Top 10 Most Successful Penny Stocks in History

Everyone wants to know about the most successful penny stocks in history … They want to believe in the dream of getting filthy rich on cheap stocks.

They also want to buy big houses and expensive vehicles without doing all the hard work.

Keep dreaming. I’ve been trading penny stocks for over 20 years now. I’ve seen a thing or two in the stock market …

What I rarely see is a penny stock becoming a real, legit company.

That doesn’t mean it can’t happen. Sometimes, you’ll find a diamond in the rough.

I’ve seen a few successful penny stocks in my trading career. Companies have to start somewhere. Some of today’s biggest companies were actually penny stocks back in the day. You’ll see a few familiar tickers on this list of the most successful penny stocks in history.

But they’re exceptions. 99% of penny stocks will NEVER see this level of success. In fact, most fail. That’s why I teach my students to trade penny stocks … not invest in them.

To be absolutely clear: I don’t invest in penny stocks or recommend investing in penny stocks.

Yes, these results are impressive, but people back then couldn’t have predicted them. For every ‘most successful penny stock,’ MANY will fail.

And, as you’ll see, some of these stocks took years — decades — to become successful. I don’t want to wait that long! I like to look for volatility and stocks that follow patterns. That’s what has created opportunities for me and my top students.

Still, it’s worth learning from any and every stock. Ready to learn? Let’s review what many consider the most successful penny stocks in history…

What Are Penny Stocks?

Penny stocks are low-priced shares, typically trading for less than $5, in smaller companies not listed on major markets. These stocks require keen attention to data and charts, as they offer high-risk and high-reward opportunities. While they can yield millions in returns, they demand a sharp mind to navigate their volatile nature.

Trading penny stocks involves a lot of research to make informed decisions and understand the rights associated with these types of shares. Most often, these aren’t the stocks that get featured on CNN — you have to turn over a few rocks to find out what’s really going on with these stocks.

One big advantage of penny stocks — you don’t need a big account to start trading. I’ve seen traders start with just a few hundred bucks and still make it work. The key is to be smart about your trades and keep your risk tight. You don’t need a fortune to start; you need a strategy. If you’re wondering how to trade penny stocks with a small account, I’ve got you covered. Learn how to trade penny stocks with a small account here.

Which Companies Are Eligible for Penny Stock Classification?

Penny stocks refer to small-cap and micro-cap companies with a market value under $300 million. They’re not listed on major exchanges and often lack a long track record. They’re the Pier 1 Imports (NYSE: PIR — defunct), not the Ikeas, of the stock world.

In my years of trading and teaching, I’ve seen all kinds of companies in the penny stock arena. From nutrition companies to tech startups, the range of interests is vast. But remember, just because a company is eligible for penny stock classification doesn’t mean it’s a good investment. Always do your due diligence, check multiple sources of information, and understand the commission and fees involved.

List of Top 10 Most Successful Penny Stocks

The 10 most successful penny stocks include:

• True Religion Jeans (used to trade under NASDAQ: TRLG) — The Defunct Penny Stock
• Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) — The Tech Giant Former Penny Stock
• Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) — The Fortune 500 Former Penny Stock
• Turtle Beach Corporation (NASDAQ: HEAR) — Back in Penny Stock Land
• Monster Beverage Corporation (NASDAQ: MNST) — The Surprising Mega Penny Stock
• Mylan N.V. (used to trade under NASDAQ: MYL) — The Delisted Penny Stock
• Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ: PLUG) — The Clean Energy Former Penny Stock
• Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD) — The Microchip Maker with Big Penny Stock Potential
• Medifast Inc. (NYSE: MED) — The Telemarketers’ Revenge Former Penny Stock
• Novavax Inc. (NASDAQ: NVAX) — The Pandemic Play Former Penny Stock

What makes a ‘successful’ penny stock?

You might think it’s a company that started as a penny stock and became a ‘real’ company. There’s more to it than that.

A penny stock is any stock that trades under $5 per share. Plenty of billion-dollar companies — companies with big names — once traded at or under $5 per share.

We haven’t seen many penny stock companies becoming large-cap companies lately, but it does happen.

