The ETFMG Alternative Harvest ETF (NYSEArca: MJ), the only dedicated marijuana exchange traded fund listed in the U.S., rallied again Monday on news that soft-drink Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE: KO) is interested in partnering with a company that is a major MJ holding to make weed-infused drinks.
Shares of Aurora Cannabis, a Canadian weed producer and a top five holding in MJ, surged Monday on news Dow component Coca-Cola is in talks with the company.
Shares of Aurora “rallied more than 12 percent in early Canadian trading Monday after Canadian news service BNN Bloomberg reported Coca-Cola is in talks with Aurora to develop weed-infused beverages. Any partnership between the two would likely develop health-focused beverages aimed at easing inflammation, pain and cramping, the report said,” according to CNBC.
MJ seeks to provide investment results correspond generally to the total return performance of the Prime Alternative Harvest Index, which s concentrated in the pharmaceuticals and tobacco industries.
MJ Is Looking Good
Last month, MJ was one of the best-performing non-leveraged ETFs in the U.S. and the fund is extending that strength in September. The fund is higher by more than 6% over the past week and investors have been flocking to the ETF. Recently, investors added $100 million to the fund in just one week.
Many are betting on the continued growth of the cannabis industry as governments loosen controls over marijuana. For instance, beer maker Constellation Brands recently invested C$5 billion, or $3.8 billion, in Canopy Growth Corp., Denver Post reports.
Recently, Molson Coors Brewing Co. partnered with Hydropothecary Corp. to develop non-alcoholic, cannabis-infused beverages for the Canadian market. Heineken’s Lagunitas started a specialized non-alcoholic drinks infused with THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.
Coca-Cola did not confirm the talks with Aurora.
“Along with many others in the beverage industry, we are closely watching the growth of non-psychoactive CBD as an ingredient in functional wellness beverages around the world. The space is evolving quickly. No decisions have been made at this time,” said Coca-Cola in a statement to CNBC.
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