Penny Stock: The penny stocks or shares are an investment options for those who have a small amount for investment and are willing to take risk. These stocks are generally available in very small amount and even a small investor can take a risk of investing few cents in these stocks.
Although there is some risk associated with every investment in financial market, penny stocks are good option for investment if you have some disposable amount, as here a small amount will be at risk. Broker or dealers trade these stocks and it is better to understand the financial terms associated with penny stocks. I would like to add that if you are looking some penny stocks for investment, you should learn more about penny stocks and you can find the relevant information about the subject on stock newsletter and message boards.
Stock Trading: Penny stocks are very speculative and have a market capitalization of around 500 million. These stocks are traded over the counter and the trading is governed by the SEC rules and guidelines on penny stocks. U.S Securities and Exchange Commission have laid down some rules for investment and trading in penny stocks and a beginner should keep these rules in mind before buying or trading in penny stocks.
SEC Rules on Penny Stocks: Broker-dealer registration compliance is must before buying or trading any penny stocks. A broker or dealer should get a written request and thereafter should approve the investor.
SEC further rules that a customer desirous to purchase a penny stock should be provided a document mentioning the risk involved in the penny stock. The broker or dealer should also inform the customer the current market rate of the penny stock and the commission that will be charged by the broker.
The provisions made in the appropriate sections also put a mandatory requirement of providing monthly statement to the investor showing rates of each penny stock held by the investor in his account.
Sometimes the other terms such as small caps and micro cap are also used for these companies and The United States Securities and Exchange Commission has defined penny stock as a low-priced below $ 5.0 speculative securities of very small companies.
Many small companies have low assets and offer the stocks at very low price. These low price stocks known as penny stocks are traded over the counter generally in low volumes.
The Securities and Exchange Commission strictly adheres that penny stock is low priced speculative stock and the term penny stock does not relate on market capitalization or it’s trading at the exchanges (NYSE, NASDAQ) or over the counter.
Summary: Penny stock’s definition by the Securities and Exchange commission is strictly on the basis of its value and it does not depend on other parameters such as the companies market capitalization or its listing. Investor should carefully examine all the factors associated with penny stocks before investing in them.
Trading of penny stocks
Introduction to penny stocks: The trading of the regular stocks is generally takes place at the various stock exchanges, however penny stocks trading generally takes place outside of the national stock exchanges such as NYSE and NASDAQ. In general penny stocks are traded in over the counter market or OTCBB and pink sheets and some of the shares are available for pennies. A few penny stocks has a huge potential to reach the better levels and even competes the regular stocks, however there is a need to correctly identify these stocks. Smaller companies whose market capitalization is below 5 million offer the penny stocks and as soon as the company grows, there is a sharp increase in the penny stock prices.
Share markets:
The major stock exchanges include the NYSE, NASDAQ, OTCBB and pink sheets. Penny stocks are generally traded at OTCBB and pink sheets, however as per the guidelines of SEC penny stocks can be traded in all the exchanges.
There are various minimum requirements for listing of shares by the companies at NYSE and NASDAQ. There is only one requirement for trading of penny stocks at OTCBB and that is the company should remain current in SEC filing. There is no place for a penny stock quotation if the stock does not meet the minimum standards set by different stock exchanges or OTCBB. Sometimes the penny stocks already being quoted at OTCBB, do not meet the SEC requirement will be allowed a certain period for completing the formalities and if the companies do not fulfill the required condition even after a 30 or 60 period of grace time, the penny stocks will be removed from their listing.
Pink sheets play a major role in over the counter trading. National Quotation Bureau or NQB provides this service. In actual the NQB prints the details of share prices and other information on pink sheets, as it is difficult to obtain the prices of these shares otherwise. Most of the time brokers get the price and other information on penny stocks from market makers and provide it to the customers. In today’s Internet era, you can find the details of penny stocks just a click away at the website of pink sheet. A company has to meet the minimum requirement of pink sheet for listing and quoting of the share at pink sheets.
Companies prefer to list the shares at NYSE, as it is highly preferred stock exchange. The next preference is given to NASDAQ and then comes the NASDAQSC. NASDAQ in recent past has become more popular and companies who have listed their shares at NYSE are also interested to list the shares in NASDAQ. The last preferences are OTCBB and Pink Sheets.
Summary: Various stock exchanges have laid down the minimum requirement for listing of the shares at the stocks exchanges. Pink sheet has the minimum requirement for listing of shares. However in this age of Internet the share information can be gathered at the website of pink sheets.
