Markets
Comparing THC vs. CBD: What’s the Difference?
The business of legal cannabis is rapidly growing on both medicinal and recreational fronts. In fact, last year legal cannabis sales soared in the United States to $5.4 billion, a 17.4% increase.
However, cannabis itself is a fairly perplexing substance. It has close to 500 active compounds, and at least 113 of these belong to a family of diverse chemical compounds called cannabinoids.
Of this group, the two most common and researched compounds are THC and CBD – but they are vastly different. As new strains and product offerings become available in the legal cannabis sector, it is more important than ever before for investors to understand the difference between these two compounds.
Comparing THC vs. CBD: What’s the Difference?
The following infographic comes to us from food sciences company Lexaria Bioscience (OTCQB:LXRP) (CSE:LXX) and it shows the key differences between THC and CBD. It provides fundamental knowledge for investors, patients, and regulators that want to better understand this quickly growing sector of business.
In the comparison of THC vs. CBD, it’s clear that the two compounds are vastly different. While they both interact with receptors in the body, they produce different effects.
To start, THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is a psychoactive compound while CBD, or cannabidiol, does not affect the mind in the same capacity.
THC has the following effects on a user:
- Analgesic: Relieves pain and inflammation
- Relaxing: Creates sense of relaxation and well-being
- Drowsiness: Induces sleep
- Euphoria: Creates “high”
- Appetite Stimulant: Creates urge to eat
While CBD’s medicinal effects are making CBD-heavy strains a popular choice for patients:
- Anti-inflammatory: Combats inflammation and pain
- Anticonvulsant: Suppresses seizure activity
- Antiemetic: Reduces nausea and vomiting
- Antipsychotic: Combats psychosis
- Anti-oxidant: Combats neurodegenerative diseases
- Anti-depressant: Combats anxiety and depression
- Anti-tumoral: Combats tumor and cancer cells
- Neuro-protective: May protect neurons in the brain
As a result of these effects, THC is typically used to treat pain, nausea, sleep apnea, or stress disorders, as well as to combat the symptoms or side effects of chemotherapy, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, AIDS, or spinal injuries.
CBD, on the other hand, is being used to treat inflammation, stress, depression and anxiety, while also being used to combat cancer, epilepsy, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, migraines, arthritis, and the side effects of cancer treatments.
Markets
The European Stock Market: Attractive Valuations Offer Opportunities
On average, the European stock market has valuations that are nearly 50% lower than U.S. valuations. But how can you access the market?
European Stock Market: Attractive Valuations Offer Opportunities
Europe is known for some established brands, from L’Oréal to Louis Vuitton. However, the European stock market offers additional opportunities that may be lesser known.
The above infographic, sponsored by STOXX, outlines why investors may want to consider European stocks.
Attractive Valuations
Compared to most North American and Asian markets, European stocks offer lower or comparable valuations.
Index | Price-to-Earnings Ratio | Price-to-Book Ratio |
---|---|---|
EURO STOXX 50 | 14.9 | 2.2 |
STOXX Europe 600 | 14.4 | 2 |
U.S. | 25.9 | 4.7 |
Canada | 16.1 | 1.8 |
Japan | 15.4 | 1.6 |
Asia Pacific ex. China | 17.1 | 1.8 |
Data as of February 29, 2024. See graphic for full index names. Ratios based on trailing 12 month financials. The price to earnings ratio excludes companies with negative earnings.
On average, European valuations are nearly 50% lower than U.S. valuations, potentially offering an affordable entry point for investors.
Research also shows that lower price ratios have historically led to higher long-term returns.
Market Movements Not Closely Connected
Over the last decade, the European stock market had low-to-moderate correlation with North American and Asian equities.
The below chart shows correlations from February 2014 to February 2024. A value closer to zero indicates low correlation, while a value of one would indicate that two regions are moving in perfect unison.
EURO STOXX 50 | STOXX EUROPE 600 | U.S. | Canada | Japan | Asia Pacific ex. China |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EURO STOXX 50 | 1.00 | 0.97 | 0.55 | 0.67 | 0.24 | 0.43 |
STOXX EUROPE 600 | 1.00 | 0.56 | 0.71 | 0.28 | 0.48 | |
U.S. | 1.00 | 0.73 | 0.12 | 0.25 | ||
Canada | 1.00 | 0.22 | 0.40 | |||
Japan | 1.00 | 0.88 | ||||
Asia Pacific ex. China | 1.00 |
Data is based on daily USD returns.
European equities had relatively independent market movements from North American and Asian markets. One contributing factor could be the differing sector weights in each market. For instance, technology makes up a quarter of the U.S. market, but health care and industrials dominate the broader European market.
Ultimately, European equities can enhance portfolio diversification and have the potential to mitigate risk for investors.
Tracking the Market
For investors interested in European equities, STOXX offers a variety of flagship indices:
Index | Description | Market Cap |
---|---|---|
STOXX Europe 600 | Pan-regional, broad market | €10.5T |
STOXX Developed Europe | Pan-regional, broad-market | €9.9T |
STOXX Europe 600 ESG-X | Pan-regional, broad market, sustainability focus | €9.7T |
STOXX Europe 50 | Pan-regional, blue-chip | €5.1T |
EURO STOXX 50 | Eurozone, blue-chip | €3.5T |
Data is as of February 29, 2024. Market cap is free float, which represents the shares that are readily available for public trading on stock exchanges.
The EURO STOXX 50 tracks the Eurozone’s biggest and most traded companies. It also underlies one of the world’s largest ranges of ETFs and mutual funds. As of November 2023, there were €27.3 billion in ETFs and €23.5B in mutual fund assets under management tracking the index.
“For the past 25 years, the EURO STOXX 50 has served as an accurate, reliable and tradable representation of the Eurozone equity market.”
— Axel Lomholt, General Manager at STOXX
Partnering with STOXX to Track the European Stock Market
Are you interested in European equities? STOXX can be a valuable partner:
- Comprehensive, liquid and investable ecosystem
- European heritage, global reach
- Highly sophisticated customization capabilities
- Open architecture approach to using data
- Close partnerships with clients
- Part of ISS STOXX and Deutsche Börse Group
With a full suite of indices, STOXX can help you benchmark against the European stock market.
Learn how STOXX’s European indices offer liquid and effective market access.
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