In fact, some of the biggest names on the Nasdaq started as penny stocks! Nasdaq isn’t just for the big players; it’s also a playground for penny stocks. These stocks often come with a bit more legitimacy and are subject to stricter regulations than OTC stocks. If you’re looking to diversify your penny stock portfolio, Nasdaq is a good place to look. Learn more about why you should consider trading NASDAQ penny stocks here.

But remember … Successful companies take years to build — especially if they start small. These companies might be success stories now, but they didn’t make anyone rich fast.

That said, let’s look at some of the craziest penny stock success stories over the years…

True Religion Jeans (used to trade under NASDAQ: TRLG) — The Defunct Penny Stock

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The first successful penny stock on this list is True Religion Jeans (used to trade under NASDAQ: TRLG).

True Religion Jeans used to be one of the great penny stock stories.

It traded under a dollar per share in the early to mid-2000s. But in 2013, the company was acquired by Towerbrook Capital Partners for $32 per share. Long-term investors made a killing as shares appreciated by 5,000%.

TRLG’s story ended the way it ends for most penny stocks. True Religion filed for bankruptcy in 2017 and again in 2020. Even the most successful penny stocks are affected by the boom-and-bust cycle of penny stock land.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) — The Tech Giant Former Penny Stock

The second successful penny stock on this list is Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL).

Apple wasn’t always one of the largest tech companies in the world. In fact, hardly anyone knew about the company and its products for years.

Back in the early 2000s, AAPL traded for under 80 cents per share — a legit penny stock.

Of course, that’s ignoring the many stock splits this stock has had since… But in 2003, it got down to a retail price of $6.56.

As of this writing, AAPL shares trade for over $370.

This stock returned over 46,750% — it’s now one of the largest companies in the world.

But there was no way of knowing 20 years ago it would become such a success story. And for every company like Apple, there are hundreds of tech penny stocks that fail.

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Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) — The Fortune 500 Former Penny Stock

The third successful penny stock on this list is Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F).

Ford is a $50 billion company. But it was last a penny stock in 2020.

While it still hovers near penny stock territory price-wise, it’s also one of the most well-known automobile manufacturers in the world.

Why include it in this list? I wanted to give an example of share prices not indicating a company’s performance.

You could consider it a penny stock success story in that it doesn’t seem bound to crash and burn like so many others. Then again, it’s never been a massive mover. It’s not that interesting to me.

I prefer huge spikes like Bravada International Ltd. (OTCPK: BRAV) had in 2020. I traded this first green day OTC play — up on news — for a $612 profit (starting stake $3,937).

Turtle Beach Corporation (NASDAQ: HEAR) — Back in Penny Stock Land

The fourth successful penny stock on this list is Turtle Beach Corporation (NASDAQ: HEAR).

This chart is the exact reason I teach my students to aim for singles and NOT be overly aggressive.

Short selling can be a good strategy with penny stocks for some traders … Many of these scammy low-priced stocks fail. But, like with HEAR, sometimes they don’t.

For short sellers, these trades can lead to account devastation.

Traders from 2018 might remember this ticker… Over-aggressive shorts and legitimate news spiked HEAR from under $2 to over $30 per share in a few months.

It happened all over again in 2021.

Study this chart in order to see exactly what’s possible with penny stocks. Some trades aren’t worth taking.

Don’t go for home runs — especially if you short. The wrong trade could end your trading career forever.

I mostly avoid shorting these days because of crazy short squeezes like HEAR had. Respect the short squeeze!

Monster Beverage Corporation (NASDAQ: MNST) — The Surprising Mega Penny Stock

The fifth successful penny stock on this list is Monster Beverage Corporation (NASDAQ: MNST).

Yep: way back, before it was a standard offering in grocery and convenience stores, Monster Energy Drinks was a crappy penny stock company.

In the early 2000s, it traded for under 6 cents per share…

As of this writing, it trades for over $100 per share. Over the years, this ticker has returned over 166,000%.

A $1,000 investment at its lows would be worth over $1.6 million today. That’s a good contender for the most successful penny stock.

Don’t get FOMO. It took many years for that to grow and easily could have flopped.

Mylan N.V. (used to trade under NASDAQ: MYL) — The Delisted Penny Stock

The sixth successful penny stock on this list is Mylan N.V. (NASDAQ: MYL).

MYL is a pharmaceutical company with a net worth over $8 billion at its height. Its lows were just under $6 per share.

