Expect a Miracle

A low share price isn’t enough to make CannTrust Holdings Inc (TSX:TRST)(NYSE:CTST) a good buy today and investors that gamble on it could end up losing everything.

Trying to catch a falling stock can be a very risky proposition. After all, there’s no rule that just because a stock has declined in value that it will return back to where it was before. Even if you wait years, there’s no guarantee that a decline won’t be permanent.

That’s the very real scenario that CannTrust Holdings Inc (TSX:TRST)(NYSE:CTST) investors face today: the stock that might be headed toward zero.

Without a significant development, such as Health Canada coming to a decision that isn’t likely to result in the suspension of CannTrust’s license, there’s not much hope for the stock to go anywhere but down.

Stock is a very risky, speculative buy today

Whether technical indicators suggest the stock is a buy, or whether the share price is trading at lower multiples of sales or book value, that alone won’t be enough to guarantee that the stock will bounce back.

The risk is enormous, and investors still holding onto the stock face the very real scenario that they could end up losing all of their money.

While speculators could impact the share price over the short term — and we’ve seen CannTrust’s stock get a bump when the company announced it was getting rid of its CEO — the factors weighing down the stock aren’t going anywhere and could ultimately get stronger.

In some situations, after a scandal hits could be a good time to buy a stock on a very big dip in price, but that’s only the case when there’s a likelihood that the stock will recover in value.

When there’s a fundamental problem with its business that will affect its ability to continue functioning, it’s a very different scenario altogether.

If a company has no real prospects to be able to generate cash flow, there’s going to be no reason to invest in the stock and it becomes purely speculative.

The danger when it comes to speculation is that for a stock that might not have much of a future, it’s akin to going to a casino with your money.

At that point, it becomes more about gambling than investing, and that’s what individuals owning CannTrust shares could find themselves doing today.

Bottom line

Price alone shouldn’t be a reason to buy, hold or sell a stock. Whether CannTrust is trading at $3, $2 or even $1, investors are still putting themselves at significant risk.

The only way CannTrust’s stock could generate value for investors is with a miracle where the company is able to avoid significant punishment given its very public violation of Health Canada’s cannabis rules.

There’s no way to predict how Health Canada will act given the lack of precedents, but there’s a lot more reason to believe that the regulator will come down hard on CannTrust than it going lightly on the cannabis operator. That makes CannTrust a strong sell, regardless of price.

Ultimately, there are much better stocks for investors to choose from today, and CannTrust is simply not worth the significant risk involved.

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 David Jagielski has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

More on Cannabis Stocks

Cannabis business and marijuana industry concept as the shadow of a dollar sign on a group of leaves
Cannabis Stocks

Should You Buy Canopy Growth Stock or Green Thumb Stock Today?

Let's dive into two cannabis giants, and which one may be the better pick for long-term investors.

Read more »

Farmer smiles near cannabis crop
Cannabis Stocks

Could Aurora Cannabis Stock Finally Recover by Year-End?

Down 99% from all-time highs, Aurora Cannabis stock is focused on improving profit margins and expanding sales of its medical…

Read more »

Farmer smiles near cannabis crop
Cannabis Stocks

Are Pot Stocks About to Surge Again? 

With pot stocks making big moves of late, many investors are now asking whether the cannabis sector is worth investing…

Read more »

Farmer smiles near cannabis crop
Cannabis Stocks

Can Pot Stocks Aurora Cannabis and Canopy Growth Bounce Back in Q4?

Down over 99% from all-time highs, Canadian pot stocks such as Aurora Cannabis and Canopy Growth remain high-risk bets.

Read more »

Worker tags plants at an industrial cannabis operation
Cannabis Stocks

Can Canopy Growth Stock Finally Recover in 2024?

Down 98% from all-time highs, Canopy Growth remains a high-risk investment in 2024 given its weak fundamentals.

Read more »

Tech Stocks

3 No-Brainer Stocks to Buy With $20 Right Now

These three stocks are easy buys for those who don't have all that much to spend, and want long-term growth…

Read more »

Pot stocks are a riskier investment
Cannabis Stocks

Slow Burn: Is Aurora Cannabis Finally a Good Buy in June?

One of the benefits of choosing from some of the most beaten-down market segments like cannabis is that even a…

Read more »

Caution, careful
Cannabis Stocks

I Wouldn’t Touch This TSX Stock With a 60-Foot Pole

I wouldn't touch Canopy Growth Corp (TSX:WEED) stock with a 60-foot pole.

Read more »