Share markets:
The major stock exchanges include the NYSE, NASDAQ, OTCBB and pink sheets. Penny stocks are generally traded at OTCBB and pink sheets, however as per the guidelines of SEC penny stocks can be traded in all the exchanges.
There are various minimum requirements for listing of shares by the companies at NYSE and NASDAQ. There is only one requirement for trading of penny stocks at OTCBB and that is the company should remain current in SEC filing. There is no place for a penny stock quotation if the stock does not meet the minimum standards set by different stock exchanges or OTCBB. Sometimes the penny stocks already being quoted at OTCBB, do not meet the SEC requirement will be allowed a certain period for completing the formalities and if the companies do not fulfill the required condition even after a 30 or 60 period of grace time, the penny stocks will be removed from their listing.
Pink sheets play a major role in over the counter trading. National Quotation Bureau or NQB provides this service. In actual the NQB prints the details of share prices and other information on pink sheets, as it is difficult to obtain the prices of these shares otherwise. Most of the time brokers get the price and other information on penny stocks from market makers and provide it to the customers. In today’s Internet era, you can find the details of penny stocks just a click away at the website of pink sheet. A company has to meet the minimum requirement of pink sheet for listing and quoting of the share at pink sheets.
Companies prefer to list the shares at NYSE, as it is highly preferred stock exchange. The next preference is given to NASDAQ and then comes the NASDAQSC. NASDAQ in recent past has become more popular and companies who have listed their shares at NYSE are also interested to list the shares in NASDAQ. The last preferences are OTCBB and Pink Sheets.
Summary: Various stock exchanges have laid down the minimum requirement for listing of the shares at the stocks exchanges. Pink sheet has the minimum requirement for listing of shares. However in this age of Internet the share information can be gathered at the website of pink sheets.
Rules on penny stocks
Introduction to Penny Stock: The common understanding about penny stock in financial market of US is a kind of stock trading outside major stock exchanges. The major stock exchanges in US are NYSE and NASDAQ where the major stock trading takes place. For a beginner, the investment in penny stock may be a good option but at the same time he or she should understand all the related terms and the rules associated with penny stocks.
SEC Definition on Penny Stocks: Although the definition provided by the Securities and Exchange Commission is open with respect to the trading of penny stocks, these are generally not traded in NYSE or NASDAQ. There is a rare chance that these will be traded at any foreign exchange, however the Securities and Exchange Commission has put the higher ceiling of $5.0 for these speculative stocks.
US Securities and Exchange Commission: The mission and aim of the US Securities and Exchange Commission is to protect the investors from fraud, scam or other type of misappropriation. The commission is also ensure that the markets are efficient and fair. The commission also facilitates capital formation. The commission encourages more and more investors to get benefit from the share markets. It is one of the pillars for improving the economy of United States that will result more healthy opportunities for employment and better health and living standards for common people of United States.
The role of the commission is not limited to ensure proper protection of investors but it is also responsible for framing various rules and guidelines for smooth functioning of stock exchanges. It also lay guidelines for companies desirous to collect money from the market and strictly monitor the financial and other activities of such companies. It also ensures that the companies are taking care of their investors according to the rules and guidelines.
SEC Rules on Penny Stocks: As per the rules laid down by SEC, a broker or dealer is required to approve the customer desirous to sell the penny stock before the transaction. The broker should also get a written request from such customer.
SEC rules that a customer desirous to purchase a penny stock should be provided a document mentioning the risk involved in the penny stock. The broker or dealer should also inform the customer the current market rate of the penny stock and the commission that will be charged by the broker.
SEC further rules that a monthly statement of the account showing the current market rates of each penny stock held by the customer in his or her account should be send to the customer.
Summary: Penny stocks are governed by certain rules and regulation as lay down by SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission of US). The brokers and dealers should mandatory follow the instructions otherwise they are liable for punishment. The SEC rules provide protection of investors from fraud or misappropriation and dealers should also inform the investor about the current market rate and dealers commission before selling the stock.
SEC Definition on Penny Stocks: Although the definition provided by the Securities and Exchange Commission is open with respect to the trading of penny stocks, these are generally not traded in NYSE or NASDAQ. There is a rare chance that these will be traded at any foreign exchange, however the Securities and Exchange Commission has put the higher ceiling of $5.0 for these speculative stocks.
