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CNBS vs MSOS
Which ETF would AI Choose? Amplify Seymour Cannabis ETF (CNBS) vs. AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis ETF (MSOS)
Key Takeaways
- Both CNBS and MSOS are actively managed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) providing exposure to the U.S. cannabis ecosystem, with a focus on multi-state operators (MSOs) and related businesses.
- CNBS maintains a broader portfolio with approximately 33 holdings and incorporates treasury securities for liquidity management, while MSOS employs a more concentrated approach centered on U.S. cannabis operators through total return swaps.
- Net expense ratios stand at 0.76% for CNBS and approximately 0.78% for MSOS, reflecting the costs of active management and derivative structures in this regulated sector.
- CNBS offers slightly greater diversification across plant, support, and ancillary cannabis segments, whereas MSOS emphasizes pure-play U.S. MSO exposure with higher assets under management (AUM) supporting greater liquidity.
- Both funds navigate federal regulatory constraints via swaps and derivatives, resulting in similar thematic risk profiles tied to cannabis legalization, state-level policies, and capital market access for operators.
- Structural differences in holdings concentration and collateral management influence relative positioning, with MSOS demonstrating stronger trading volume in recent market cycles.
Introduction
The cannabis sector continues to attract investor interest amid evolving state regulations and potential federal policy shifts. CNBS and MSOS serve as targeted vehicles for U.S.-focused cannabis exposure rather than direct competitors to broad-market ETFs. They represent alternative strategies within the same thematic niche, allowing investors to access multi-state operators and ancillary businesses through professionally managed, actively adjusted portfolios that address regulatory barriers via derivatives.
Amplify Seymour Cannabis ETF (CNBS) Overview
CNBS is an actively managed ETF launched in July 2019 that seeks capital appreciation by investing at least 80% of its assets in U.S. companies deriving significant revenue from the cannabis and hemp ecosystem. The fund classifies holdings across plant operations (cultivation, retail, pharmaceuticals), support services (agricultural technology, real estate), and ancillary businesses (devices, finance, media). It holds approximately 33 positions, with top exposures including Trulieve Cannabis Corp., Curaleaf Holdings Inc., and Green Thumb Industries through direct holdings and swaps. The net expense ratio is 0.76% after waivers. Portfolio manager Tim Seymour employs active selection, supplemented by treasury bill allocations for cash management and liquidity.
AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis ETF (MSOS) Overview
MSOS is an actively managed ETF launched in September 2020 that targets growth by allocating at least 80% of assets to U.S. companies engaged in cannabis or hemp activities, primarily multi-state operators. The strategy relies heavily on total return swaps and derivative collateral to gain economic exposure while complying with federal restrictions. Holdings number around 10-25 effective positions, concentrated in names such as Trulieve Cannabis Corp. and Curaleaf Holdings Inc. The net expense ratio is approximately 0.78%. With substantially larger AUM, the fund benefits from enhanced liquidity and trading efficiency in this specialized sector.
Industry and Thematic Backdrop
The U.S. cannabis industry operates under a patchwork of state-level legalization frameworks, with operators facing ongoing challenges in banking, interstate commerce, and federal taxation. Recent cycles have featured capital raising difficulties for MSOs, shifting investor sentiment around potential rescheduling or reform, and competition from ancillary service providers. Macroeconomic factors such as interest rate environments influence operator financing costs, while sector risks include regulatory uncertainty, supply chain constraints, and valuation volatility tied to earnings consistency among top holdings.
Performance and Positioning Comparison
In recent market cycles, both ETFs have exhibited sensitivity to cannabis sector rotation and earnings reports from core MSO holdings. CNBS has shown moderate volatility influenced by its broader holdings mix and treasury allocations, providing some ballast during periods of equity weakness. MSOS, with its concentrated swap-based structure and larger scale, has demonstrated tighter correlation to pure U.S. operator performance and higher trading volumes, enabling more responsive positioning amid interest rate expectations and state policy developments. Relative positioning favors diversification in CNBS versus liquidity-driven efficiency in MSOS.
