Tilray (TSX:TLRY) Brands stock resumed the downward trend and crashed to its all-time low after suffering a major setback in the United States. TLRY shares plunged to a low of $1.36 on Monday, bringing the year-to-date losses to 36%. It has also retreated by over 50% from its highest level this year, bringing its valuation to $1.2 billion.
Republican sweep, American dreams deferred
Tilray Brands and other cannabis stocks suffered a harsh reversal after last week’s elections in the United States.
Republicans swept three important areas: the presidency, the House of Representatives, and the Senate. Donald Trump even won the popular vote, the first time a Republican candidate has done that.
At the same time, several state cannabis initiatives in Florida, North Dakota, and South Dakota failed to attract the majority.
This election means that the US may not have federal cannabis legislation any time soon. Besides, many Republican officials still believe in leaving the cannabis issue to individual states.
The other notable thing is that the Trump administration may decide to do away with the cannabis reclassification process that started a few months ago. That move by the Department of Health and Human Services would reclassify it from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3. It is waiting for final approval by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
If the reclassification process works, then medical professionals will be granted approval to prescribe various cabbanis products. It would also lower some of the taxes that the industry continues to grapple with.
The Senate, under Chuck Schumer, has also been working on a cannabis banking bill that would make it easier for companies in the industry to access banking services. While cannabis is legal in most states, many large banks still don’t accept companies in the industry.
These developments are notable for Tilray Brands, a Canadian company that does not have a big presence in the country’s cannabis industry. In numerous statements, the management has reiterated that the company would enter the US when the regulatory environment improves.
Tilray Brands diversification is going on
On the positive side, Tilray Brands is no longer just a cannabis company, which sets itself apart from other companies.
In the past few years, the company has worked to diversify its business by investing in wellness and alcoholic beverages. For example, last week, the company reported positive results from a study on oral cannabis extract for chemotherapy-induced emesis.
The most recent results showed that Tilray Brands diversification strategies have started to pay off. Its revenue rose by 13% in the last quarter to $200 million.
Most of this revenue, about $68.1 million, came from distribution, followed by cannabis and beverage alcohol, which made over $61.2 million and $56 million, respectively. The company hopes that the alcohol business will become a crucial part of its business.
Still, a key concern is that Tilray is investing in the alcoholic business, which has shown some substantial weakness in the past few years. Alcohol consumption among young people has dropped, which explains why most stocks have retreated.
Tlray Brands is also narrowing its losses as it works towards breaking even in the next few years. Its net loss narrowed to $34 million from $55 million in the same period last year. After making a $1.4 billion loss in 2022, it narrowed to $222.4 million in the last financial year.
Read more: Tilray Brands stock sits at a make-or-break price: now what?
Tilray Brands stock price analysis
TLRY chart by TradingView
The daily chart shows that the TLRY share price has been in a strong bearish trend in the past few months. It crashed below the key support level at $1.61, its lowest point in November last year and May this year. It was the lower side of the descending triangle chart pattern.
The stock has also remained below the 50-day and 100-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMA). It has also formed a head and shoulders pattern. Therefore, the Tilray Brands stock price will likely remain under pressure in the near term. If this happens, the next point to watch will be at $1.2.