It ran all the way from $6 to over $70 per share before it imploded.

I’m including it as a cautionary tale. Hold and hope is not a winning strategy in penny stock land.

Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ: PLUG) — The Clean Energy Former Penny Stock

The seventh successful penny stock on this list is Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ: PLUG).

PLUG is a great example of the potential of penny stocks — especially in this crazy volatile market.

You’ve gotta be prepared for this volatility. Get my no-cost resource, “The Volatility Survival Guide,” and study up!

PLUG is an example of history repeating. In 2014, it made an initial run from 11 cents to almost $12 per share. In 2020 and 2021, it went from $3 to over $65 per share. It’s now worth more than $7 billion, putting it in mid-cap stock range.

Much of the action is thanks to aggressive short sellers. Don’t short a stock like this every time it goes higher. Because sometimes, it doesn’t stop.

And maybe you missed out on PLUG, but you can learn from it…

You can also learn the basics of my approach to penny stocks with my student Jamil’s book, “The Complete Penny Stock Course.” It covers so many questions I get about this niche.

Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD) — The Microchip Maker with Big Penny Stock Potential

The eighth successful penny stock on this list is Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD).

If you like computers, you’ve probably heard of AMD. It’s one of the largest chip manufacturers in the world right now.

Back in 2015, AMD was trading for under $2 per share. Now, it’s almost $100 per share, making it one of the most successful penny stocks in history.

AMD now has a $155 billion market cap — making it a large-cap stock. Penny stocks can become real, legit companies. But you’ve gotta be lucky … and wait 20 years.

I don’t like to try to guess which companies will make it. My plans work better for the 99% that don’t make it… Get my free guide here.

Medifast Inc. (NYSE: MED) — The Telemarketers’ Revenge Former Penny Stock

The ninth successful penny stock on this list is Medifast Inc. (NYSE: MED).

MED is also a contender for the ‘most successful penny stock’ list. After trading at under $2.30 per share in 2005, the company hit an all-time high of $332 per share in 2021.

Its 14,300% move is impressive. But it took 16 years.

In under half that time, my former student Jack Kellogg has made over $12.6 million in career earnings.

Novavax Inc. (NASDAQ: NVAX) — The Pandemic Play Former Penny Stock

The tenth successful penny stock on this list is Novavax Inc. (NASDAQ: NVAX).

I saved one of the most successful penny stocks for last. NVAX had a huge run this year.

This pharma play ripped from $3.50 at its low to nearly $300 per share at its highs — all in under a year, thanks to the crazy volatility of the coronavirus market.

The problem? Newbie traders see this and expect all penny stocks and biotechs to do the same thing.

In 2024, NVAX is trading under $5. That’s back in penny stock land.

Don’t believe the hype!

Recent Penny Stock Success Stories

My recent penny stock success story picks are:

• • GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME) — The All-Time Meme Penny Stock
  • Amesite Inc (NASDAQ: AMST) — The AI Product Launch Penny Stock
  • Canopy Growth Corp (NASDAQ: CGC) — The Legal Weed Stock With the Huge Catalyst

For every 500 penny stocks on the stock market, maybe one or two are capable of this type of breakthrough. More often than not, these companies raise money for their greedy executives through toxic financings.

These stocks often become the subject of speculation and hype, fueled by social media and online forums.

They’re like Pinocchio — except their nose only grows and grows, and they never become real boys.

Now, let’s change gears and discuss some of the most successful penny stocks currently.

GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME) — The All-Time Meme Penny Stock

The biggest recent penny stock success story is GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME).

Back in 2020, GameStop was a penny stock…

In 2021, it went supernova on one of the greatest short squeezes of all time. It hit an all-time high of $483 before falling.

LOL HILARIOUSSSSSS $GME #wallstreetbets #gamestonk #RedditTrading #GameStop https://t.co/Ur610ME8a2

— Timothy Sykes (@timothysykes) January 29, 2021

If you look at its two-year chart, you can see the long-term downtrend it’s been on. I wouldn’t trade GameStop unless there was some big news. But you can learn from a stock like this.

Study this so you can see the patterns in its chart. It could help you spot similar action in another company with similar growth.

How to Find Penny Stocks Before They Explode

You probably won’t find the next Amazon or Apple by sifting through the penny stock market … But you can find securities that can move 100% or more in a single day.

