Canopy Growth downgraded by Jefferies as analysts slash price targets on sector by average 50%

Jefferies downgraded Canopy Growth Corp. on Friday and slashed its stock price targets for cannabis companies by an average of 50%, a day after a revenue warning from Hexo Corp. prompted a sharp selloff in the sector as investors moved to price in heightened risk. "With a number of negative headlines impacting the sector the last 6 months, and still with little sign of profitability, the sector has seen greater risk/volatility priced in," analysts Owen Bennett and Ryan Tomkins wrote in a note to clients. The analysts downgraded Canopy, the market leader, to hold from buy and cut their price target to C$25 ($18.8) from C$77. The analysts cut Hexo's stock price target to C$3.80 from C$7.70, cut Cronos to C$10 from C$15, lowered Aurora Cannabis price target to C$7 from C$14, cut Organigram to C8.20 from C10.50, cut Green Organic Dutchman to C$2.40 from C$6.50 and lowered Tilray's price target to $25 from $57. At the same time, they upgraded Hexo to hold from underperform and upgraded Organigram and Flowr Corp. to buy from hold. "The next 12 months price performance should see strong divergence between those who can execute/move to profit and the rest," the analysts wrote. Canopy shares fell 1.8% premarket. The stock has fallen 24% in 2019, while the ETFMG Alternative Harvest ETF has fallen 25% and the S&P 500 has gained 17%. Read More...