Articles By Pankaj Gupta

These small stocks may seem harmless, but when you buy too many you may find that they add up to quite a lot of money. Be careful to invest only small amounts of your stock market budget in the beginning. The penny stock market is technically outside of the NASDAQ’s regulation and the SEC warns that they are highly volatile and should be handled with care.

The penny stock market is vicious, lucrative, and captivating. The draw for first-time buyers is usually their price, which typically runs well below $5 per share. This financial fluidity means that not only do penny stocks sell OTC (outside of the NASDAQ and similar arenas), but they also trade at lightning speeds. Still, savvy investors can make a pretty penny—no pun intended—if they know what is going on.

Penny stocks are for those of the gambling persuasion. These high-risk assets can yield extremely large turnovers in no time at all, only to lose their entire value the next day; although if you’re feeling lucky, you can try your hand at penny stocks and reap the benefits of over-the-counter trading without a broker as your go-between.

Penny stocks are traded on the OTC market, so do your homework before venturing out on your own. First of all, when approaching a company, there will usually be two bid prices and two ask prices. These figures, known as the “inside” and “outside” ask and bid, offer you four different pricing options if you are willing to negotiate.

Experts recommend that you shouldn’t invest more than 20% of your portfolio in penny stocks because of their unpredictable nature. They are the tiny yet feisty fighters of the stock world—sometimes they pull through and beat the odds, but other times they explode into a nightmare of losses. So, start small. Keep your penny stock investments low at first until you have seen how your picks perform.

Go with trusted opinions. And by trusted opinions we mean someone you really trust. You should also be able to trust yourself, so be educated. Watch the stock’s performance before buying, do your homework about the company, and cull the critiques of analysts without ulterior motives.

Be aware that penny stocks, because of their quick trading and fluid nature, may be inaccurately quoted to you by both companies and brokers. While it is certain that much technically criminal activity occurs in the penny stock market, much of it is difficult to catch and often goes unpunished, so it’s up to smart investors to protect themselves.

Penny stocks are nimble little stocks that make their moves quickly and can be bewildering to choose from. Rule number one: if you can’t afford to lose the money that you are investing in your penny stock of choice, then you should not be doing it. Speculation is best suited to those looking to grow their extra income. Do not use money you need.

The perfect investor would have a functioning crystal ball. As it is, even the best stock pickers in the market are always guessing to some degree. Keep that in mind as you attempt to pick your stocks, and remember to always start small and test the stock’s performance before you sink more money into it. This exercise may take only a couple of days in the penny stock market because of the incredible speed with which these small stocks are exchanged.

Penny stocks are usually marketed by newer companies, but “new” is a relative term. If the company you buy from is young, they will naturally be running their accounts at a loss for up to five years. More than that is excessive, though. And it is a smarter bet to buy from companies older than five years, simply to avoid problems frequently associated with starting up (one of these is total collapse and bankruptcy).

First of all, choose a reliable website. It is not difficult to buy penny stocks online. Although not a technical necessity, brokers are commonly used and reputable firms will have well-done, easy-to-use websites. If you have never heard the name of a firm you are investigating, be sure to check around. Searches can pull up databases of commonly used sites but make sure to find a list that includes reviews.

Stock brokers, because they are specialists, can provide you with peace of mind in your investments. That’s why it is so important to pick a good broker, especially when dealing with volatile investments like penny stocks—these tiny yet powerful money-movers are enough trouble without losing cash to a crooked stock broker. Yes, you will have to pay commission, but it might pay off in the long run. No, not all penny stock brokers are criminals. Research carefully before committing yourself to one of them.

Using the Internet as your penny stock purchasing tool can save you time, but it can also be far less reliable. If you are just beginning your foray into the world of penny stocks and have decided to use a broker as your guide, you may find it safer to opt for a conventional purchasing method, such as going to a firm in person and sitting down with someone.

Penny stock brokers charge you for all kinds of things. Of course they take commission, but they also charge a service fee for transactions done on your account; like lawyers, they charge for any advice given whether casual or formal; they charge for their organized newsletters that tip you off to good stock opportunities; and they sometimes even charge a hefty fee to get you started in all of this.