Knowing How Penny Stocks, Pink Sheets and Micro Caps Differ Can Be A Profitable Journey
Its easy to use the term penny stock interchangeably with pink sheet. The same goes for bulletin board and micro cap. Unfortunately, investors are doing themselves a great disservice by mentally lumping all four distinct descriptions into one category. More specifically, investors may be overlooking tremendous opportunities by not acknowledging their differences.
One way to educate yourself about the true definition of these terms is to use word association. Think of an aspect of the term and come up with a commonality with the actual name.
Most of the time, traders dont consider a stock that trades over $1 a penny stock. Then there are others who define any stock less than $5 as one. There arent any ramifications for using either benchmark.
If you want to short or buy a penny stock on margin, make sure you know whom youre doing business with. Some brokerages will not allow shorting of any stock under $5; others dont place a limit. So, choose wisely.
Many low-priced exchange-listed stocks are cheap due to a temporary situation that once cleared up, will send the stock higher. The company size or its exchange do not determine its status as a penny stock"which can be a pink sheet or bulletin board stock (see below).
You may have been told to steer clear of pink sheet stocks because they often hold the most risk. Maintained by Pink OTC Markets Inc., some of them dont deserve their bad reputation.
The size of a company has no bearing on whether a foreign stock is listed in the U.S. market. Many times, they just cant do it for logistical or technical reasons. Therefore, dont use this as a barometer for credibility.
On that note, however, the potential downside of pink sheet stocks appears there are essentially no reporting/disclosure requirements for companies with stocks listed as pink sheet equities. In other words, you may not be able to view any audited accounting statements for these stocks. Many pink sheet companies can and do disclose every single financial statement they produce, however. For that reason, these stocks should be considered on a case-by-case basis.
On the other hand, if a stock trades on the OTC market, or as an OTCBB stock, you can be assured that these companies have met SEC requirements.
This may come as a surprise, but the bulletin board system is not the only over-the-counter game in town. Both pink sheet and NASDAQ markets are OTC markets.
Bulletin board companies dont consider share price when determining if a stock should be listed there, but market cap may be.
Dont just assume that all bulletin board stocks lack the stability of exchange-listed stocks. You might find some hidden gems that are stronger and more productive.
Micro Cap " The standard definition of a micro cap company is any company with a market cap (issued shares multiplied by share price) of $250 million or less, though the number isnt set in stone. Note that share price has nothing to do with the determination; there are plenty of micro cap stocks with share prices well over $5.00.
A micro cap status also has nothing to do with where or how a stock trades. The New York Stock Exchanges minimum market cap requirement is only $25 million, so qualifying for an NYSE listing isnt necessarily a sign of great size or strength.
Bottom Line
As you can see, penny stocks, pink sheets, bulletin boards and micro caps all serve different purposes and play the trading game uniquely. In this instance, semantics do matter. Becoming knowledgeable about specific definitions will go a long way in making profitable investments.
Your most educational website for information regarding penny stocks to top stock picks is www.smallcapnetwork.com. We offer timely and meaningful market commentary and trading ideas. Sign up for the free e-newsletter today. - 23199
One way to educate yourself about the true definition of these terms is to use word association. Think of an aspect of the term and come up with a commonality with the actual name.
Most of the time, traders dont consider a stock that trades over $1 a penny stock. Then there are others who define any stock less than $5 as one. There arent any ramifications for using either benchmark.
If you want to short or buy a penny stock on margin, make sure you know whom youre doing business with. Some brokerages will not allow shorting of any stock under $5; others dont place a limit. So, choose wisely.
Many low-priced exchange-listed stocks are cheap due to a temporary situation that once cleared up, will send the stock higher. The company size or its exchange do not determine its status as a penny stock"which can be a pink sheet or bulletin board stock (see below).
You may have been told to steer clear of pink sheet stocks because they often hold the most risk. Maintained by Pink OTC Markets Inc., some of them dont deserve their bad reputation.
The size of a company has no bearing on whether a foreign stock is listed in the U.S. market. Many times, they just cant do it for logistical or technical reasons. Therefore, dont use this as a barometer for credibility.
On that note, however, the potential downside of pink sheet stocks appears there are essentially no reporting/disclosure requirements for companies with stocks listed as pink sheet equities. In other words, you may not be able to view any audited accounting statements for these stocks. Many pink sheet companies can and do disclose every single financial statement they produce, however. For that reason, these stocks should be considered on a case-by-case basis.
On the other hand, if a stock trades on the OTC market, or as an OTCBB stock, you can be assured that these companies have met SEC requirements.
This may come as a surprise, but the bulletin board system is not the only over-the-counter game in town. Both pink sheet and NASDAQ markets are OTC markets.
Bulletin board companies dont consider share price when determining if a stock should be listed there, but market cap may be.
Dont just assume that all bulletin board stocks lack the stability of exchange-listed stocks. You might find some hidden gems that are stronger and more productive.
Micro Cap " The standard definition of a micro cap company is any company with a market cap (issued shares multiplied by share price) of $250 million or less, though the number isnt set in stone. Note that share price has nothing to do with the determination; there are plenty of micro cap stocks with share prices well over $5.00.
A micro cap status also has nothing to do with where or how a stock trades. The New York Stock Exchanges minimum market cap requirement is only $25 million, so qualifying for an NYSE listing isnt necessarily a sign of great size or strength.
Bottom Line
As you can see, penny stocks, pink sheets, bulletin boards and micro caps all serve different purposes and play the trading game uniquely. In this instance, semantics do matter. Becoming knowledgeable about specific definitions will go a long way in making profitable investments.
Your most educational website for information regarding penny stocks to top stock picks is www.smallcapnetwork.com. We offer timely and meaningful market commentary and trading ideas. Sign up for the free e-newsletter today. - 23199
About the Author:
James Brumley is an expert in the small stock arena covering penny stocks and small cap stocks for over 10 years now. Investors with an appetite for high risk/reward investment ideas should consider getting his free newsletter publication by visiting www.smallcapnetwork.com and subscribing.
posted by X - Men @ 6:48 AM
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