Buzz on the Bullboards: Markets in Turmoil

The last 10 days or so in our markets have been chaotic, to say the least. After several years of impossibly low volatility, markets have been see-sawing erratically, led by the precipitous plunges seen in U.S. markets. Measured in points, the Dow Jones has suffered its two largest drops in history, just in recent days.



What about Canadian markets? U.S. markets are primarily larger-cap companies while Canadian markets have a much higher percentage of junior corporations. While Canadian markets have sagged, they haven’t experienced the extreme swings seen in U.S. markets – either in absolute or percentage terms.

So what is on the minds of Stockhouse investors as previously calm global markets begin to gyrate wildly? Surprise, surprise. The Stockhouse Community is still focused mostly on cannabis stocks.

In recent weeks, the biggest hub at Stockhouse has been the Aurora Cannabis Inc (TSX: ACB, OTCQB: ACBFF, Forum) bulletin board. A look at the ACB chart is representative of the trading of many cannabis stocks in recent days.


(click to enlarge)

Two strongly negative days (February 2nd and February 5th) took cannabis stocks down sharply, along with pretty much every other listing in markets. However, since that time these companies have regained most (and in some cases all) of that lost ground.

Elsewhere on the Top-10 Bullboards, once again familiar cannabis names dominate. Behind Aurora Cannabis is fellow industry heavyweight, Canopy Growth Corp. (TSX: WEED, OTCQB: TWMJF, Forum). Other cannabis names that follow are (in order) Matica Enterprises Inc (CSE: MMJ, OTCQB: MQXPF, Forum). Matica just cryptically announced its intent to acquire “a controlling interest in a Quebec based health and personal care research and innovation technology company”.

After that is Isodiol International Inc. (CSE: ISOL, OTCQB: ISOLF, Forum). ISOL just announced the appointment of several “brand ambassadors”. Behind Isodiol on the cannabis list are Aphria Inc. (TSX: APH, OTCQB: APHQF, Forum), Cannabis Wheaton Income Corp. (TSX: V.CBW, OTCQB: CBWTF, Forum), Friday Night Inc. (CSE: TGIF, OTCQB: TGIFF, Forum), and Namaste Technologies Inc. (CSE: N, OTCQB: NXTTF, Forum).



Of course, the Stockhouse Bullboards are not only about cannabis companies. Reminding investors of this are two of Stockhouse’s tech favorites. In the #3 position today is Theralase Technologies Inc. (TSX: V.TLT, OTCQB: TLTFF, Forum). TLT just announced enrollment of a new patient in its anti-cancer clinical trials. In the #7 position today is ProMetic Life Sciences Inc (TSX: PLI, OTCQB: PFSCF, Forum). This biotech company has a broad range of health-tech initiatives.

Markets go up, markets go down. U.S. markets (in particular) went way, way higher. Now they are giving back some ground. Is this temporary turbulence, or the start of a more serious correction?

No one can supply a precise answer to this question. However, for investors interested in discussing this topic, there are few better places to go than the Stockhouse Bullboards.


FULL DISCLOSURE: Matica Enterprises Inc., Isodiol International Inc., and Friday Night Inc. are paid clients of Stockhouse Publishing.