AI Screener
Tickeron’s AI Screener is an AI-powered stock and ETF discovery tool that helps traders and investors filter the market based on technical patterns, fundamentals, trends, volatility, and AI-driven signals. Users can scan thousands of stocks and ETFs using customizable filters such as industry, market capitalization, technical indicators, price patterns, and performance metrics. The screener helps identify trade ideas, trending stocks, breakout candidates, and market opportunities more efficiently than manual screening. Explore opportunities with the AI Screener.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable structural factors, Tickeron’s AI would currently assign a modest probabilistic edge to MSOS due to its larger scale, superior liquidity profile, and concentrated focus on high-conviction U.S. MSO exposure. CNBS offers compelling diversification and a marginally lower net expense ratio, supporting its appeal for investors prioritizing broader ecosystem coverage. Selection depends on individual preferences for concentration versus breadth within the cannabis thematic space.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is CNBS is a Hold and MSOS is a Hold.
CNBS saw its Stochastic Oscillator recovers from the overbought zone
The Stochastic Oscillator for CNBS moved out of overbought territory on November 05, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock and investors may want to consider selling or taking a defensive position. A.I.dvisor looked at 52 similar instances where the indicator exited the overbought zone. In 49 of the 52 cases the stock moved lower. This puts the odds of a downward move at 90%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bearish Trend Analysis
The 10-day moving average for CNBS crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on October 07, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In 14 of 17 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 82%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where CNBS declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 90%.
CNBS broke above its upper Bollinger Band on November 03, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
The Aroon Indicator for CNBS entered a downward trend on October 28, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator points to a transition from a downward trend to an upward trend -- in cases where CNBS's RSI Oscillator exited the oversold zone, 35 of 40 resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 88%.
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 30, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on CNBS as a result. In 68 of 75 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 90%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for CNBS just turned positive on October 27, 2026. Looking at past instances where CNBS's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 36 of 38 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 90%.
Following a +11.91% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where CNBS advanced for three days, in 197 of 224 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 88%.
Momentum Indicator for MSOS turns positive, indicating new upward trend
MSOS saw its Momentum Indicator move above the 0 level on October 30, 2026. This is an indication that the stock could be shifting in to a new upward move. Traders may want to consider buying the stock or buying call options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 79 similar instances where the indicator turned positive. In 75 of the 79 cases, the stock moved higher in the following days. The odds of a move higher are at 90%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator points to a transition from a downward trend to an upward trend -- in cases where MSOS's RSI Indicator exited the oversold zone, 27 of 32 resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 84%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for MSOS just turned positive on October 28, 2026. Looking at past instances where MSOS's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 36 of 37 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 90%.
Following a +13.96% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where MSOS advanced for three days, in 196 of 224 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 88%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator may be shifting from an upward trend to a downward trend. In 46 of 49 cases where MSOS's Stochastic Oscillator exited the overbought zone, the price fell further within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 90%.
The 10-day moving average for MSOS crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on October 08, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In 14 of 14 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 90%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where MSOS declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 90%.
MSOS broke above its upper Bollinger Band on November 03, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
The Aroon Indicator for MSOS entered a downward trend on October 28, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
| CNBS | MSOS | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 88% | 1 day ago 84% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 90% | 1 day ago 90% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 90% | 1 day ago 90% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 90% | 1 day ago 90% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 90% | 1 day ago 90% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 90% | 1 day ago 90% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 7 days ago 88% | 7 days ago 88% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 90% | 5 days ago 90% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 90% | 1 day ago 90% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 86% | 1 day ago 90% |
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CNBS and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, CNBS has been closely correlated with TRLV. These tickers have moved in lockstep 91% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if CNBS jumps, then TRLV could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To CNBS | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNBS | 100% | -3.33% | ||
| TRLV - CNBS | 91% Closely correlated | -4.76% | ||
| IIPR - CNBS | 49% Loosely correlated | +1.29% | ||
| AFCG - CNBS | 10% Poorly correlated | +8.36% | ||
| RYM - CNBS | 9% Poorly correlated | +7.99% | ||
| IMCC - CNBS | 8% Poorly correlated | -1.80% | ||
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