US Securities and Exchange Commission: The mission and aim of the US Securities and Exchange Commission is to protect the investors from fraud, scam or other type of misappropriation. The commission is also ensure that the markets are efficient and fair. The commission also facilitates capital formation. The commission encourages more and more investors to get benefit from the share markets. It is one of the pillars for improving the economy of United States that will result more healthy opportunities for employment and better health and living standards for common people of United States.
The role of the commission is not limited to ensure proper protection of investors but it is also responsible for framing various rules and guidelines for smooth functioning of stock exchanges. It also lay guidelines for companies desirous to collect money from the market and strictly monitor the financial and other activities of such companies. It also ensures that the companies are taking care of their investors according to the rules and guidelines.
SEC Rules on Penny Stocks: As per the rules laid down by SEC, a broker or dealer is required to approve the customer desirous to sell the penny stock before the transaction. The broker should also get a written request from such customer.
SEC rules that a customer desirous to purchase a penny stock should be provided a document mentioning the risk involved in the penny stock. The broker or dealer should also inform the customer the current market rate of the penny stock and the commission that will be charged by the broker.
SEC further rules that a monthly statement of the account showing the current market rates of each penny stock held by the customer in his or her account should be send to the customer.
Summary: Penny stocks are governed by certain rules and regulation as lay down by SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission of US). The brokers and dealers should mandatory follow the instructions otherwise they are liable for punishment. The SEC rules provide protection of investors from fraud or misappropriation and dealers should also inform the investor about the current market rate and dealers commission before selling the stock.
Risks in penny stock investments
Penny stocks: There is always a risk factor associated with every stock, however being traded at few counters, the penny stocks are little more risky. The risk factor increases if you avoid some precautions that are necessary.
Risks: The investment in penny stocks is highly risky due to various factors. Some of the common risks are as given below.
- There is no reliable and authentic information available for penny stocks. Whatever the information comes to us that comes either through stockbrokers or through the agents of companies offering penny stocks. The seller or broker who sells the penny stocks might get money from the company for selling the shares and therefore can mislead the investor. It is therefore necessary for the investor to carry out the detailed research before investing in penny stocks.
- It is sometimes difficult to find the buyer of specific penny stocks you have purchased from the broker even the same broker may not be interested to repurchase the stocks from you.
-Sometimes the companies having no financial asset or no financial history comes in the market and collect money from investors and therefore before investing in penny stocks, you should study the company offering the penny stocks. You should study the prospectus of the company very carefully and should see whether the share prices of the stocks are justified. Some of the dealers sometime inflate the stock prices fraudulently.
- You should know your broker, as he is the main person to whom you are dealing. Ask about him from some of the other dealers and customers. You should seek complete market information from your broker including the difference in bid and sale prices of the stocks. Ask him to provide his suggestions in writing and seek a second opinion about the recommendations he made.
- You should know the nature of the stock on offer. Many times the initial public offers are more risky than other. You should invest your money after satisfying yourself from the various factors including the financial conditions and assets of the company. Sometimes you may lose a majority of your investment or your entire investment in a specific penny stocks if a careful and wise decision is not made.
- Before making an investment in a specific penny stock, you may ask about your broker’s history including any disciplinary action taken against him or her from NASD. You can also seek additional information about your broker from your state office of SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission). If still you think that you have become a victim of fraud, our federal law has provisions of rights and remedies available to you. You can file a complaint at the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Summary: Although investment in every stock is risky, even then taking some precautionary steps you can avoid risk in penny stock up to a great extent. One of the major precautionary steps is avoid hurry and do thorough research before investing in penny stocks.
Risks: The investment in penny stocks is highly risky due to various factors. Some of the common risks are as given below.
- There is no reliable and authentic information available for penny stocks. Whatever the information comes to us that comes either through stockbrokers or through the agents of companies offering penny stocks. The seller or broker who sells the penny stocks might get money from the company for selling the shares and therefore can mislead the investor. It is therefore necessary for the investor to carry out the detailed research before investing in penny stocks.
- It is sometimes difficult to find the buyer of specific penny stocks you have purchased from the broker even the same broker may not be interested to repurchase the stocks from you.
-Sometimes the companies having no financial asset or no financial history comes in the market and collect money from investors and therefore before investing in penny stocks, you should study the company offering the penny stocks. You should study the prospectus of the company very carefully and should see whether the share prices of the stocks are justified. Some of the dealers sometime inflate the stock prices fraudulently.
- You should know your broker, as he is the main person to whom you are dealing. Ask about him from some of the other dealers and customers. You should seek complete market information from your broker including the difference in bid and sale prices of the stocks. Ask him to provide his suggestions in writing and seek a second opinion about the recommendations he made.
