What is a penny stock?

A penny stock typically refers to the stock of a small company that trades for less than $5 per share. Though some penny stocks trade on large exchanges such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), most trade via over-the-counter (OTC) transactions through the electronic OTC Bulletin Board (OTCBB) or through the privately-owned OTC Markets Group .

Why are penny stocks a bad investment?

Since many of the penny stocks are traded over-the-counter, the liquidity of the stocks is low. An investor may not always be able to sell the shares at the right time. Also, the low liquidity results in low trading volumes. Thus, even relatively small transactions can cause large swings in the price of the shares.

How does a penny stock get listed on the OTCBB?

A penny stock, like any other publicly traded stock, is created through a process called an initial public offering or IPO. To be listed on the OTCBB the company must first file a registration statement with the SEC or file stating the offering qualifies for an exemption from registration.

How do I know if a penny stock is profitable?

If possible, look for a stock with a positive EPS value — this indicates that the company is currently profitable. Most penny stocks represent smaller or newly formed corporations, so this may not always be possible.