Sundial vs. Curaleaf: Which Cannabis Stock Is a Better Buy?

: SNDL | Sundial Growers Inc. News, Ratings, and Charts

SNDL – The cannabis industry in the U.S. and Canada continues to expand, making Sundial Growers (SNDL) and Curaleaf (CURLF) interesting potential investments right now. But if you take a closer look, one company continues to grow its revenue and earnings at an enviable rate while the other is grappling with shareholder dilution and declining sales.

Cannabis investors have seen a significant decline in their portfolio value this year. Cannabis stocks in the U.S. have fallen after the euphoria surrounding pot legalization seems to have taken a back seat in recent months. Last year, Joe Biden’s administration was expected to legalize, or at least decriminalize marijuana consumption at the federal level. But there has been no development on either of these fronts.

Alternatively, Canadian pot stocks continue to be impacted by widening losses, weak financials, accelerated dilution of shareholder wealth and several other factors.

Given the substantial pullback in cannabis stocks this year, let’s see which between Sundial Growers (SNDL) and Curaleaf (CURLF) is a better stock to buy on the dip right now. Sundial is a Canadian marijuana producer and Curaleaf has a huge presence in the U.S.

Sundial Growers is fundamentally weak

Valued at a market cap of $1.42 billion, shares of Sundial Growers are down over 90% from record highs. Due to its popularity as a meme stock, Sundial has been extremely volatile this year. 

While the Canadian marijuana market continues to expand, Sundial has seen its sales fall from $75.8 million in 2019 to $60.19 million in 2020. Analysts expect sales to further decline by more than 20% to $45.48 million in 2021. However, according to data from Yahoo Finance, Sundial sales are poised to more than triple to $214 million in 2022.

Over the last few months, Sundial has reduced its product portfolio to focus on high-margin items and boost its bottom-line. In order to offset cash burn, Sundial raised equity capital several times over the past year which diluted shareholder wealth but allowed the company to eliminate debt and pivot to a new business vertical.

In the second quarter of 2021, Sundial in fact generated significant revenue from its investment business where it provides capital to other marijuana companies.

Curaleaf is valued at a market cap of $7.7 billion

One of the largest marijuana producers in the world, Curaleaf is valued at a market cap of $7.6 billion. It has 109 dispensary locations and operates in 23 states. At the time of writing, Curaleaf stock is down 40% from all-time highs allowing investors to buy the dip.

In the second quarter of 2020, Curaleaf’s sales grew by 166% year over year to $312 million, indicating an annual revenue run rate of $1.2 billion. In the last 12-months, its  total sales stood at $985 million and are forecast to touch $2.27 billion in 2022. This values the stock at a forward price to 2022 sales multiple of less than 4x which is extremely attractive.

While several cannabis producers are grappling with mounting losses, Curaleaf is forecast to report an earnings of $0.25 per share in 2022, compared to a loss of $0.11 per share in 2020.

By the end of 2022, Curaleaf expects to have 60 dispensaries in the state of Florida which is among the largest medical marijuana markets in the U.S. and will be a key driver of revenue for the company in the future. Analysts tracking Curaleaf stock remain optimistic and expect its shares to more than double in the next year.

The final verdict

The comparison between Sundial and Curaleaf seems like a no contest. While Curaleaf is growing at a rapid pace and racing towards profitability, Sundial is still figuring out its business model. Therefore, I believe Curaleaf is a better investment in the long term, as it has enough tailwinds to derive outsized gains going forward. 

Want More Great Investing Ideas?

3 Stocks to DOUBLE This Year


SNDL shares . Year-to-date, SNDL has gained 43.61%, versus a 22.19% rise in the benchmark S&P 500 index during the same period.


About the Author: Aditya Raghunath


Aditya Raghunath is a financial journalist who writes about business, public equities, and personal finance. His work has been published on several digital platforms in the U.S. and Canada, including The Motley Fool, Finscreener, and Market Realist. More...


More Resources for the Stocks in this Article

TickerPOWR RatingIndustry RankRank in Industry
SNDLGet RatingGet RatingGet Rating
CURLFGet RatingGet RatingGet Rating

Most Popular Stories on StockNews.com


How Much Resistance @ 6,000 for Stocks?

The post-election rally was an exciting burst for the stock market. With that the S&P 500 (SPY) made new highs just above 6,000. Since then stocks have struggled begging the question: what happens next? 44 year investing veteran Steve Reitmeister provides the answers along with his top 11 stocks to buy now.

3 Streaming Stocks Benefiting from Cord-Cutting Trends

As streaming continues to dominate the digital entertainment landscape, the global streaming market presents a lucrative investment opportunity. So, it could be ideal to invest in fundamentally solid streaming stocks Netflix (NFLX), Walt Disney (DIS), and Roku (ROKU). Read further...

3 Gold Stocks to Buy as Safe-Haven Demand Grows

Gold is a stable investment now due to its role as a safe-haven asset during economic uncertainty, rising demand, industrial use, and growth, bolstered by central bank purchases and interest rate cuts. Therefore, investors should consider investing in top gold stocks such as Newmont (NEM), Barrick Gold (GOLD), and Agnico Eagle Mines (AEM). Read more...

3 AI Stocks Transforming Industries and Driving Future Growth

With rapid digitalization, rapid adoption, and development, as well as surging demand, the AI market is on the rise. Amid this backdrop, investors could buy fundamentally solid AI stocks NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA), Microsoft (MSFT), and Meta Platforms (META) poised for substantial gains. Continue reading...

Does Trump Change Stock Market Outlook?

The rally of the S&P 500 (SPY) after the election gives a sense that investors are happy that Trump was elected. But perhaps there is more to this story than meets the eye. That’s why Steve Reitmeister shares his updated market outlook taking into account the pros and cons of Trumps proposed new policies. This comes with a preview of his top 11 stocks to buy now.

Read More Stories

More Sundial Growers Inc. (SNDL) News View All

Event/Date Symbol News Detail Start Price End Price Change POWR Rating
Loading, please wait...
View All SNDL News