- You should know the nature of the stock on offer. Many times the initial public offers are more risky than other. You should invest your money after satisfying yourself from the various factors including the financial conditions and assets of the company. Sometimes you may lose a majority of your investment or your entire investment in a specific penny stocks if a careful and wise decision is not made.
- Before making an investment in a specific penny stock, you may ask about your broker’s history including any disciplinary action taken against him or her from NASD. You can also seek additional information about your broker from your state office of SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission). If still you think that you have become a victim of fraud, our federal law has provisions of rights and remedies available to you. You can file a complaint at the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Summary: Although investment in every stock is risky, even then taking some precautionary steps you can avoid risk in penny stock up to a great extent. One of the major precautionary steps is avoid hurry and do thorough research before investing in penny stocks.
Penny Stocks: What Are Penny Stocks?
If you’d like to get started in the stock market, many brokers may suggest you start with penny stocks. For several reasons, penny stocks are considered “easier” to buy than many other types of stock. But in order to buy penny stocks, you need to know what they are.
So, what are they? Very simply, penny stocks are low-priced shares of companies. These stocks trade very infrequently, which is why they’re considered good for beginners, but this makes it very hard to ever sell your penny stocks. In some cases, you may end up just getting “stuck” with the penny stock you buy because it proves impossible to trade. This is why some people say buying penny stocks are a risk.
They are a rather controversial type of stock, but on a small enough scale that controversy is rarely heated. When you invest in penny stocks, it’s important to prepare yourself for the fact that you may lose your total investment because you never get the opportunity to trade away your penny stocks. Maybe penny stocks trade over-the-counter, when they do trade at all.
Another thing that sets penny stocks apart is that they don’t trade in the mainstream stock markets (NYSE, NASDAQ, or AMEX). They also usually have market caps at $500 million. But when things go well with penny stocks, investors can buy them cheaply and profit from them quickly. The trick to doing this is in knowing a lot about penny stocks, and knowing how to work with them. This may be a trait that comes from trading experience.
Before you decide to put your money into penny stocks, know that they are considered to be “high-risk investments.” This means there is a lot of potential to lose your money with penny stocks, too. If you’re a bit of a gambler at heart, you may enjoy working with penny stocks. This is one reason why some are drawn to penny stocks – the excitement of it and the potential risk. There is a chance to make a huge profit, as well, so many are willing to take the chance on penny stocks in hopes of a large return.
Once you know what they are, you can look into learning more about specific penny stocks that are available for purchase. It’s a good idea to do research on any stock, and on any kind of stock, before investing your money. After all, the stock market can be very risky and you have the potential of losing. Make sure you don’t lose something that you can’t stand to live without. This way, you’ll be sure not to regret your investment. Whether putting your money into penny stocks or some other type of stock, take the time to do your research first. This will help you make an informed, educated decision. This is the best way to invest your money – by thinking and planning ahead, so you know that you’re going to do something that you’re pleased with.
So, what are they? Very simply, penny stocks are low-priced shares of companies. These stocks trade very infrequently, which is why they’re considered good for beginners, but this makes it very hard to ever sell your penny stocks. In some cases, you may end up just getting “stuck” with the penny stock you buy because it proves impossible to trade. This is why some people say buying penny stocks are a risk.
They are a rather controversial type of stock, but on a small enough scale that controversy is rarely heated. When you invest in penny stocks, it’s important to prepare yourself for the fact that you may lose your total investment because you never get the opportunity to trade away your penny stocks. Maybe penny stocks trade over-the-counter, when they do trade at all.
Another thing that sets penny stocks apart is that they don’t trade in the mainstream stock markets (NYSE, NASDAQ, or AMEX). They also usually have market caps at $500 million. But when things go well with penny stocks, investors can buy them cheaply and profit from them quickly. The trick to doing this is in knowing a lot about penny stocks, and knowing how to work with them. This may be a trait that comes from trading experience.
Before you decide to put your money into penny stocks, know that they are considered to be “high-risk investments.” This means there is a lot of potential to lose your money with penny stocks, too. If you’re a bit of a gambler at heart, you may enjoy working with penny stocks. This is one reason why some are drawn to penny stocks – the excitement of it and the potential risk. There is a chance to make a huge profit, as well, so many are willing to take the chance on penny stocks in hopes of a large return.
