Forget About Aurora Cannabis Inc. (TSX:ACB): I Prefer This Growth Stock for My TFSA

Here’s why I prefer to buy up Spin Master Corp (TSX:TOY) shares instead.

Kay Ng

Kay began investing in dividend stocks around 2008 via the concept of value investing. Since then, she has expanded into growth investing, including in small caps. Her passion for investing has only grown over the years! After graduating from UBC with a BSc in Computer Science, she took university courses in financial markets, finance, and financial accounting. She has contributed her works to Motley Fool, Sure Dividend, and Seeking Alpha.

Published March 17, 2019 7:26 am EDT

So far, like many other cannabis companies, Aurora Cannabis has trouble posting profit consistently, which can cause the stock to fly all over the place. For example, all within 2018, Aurora Cannabis stock lost more than half of its value, and then it more than doubled before falling again by about a half.

Sure, Aurora Cannabis can be an excellent trading stock, but it may be too dizzy of a volatile roller coaster ride for certain investors. Personally, I prefer Spin Master (TSX: TOY) as the growth stock for my TFSA right now.

TOY data by YCharts. Spin Master’s price returns since inception compared to the Canadian and U.S. stock markets.

The market hates Spin Master stock right now

The market simply hates Spin Master after it had a horrible fourth quarter. What used to be its largest segment in Q4 2017 — the Remote Control & Interactive Characters segment — saw gross product sales fall 46%. The segment included previously hot-selling brands (e.g., Hatchimals, Zoomers, and Air Hogs) whose sales simply fell off the cliff. (Perhaps sales were outrageously successful in Q4 2017.)

Thankfully, Spin Master experienced gross product sales growth in all other segments, which picked up the slack and offset most of the sales decline for the one poor segment. Overall, the company ended with revenue decline of 6% for the quarter.

Spin Master is a proven innovator and is highly profitable

Since 2000, Spin Master has received 103 Toy of the Year (TOTY) nominations with 28 wins across various product categories, including 13 TOTY nominations for Innovative Toy of the Year.

The growth company is led by co-founders Ronnen Harary and Anton Rabie who have guided the company to the success it is today. They still own huge stakes in the company. It’s not a matter of if, but a matter of when Spin Master will come out with the next big win.

By the way, Spin Master doesn’t just make toys. To date, it has also produced eight television series, including the recently relaunched Bakugan Battle Brawlers and current hit PAW Patrol, which is broadcast in more than 160 countries and territories around the world.

Additionally, Spin Master’s app revenue has experienced tremendous growth thanks to its foresight of making a couple of acquisitions in 2016.

Despite a bad quarter, Spin Master still posted a decent 2018 with revenue of US$1.6 billion and adjusted EBITDA of US$303 million. Net margin was 9.5%.

Investor takeaway

Spin Master had a bad quarter, but it’s only a matter of time before management rights the ship. Now is a great time to start accumulating Spin Master stock for future growth before the company comes out with the next popular thing.

Investors may be able to grab the stock at a cheaper price over the next six months, though. So, there’s no need to back up the truck just yet.

Currently, Thomson Reuters has a 12-month mean target of US$37.20 per share on Spin Master, which represents more than 30% near-term upside potential.