They've struggled with their liquor business, and are expanding into cannabis in BC and Ontario, and that takes capital. You must be patient here like a few years, but they should make a lot of money in cannabis in the future. Now is a good time to look at CLIQ.
(A Top Pick Apr 24/18, Down 47%) It's oversold. He's watching it and may buy back his position. They've gotten into cannabis retailing out west and are looking at Ontario where he expects them to have a strong presence. Note: Aurora bought 25% of CLIQ at $15/share (today $5). Ouch.
The dividend isn't safe given company turmoil. They're converting Alberta liquor stores into cannabis retail, partnering with Aurora. This is a speculative play and a logistical challenge. It's difficult to run cannabis retail when you have no product to sell. The upside is that Aurora could just vertically integrate and own the entire channel.
Pot retail and alcohol retail. Interesting as it has exposure to the marijuana space without the higher valuation. Even as he doesn't like the sector in general this is a good way to dip your toes in it.
(A Top Pick Jan 23/18, Down 33%) Recently exited it. Aurora owns 25% of the company, but Ontario just said that a weed company can't own more than 9.9% of a retailer, so it's a challenge for them in how to develop their cannabis side. He'll continue to track this. There's risk to raise capital for them and that could pressure the share price.
The liquor and cannabis businesses are two distinct and different businesses. CLIQ-T are going through a very extensive renovation this year. They are doing the right long term thinks in the business but it will impact it short time. There is great long term upside.
Dominant position in Alberta liquor, which is competitive, so they're diversifying. Trying to acquire licenses in cannabis, which is an interesting opportunity. Liquor business in turnaround mode which will improve over next few years, but market isn't giving value to the cannabis division. Will have a strong position when the licenses come through.
Is this a buy over the next 1-2 years? He thinks the buy in by Aurora was interesting. Their existing business is going through transformation and they are working at trying to improve on or sell assets – especially in Alberta. He is on the fringe of wanting to own it.
When they went public he thought it was a great concept – publically owned liquor stores, but it has not done much. Cannabis would give it a bit of a lift but for now it is an income play. You won't make a lot of money. You can do better with a telco, pipeline or bank.
He said several years ago to stay away because they needed such renovation of their stores. They are now reestablishing their western Canada presence and selling off their US stores. Cannabis may or may not be the savior of the stores.