These are the plays that my students and I like to trade.

Over my 20-plus year trading career, I’m up over $7.6 million in trading profits. I didn’t do it by getting lucky with the ‘most successful penny stocks.’

I did it by being prepared and reacting rather than predicting. Many of these stocks are driven by speculation rather than fundamentals, making it essential to do your homework.

It’s also worth noting that these stocks can be subject to regulatory scrutiny and enforcement actions, so tread carefully.

My strategy is to find plays before they make their full move.

My go-to weapon for finding plays? StocksToTrade.This software is essential for trading penny stocks. There are two key tools on StocksToTrade you need to use — check the guides on my site:

• Breaking News Chat alerts service
• StocksToTrade’s best-in-class stock screener

These are my secret weapons in finding hot plays every day. The Breaking News chat room alerts me to important news articles in penny stocks and the overall economy, giving me a crucial trading edge.

In fact, roughly half of my recent trades have been direct effects of Breaking News.

Get a 14-day trial of Breaking News Chat here — only $17!

A good stock screener has many tools, which help traders scan for stocks and do research… That’s important for building the watchlists that let you keep an eye on high-potential penny stocks.

Check out this video where I walk you through how to make a watchlist:

I also have some tips for spotting potential breakout penny stock companies. Try to find companies that exhibit these characteristics:

Is a Low-Float Stock

Low-float stocks have less than 10 million shares publicly available that traders can buy. This limited supply can have an effect on big price swings, especially when these stocks have a volume of or exceeding their float.

Shows an Unusual Daily Trading Volume

Stocks with high daily trading volumes tend to be more liquid, which lets you enter and exit positions more easily. This is especially important with volatile stocks like penny stocks.

Is a Former Runner

Stock performance changes over time, but you’ll find clues in the chart. Penny stocks that have run in the past are more likely to run in the future.

Has a Frequent Media Presence

News and press releases often lead to major stock price swings. Find penny stock companies with a strong media presence — news articles are often signs to buy or sell shares.

2 Hot Penny Stocks to Watch in 2024

Here are two penny stocks I’m watching in 2024.

These stocks are often associated with emerging industries, like AI, making them hot targets for traders.

Note: I am only watching these stocks, NOT buying and holding them. I keep these and other explosive penny stocks on my watchlists, like Hub Cyber Security Ltd (NASDAQ: HUBC) in the cybersecurity sector and WiSA Technologies Inc (NASDAQ: WISA) in the tech sector.

There’s no predicting when one of these stocks will go supernova. That’s why I teach my students never to predict — only react.

Amesite Inc (NASDAQ: AMST) — The AI Product Launch Penny Stock

My first hot penny stock to watch in 2024 is Amesite Inc (NASDAQ: AMST).

This stock has its feet in two hot sectors:

1. The biotech industry.
2. The AI industry.

These are probably the two hottest sectors in the stock market right now. We’ve seen individual AI and biotech spikes since early 2023.

AMST pulls momentum from both of these sectors, that’s one of the main reasons I’m excited about this stock.

Here’s the news that sent it higher:

On April 24 the company announced it successfully launched an AI app that will reportedly empower 5.2 million nurses. Share prices spiked 110% that day,

I grabbed 15% of the move with a starting stake of $14,742. My trade notes are below:

The reason I was able to trade this stock so early is because Breaking News alerted me to the move.

Now, this stock is still in play … But make sure you’re watching Breaking News for the next stock to start spiking.

AMST’s price action shows sideways consolidation right now … The consolidation is a hint that the price could spike higher!

On the chart below I drew a line that shows the $3 support level on AMST, every candle represents 10 minutes:

Plus, StocksToTrade shows that the float is only 1.7 million shares.

Stocks with a float below 10 million shares are considered to have a low supply. And the low supply of shares will help prices spike higher when demand increases.

AMST is still deciding whether it wants to break out …

But all of the factors point toward an explosive push upward.

Canopy Growth Corp (NASDAQ: CGC) — The Legal Weed Stock With the Huge Catalyst

My second hot penny stock to watch in 2024 is Canopy Growth Corp (NASDAQ: CGC).

The weed sector comes and goes. It’s never been the strongest batch of runners, but we have to respect CGC’s price action. The stock already spiked 231% between March and April.

This price action isn’t random.

