The term penny stocks generally refers to any stocks that trade outside the major stock exchanges and is taken as 'deprecatory'. The major stock exchanges would include: NASDAQ, AMEX, or NYSE. The term Penny stock is also often used interchangeably with small caps and nano caps. The title of penny stock however should be determined by the share price rather than the listing service or market capitalization.
Penny stocks often have market caps lower than $500 million. This makes it highly speculative for those who trade low volumes 'over the counter'. Some believe that penny stocks are difficult to sell once purchased because of the difficulty in locating quotes on particular penny stocks. Investors in these stocks are expected to understand that the loss of their entire investment is a viable risk.
Despite the risks involved, penny stocks are attractive to new investors because of the low initial price and the possibility of quick payouts of up to 100 percent in some circumstances. Just as there is the potential of high profits, that potential comes with the risk of substantial losses. Penny stocks are considered high-risk investments. As a result investors should be aware that these stocks have a limited amount of liquidity and fraud in addition to a lack of financial reporting.
Penny stocks have fewer shareholders. This makes them less liquid than stocks of larger companies. It also means that it will buy and sell less shares. The fact that less shares are traded generally results in unpredictable stock prices. This can either make the prices rise sharply or suddenly decline. The lack of liquidity within this market leaves it wide open to exploitations by market makers, management, and other parties. These stocks can also be difficult to sell quickly as some days there simply are no buyers.
Another reason for this lack of liquidity is the minimal listing requirements for smaller market listings as compared to NASDAQ or NYSE. Companies that have fallen below requirements for the larger exchanges have the opportunity to get listed on the OTCBB or Pink Sheets.
If you are comparing Pink Sheets to the major exchanges you might want to take note of the fact that Pink Sheets have very few regulatory requirements for those being listed. In other words, there is little protection in place for shareholders by way of accounting standards, notifications of ownerships of shares, etc.
These things combined make penny stocks very attractive tools for fraud. This does not at all mean that all stocks listed on the OTCBB are untrustworthy, it simply means that you should keep your eyes open when making deals on this market.
Penny shares work like an auction. It starts with an asking price set at the lowest value and then when the bidding starts, the price rises. If you're the seller, you check your starting price and compare it with the current bid. If your selling price is met, you trade and then the transaction is closed. The difference with an auction is that the price doesn't go down. Stock prices do. Today there a number of techniques being developed to monitor your penny stock info and bidding.
Researching - Any active stock investor would tell you that you have to do your own research. While penny stock advisors and brokerage firms help in facilitating your sale, it is always helpful to have your penny stock info ready when needed. The more you know, the better your opportunity to gain profit. The more you understand the trade, the lesser your chances of falling into the pit.
But sometimes, because of the availability of free information in the internet, it can be a bit difficult to make decisions. Especially if you are new to the business, experience is your better half. Be attentive and be very alert about fabricated information. This is a trading business and it involves money. You have to be able to know which penny stock info is reliable for your use.
Now, there are available softwares to help small cap investors and stock brokers monitor the stocks. The moment your stocks are pegged, it can be a roller coaster ride. Thus you need to stay close to the facts and observe your investment in the penny stock market. Here are some tips and information about how the transactions are made:
- Buying Penny Stocks - Set your funds ready and be sure you'll be able to pay the shares and your stock broker's commission.
- Symbols - These are initials or abbreviations of companies that are selling their shares to the public stock exchange. This is standardized for easy management, inventory, and recall.
- Stock Exchange - The more dependable stocks are being traded in major stock exchange. Examples are NASDAQ, NYSE, and AMEX.
- The Volume of Shares - Of course, you must be clear on your penny stock info sheets how much of the shares you want to buy or sell. But beware and don't fall into extra commissions being charged to you.
- The Open and Closing Dates. These are dates that you set your stock to be available for sale. This must also include active dates (dates when your shares are still open for bid) and the date when you hope to close your stocks.
- Selling Penny Stocks - It is important to take note of the above mentioned - the volume of shares to sell, ticker symbol, names of the stock and the stock exchange.
- The Share Price and the Dates - Again it is important not to miss out the selling price and the time span to which your stocks are active and open for bidding.
This isn't all. But this article doesn't intend to give you any penny stock info overload. Too much technical knowledge may not be a good practice. Take this investment carefully. Your penny stocks are good money and therefore delicate. Make haste slowly.
Both Christopher Smith & Rashel Dan are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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