Once you know what they are, you can look into learning more about specific penny stocks that are available for purchase. It’s a good idea to do research on any stock, and on any kind of stock, before investing your money. After all, the stock market can be very risky and you have the potential of losing. Make sure you don’t lose something that you can’t stand to live without. This way, you’ll be sure not to regret your investment. Whether putting your money into penny stocks or some other type of stock, take the time to do your research first. This will help you make an informed, educated decision. This is the best way to invest your money – by thinking and planning ahead, so you know that you’re going to do something that you’re pleased with.
Penny Stocks Risks
The first point to remember is that large market cap stocks are likely to be registered on a national stock exchange such as NASDAQ. The reason for this is that when large volumes and amount are involved, which by definition is true for a large market cap stock, it is extremely difficult to get all that trade done outside a stock exchange. Although it is theoretically possible for a large stock to be traded on Pink Sheets and OTCBB, it will be difficult to sustain high volumes on these, because many people, who trade on recognized stock exchanges, may not trade in these stocks, particularly in large volumes.
Registration with a stock exchange involves a number of formalities that have to be complied with. These formalities are aimed at making the whole process more transparent so that the investor has access to relevant information. The availability of information helps you to verify the facts and also to check out on the soundness of the company more thoroughly. When these are missing you are operating under insufficient information and therefore are exposed to higher risk. Thus stock exchange registration by itself reduces the risk involved in investment.
Apart from this, there are other reasons why a penny stock is more risky than large market cap stocks.
Stocks registered with a recognized stock exchange are required to maintain minimum standards. These include requirements such as
Minimum number of publicly traded shares – this should be 1.1 million shares in the case of NASDAQ. The publicly held shares should also be a minimum of 10% of the total shares of the company.
Minimum Shareholder Equity
Minimum Operating income
Availability of market makers
The specified minimum amount should be available in assets, total revenue and listed securities.
There are many such requirements that a company has to meet in order to stay registered with the stock exchange. Basically, these requirements ensure that the stocks are widely held, and the company is running properly. These safeguards make the listed stocks less risky than unlisted ones, which do not have to follow any such requirements.
Penny stocks also generally do not have a history behind them, and suffer from low liquidity position. They have less room to maneuver. Because they are more risky and less preferred they will also have difficulty in raising money for new ventures or expansion. In some cases they may have difficulty in raising money even for operations. Companies generally raise money by borrowing or raising new capital. The amount that can be borrowed is limited for a given equity base. Suppose the company has $100,000 in capital, lenders may be willing to lend $200,000 or some such amount. If the company wants to borrow more money, it will have to first increase its capital base. This is more difficult in the case of penny stocks.
Finally, it might not be equally easy to find buyers in the case of penny stocks particularly if you have a large number of them. This will affect your own liquidity in the short term and also make it difficult to offload these stocks if the going is not too good.
These are some of the reasons why a penny stock is considered more risky. However, penny stocks have their brighter side too. They can give you much higher returns. We’ll see how this is possible in the next article.
Registration with a stock exchange involves a number of formalities that have to be complied with. These formalities are aimed at making the whole process more transparent so that the investor has access to relevant information. The availability of information helps you to verify the facts and also to check out on the soundness of the company more thoroughly. When these are missing you are operating under insufficient information and therefore are exposed to higher risk. Thus stock exchange registration by itself reduces the risk involved in investment.
Apart from this, there are other reasons why a penny stock is more risky than large market cap stocks.
Stocks registered with a recognized stock exchange are required to maintain minimum standards. These include requirements such as
Minimum number of publicly traded shares – this should be 1.1 million shares in the case of NASDAQ. The publicly held shares should also be a minimum of 10% of the total shares of the company.
Minimum Shareholder Equity
Minimum Operating income
Availability of market makers
The specified minimum amount should be available in assets, total revenue and listed securities.
There are many such requirements that a company has to meet in order to stay registered with the stock exchange. Basically, these requirements ensure that the stocks are widely held, and the company is running properly. These safeguards make the listed stocks less risky than unlisted ones, which do not have to follow any such requirements.
Penny stocks also generally do not have a history behind them, and suffer from low liquidity position. They have less room to maneuver. Because they are more risky and less preferred they will also have difficulty in raising money for new ventures or expansion. In some cases they may have difficulty in raising money even for operations. Companies generally raise money by borrowing or raising new capital. The amount that can be borrowed is limited for a given equity base. Suppose the company has $100,000 in capital, lenders may be willing to lend $200,000 or some such amount. If the company wants to borrow more money, it will have to first increase its capital base. This is more difficult in the case of penny stocks.