There’s been a lot of talk about marijuana legalization recently. Both in the U.S. and worldwide:

• POTUS Biden and VPOTUS Harris both recently expressed an interest in reforming the U.S. approach toward marijuana.
• Germany decriminalized marijuana.

But CGC is also running thanks to a catalyst that was announced on March 14.

• There was news of a potential acquisition. The vote deadline for the acquisition was April 10. On April 15 we learned of a successful shareholder vote to endorse the acquisition.

I snagged a profit on March 22 thanks to the potential acquisition news. The price started running before we even learned of a successful vote.

Take a look at my trade notes below, with a starting stake of $21,420:

And now that the acquisition is successful, there’s a chance the price pushes even higher.

Below, a multi-month chart of the run shows support at $6. Every candle represents one trading day:

This stock is in play as long as it stays above $6!

How Often Do Penny Stocks Succeed?

Penny stocks rarely succeed. The 13 assets discussed in this post — some of which increased by more than 100,000% — are rare.

Here’s a BIG disclaimer: you shouldn’t expect these results from any penny stock.

Benefits of Investing in Penny Stocks

The allure of penny stocks lies in their potential for massive returns. You can double or triple your investments in a short period. But, and it’s a big but, you need to know what you’re doing. I’ve been teaching this content for years, and the first page of my playbook is always about risk management.

The benefits extend beyond just the financial gains. Trading penny stocks can be an excellent way to diversify your portfolio. It allows you to take calculated risks without putting all your funds in one basket. But remember, high returns come with high risks. Always be prepared for the downside.

What Are the Potential Risks Associated with Penny Stocks?

While the upside of penny stocks can be alluring, the risks are equally daunting. These stocks are volatile, subject to market manipulation, and often lack transparency. In some cases, you’re flying blind, relying on scant information to make investment decisions.

I’ve been in this game long enough to know that not every trade will be a winner. That’s why I always emphasize the importance of risk management to my students. You need to set stop-loss orders, diversify your investments, and never invest more than you can afford to lose.

The Bottom Line on the Most Successful Penny Stocks

Penny stocks have insane potential — but few will make it into the ‘most successful penny stock’ hall of fame.

Most penny stocks won’t perform well long-term because of greedy CEOs and sketchy business plans. Then there are promoters and “financial advisors” who pump penny stocks to help get a quick move … then cash out while subscribers are stuck holding a losing stock.

That’s why I teach my students to trade penny stocks — not invest in them.

And I never recommend following alerts. The alerts I send to my students are to teach the process and show what a trading opportunity looks like. My goal is to teach traders to be self-sufficient.

Don’t play guessing games in the market. Instead, learn to day trade and focus on small gains. If you’re dedicated to learning and building experience, consider applying to my Trading Challenge.

What’s the most successful penny stock you’ve ever seen? Let me know in the comments below!

Most Successful Penny Stocks in History FAQs

How Did Sirius XM Become a Multibagger Stock?

Sirius XM transformed from a promising penny stock to a multibagger through strategic partnerships and adapting to new media trends. This growth was evidenced in their financial statements, showing significant profit growth over a span of time despite the broader financial crisis impacts.

How Did Axsome Therapeutics Inc. Achieve Its Stock Growth?

Axsome Therapeutics Inc., known for its heavy return on investment, achieved its 100x stock growth through robust profit growth and positive financial statements — which came from actually delivering a real product. This growth trajectory made it a standout penny stock pick.

Can Steve Jobs’ Influence Be Seen in Today’s Penny Stocks?

Steve Jobs’ influence is seen in today’s penny stocks through the innovative strategies and bold leadership he epitomized, which are emulated by current major players in the tech industry. His legacy informs current investment trends and is a benchmark for new companies aspiring to achieve similar growth.

What Role Does Media Play in the Perception of Penny Stocks?

The media plays a crucial role in shaping public perception of penny stocks. Coverage can sway investor sentiment significantly, often turning the tide on stocks like Social Security during tumultuous financial climates.

How Do Split-Adjusted Basis and Price Basis Affect Stock Evaluations?

The split-adjusted basis and price basis are crucial for evaluating stocks accurately, especially for stocks that have undergone multiple splits. Understanding these metrics helps investors assess true value changes and make informed decisions based on comparative historical data.