Cronos Group Inc (CVE:CRON) (NASDAQ:CRON) and Aphria Inc (TSE:APH) (OTCMKTS:APHQF) (FRA:10E) became among the first major Canadian cannabis stocks to completely reverse into positive territory today. For investors holding through 30+ percent losses over the past six sessions, the rebound provides a much-needed respite.

Cronos Group was the first major to completely vanquish its bearish beginnings. After printing as low as $7.51/share immediately on-open—down ↓42.23% on a peak-to-trough basis since October 16th—shares finally found a bid. CRON jumped around ↑10% within the first half hour, before settling around the opening range midpoint. After some brief consolidation, Cronos raced higher once more, turning positive by early afternoon. It became the first large cap (market cap over $1B) Canadian LP to do so.

Aphria is another name leading the sharp rebound is prices. While its performance strongly correlated with Canopy Growth for most of the session, an interesting thing happened: APH began precipitously outperforming CGC.

We can see the out-performance beginning just after 1:00pm EST. While it’s unclear the impetus behind the dichotomy, it’s worth noting that similar to Aurora Cannabis Inc., Aphria will begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange in a matter of days. While that catalyst hasn’t exactly helped ACB shares recently, U.S. exchange up-listing has been a remarkably reliable stimulant in neutral or uptrending cannabis markets. With Canopy Growth (CGC) closing above its lower-high bottom of $39.71 on the hourly at 1:00pm, that may have been the signal that the ‘U.S. up-listing trade’ was back on.

2:40 pm EST

Another possible reason for Aphria’s turbocharged performance was news making the rounds that pot stock weakness could prompt next big deal. Although the story was published before eight o’clock this morning, it took time before the story started making the rounds on social media.

Aphria CEO Vic Neufeld addresses rumors regarding the company’s reported talks with Altria Group, one of the world’s largest tobacco producers

Of course, there’s no Canadian LP more linked to potential cannabev and corporate partnership talks than Aphria. In the past few months, they have reportedly been in talks with Molson Coors Brewing Co., Coca-Cola Co., and most recently, Altria Group Inc. As Aphria’s share price declines, the company theoretically becomes a more attractive partnership candidate—especially in regards to direct-equity ownership and warrant issuance.

At publishing time, the dichotomy has only advanced, with Aphria higher by ↑7.55%, vs. middling gains by both Cronos Group and Canopy Growth.