Finally, it might not be equally easy to find buyers in the case of penny stocks particularly if you have a large number of them. This will affect your own liquidity in the short term and also make it difficult to offload these stocks if the going is not too good.
These are some of the reasons why a penny stock is considered more risky. However, penny stocks have their brighter side too. They can give you much higher returns. We’ll see how this is possible in the next article.
Penny stocks market
Penny Stocks: There is full-fledged market for the penny stocks, however these stocks have very limited liquidity. One of the reasons for the penny stock market’s volatility is its limited liquidity, however the penny stock markets are very popular.
Penny stocks, sometimes also termed as micro cap are low priced stocks generally traded in over the counter market. Most of the stocks are available in a penny that’s why these are known as penny stocks.
The penny stocks are generally offered by a company having less than 3 years in business and have less than $5 million net tangible assets or a company has at least 3 years in business and has under $2 million net tangible assts or a company has $6 million revenue for 3 years.
Over The Counter Bulletin Board: OTCBB (Over the counter bulletin board) provides complete information for more than 3000 stocks including real time quotes display, last sale price and volumes. These equities are generally not traded in any national stock exchanges. The OTCBB electronically provide real time quote for domestic as well as foreign stocks and ADRs and also displays previous days trading activity in DPPs. More than 200 market makers are registered at the OTCBB. Over the counter bulletin boards are preferred over pink sheets.
Pink Sheets: Pink sheets is published and maintained by Pink Sheets LLC and it displays bid and asked quotation prices of different penny stocks. Companies listed in pink sheets are most risky as most of the companies easily meet the minimum requirement for listing.
Penny stocks at pink sheets are thinly traded. Many companies pay traders for selling these penny stocks and thus brokers uses all fraudulent activities to sell the shares and evade money from people.
Market Makers: In some of the cases, only a few market makers are actively involved in a specific penny stocks and buy and sell these specific securities only. Dealing with a market maker is preferable, as the market maker not only sells the specific stocks but it also buys the stocks. Around 230 market makers are approved by the OTCBB and these market makers buy and sell stocks on regular basis. It is also preferable to see that more number of market makers is available for specific stocks. Lower number of market makers can influence or manipulate the specific stocks. In such a case the investment in the specific penny stock is risky as these few market makers can control the prices of the stocks and thus can keep a wide gap between the sale and buying prices of the stock. In recent past some of the market makers were found to involve in the fraudulent activities.
Summary: There is a full-fledged market of penny stocks and penny stocks are traded at over the counter bulletin boards (OTCBB) and pink sheets. OTCBB is governed by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission of United States.
Penny stocks, sometimes also termed as micro cap are low priced stocks generally traded in over the counter market. Most of the stocks are available in a penny that’s why these are known as penny stocks.
The penny stocks are generally offered by a company having less than 3 years in business and have less than $5 million net tangible assets or a company has at least 3 years in business and has under $2 million net tangible assts or a company has $6 million revenue for 3 years.
Over The Counter Bulletin Board: OTCBB (Over the counter bulletin board) provides complete information for more than 3000 stocks including real time quotes display, last sale price and volumes. These equities are generally not traded in any national stock exchanges. The OTCBB electronically provide real time quote for domestic as well as foreign stocks and ADRs and also displays previous days trading activity in DPPs. More than 200 market makers are registered at the OTCBB. Over the counter bulletin boards are preferred over pink sheets.
Pink Sheets: Pink sheets is published and maintained by Pink Sheets LLC and it displays bid and asked quotation prices of different penny stocks. Companies listed in pink sheets are most risky as most of the companies easily meet the minimum requirement for listing.
Penny stocks at pink sheets are thinly traded. Many companies pay traders for selling these penny stocks and thus brokers uses all fraudulent activities to sell the shares and evade money from people.
Market Makers: In some of the cases, only a few market makers are actively involved in a specific penny stocks and buy and sell these specific securities only. Dealing with a market maker is preferable, as the market maker not only sells the specific stocks but it also buys the stocks. Around 230 market makers are approved by the OTCBB and these market makers buy and sell stocks on regular basis. It is also preferable to see that more number of market makers is available for specific stocks. Lower number of market makers can influence or manipulate the specific stocks. In such a case the investment in the specific penny stock is risky as these few market makers can control the prices of the stocks and thus can keep a wide gap between the sale and buying prices of the stock. In recent past some of the market makers were found to involve in the fraudulent activities.
Summary: There is a full-fledged market of penny stocks and penny stocks are traded at over the counter bulletin boards (OTCBB) and pink sheets. OTCBB is governed by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission of United States.
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