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Penny Stock Basics

How to Find Penny Stocks Pre-Spike

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Written by Timothy Sykes
Updated 11/13/2024 36 min read

Learning how to find penny stocks pre-spike isn’t difficult… as long as you put the work in. I’ve spent decades studying penny stocks and the chart patterns that allow me to spot my penny stock winners.

But what if you’re just getting started? Selecting the right penny stocks to watch can seem daunting, but I’ve put together this article to help you learn how to find the best penny stocks to buy — ideally before they explode.

Let’s dig in…

Table of Contents

What Is a Penny Stock?

A penny stock is a security that trades for less than $5 per share.

Although penny stocks can be found on the major Wall Street exchanges, I trade a lot of over-the-counter (OTC) penny stocks listed on the OTC Markets. There are three tiers of OTC markets: OTCQX, OTCQB, and pink sheets. OTCQX is the most-regulated market, while pink sheets are the least regulated. This means the lower you go, the more sketchy the stocks.

While understanding the nature of penny stocks is crucial, it’s equally important to explore the broader landscape of these investments. There’s a vast world of penny stocks out there, each with its unique characteristics and potential for profit. However, it’s essential to remember that not all penny stocks are created equal. Some may offer higher returns, while others might be more stable. It’s all about finding the right balance for your investment strategy. If you’re interested in diving deeper into this topic, consider reading our comprehensive guide on penny stocks.

A Comprehensive Penny Stock Guide

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Penny stocks are the underdogs of the stock market, often overlooked, yet they have the potential to deliver substantial returns. They’re risky, volatile, and not suitable for all investors, but if you’re willing to stick to a good strategy, penny stocks could be worth exploring.

Just remember to never risk more than you can afford to lose.

How to Pick a Potential Penny Stock Winner Pre-Spike

How do I pick penny stock winners before they spike? I use technical analysis — support and resistance levels and patterns on the chart.

This is the bedrock of trading — but it has much less to do with investing. At its core, investing is about building a diverse portfolio that can withstand market fluctuations. One way to achieve this is by investing in dividend stocks. These stocks can provide a steady income stream, helping to offset potential losses from day trading. To learn more about how to analyze the fundamentals and technicals of dividend stocks, check out our article on investing in dividend stocks.

If you can read stock charts and find reliable patterns, you can sometimes find penny stocks before they spike. Does it work every time? Of course not.

However, the more you learn and study, the better your penny stock picks can become…

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How to Find Penny Stocks

You can find penny stocks on major exchanges like the NYSE and NASDAQ, as well as the Over-the-Counter (OTC) markets. Use a stock screener to filter for low-priced stocks with high volume and check company fundamentals.

To invest, start by researching a company’s history, stability, and past price movements to gauge risk. Look for catalysts, such as product launches or technological advancements, that may signal potential growth and value increases.

Share Price and Valuation

Share price and valuation contribute to a company’s market capitalization (a.k.a., market cap). Penny stocks are typically considered micro-cap, which means they have a low valuation. But that’s not a bad thing.

Big-cap stocks are the major companies with huge valuations and high share prices.

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Beware of Dilution

Dilution occurs when the number of outstanding shares increases. I avoid trading stock in a company that has recently had a number of its options exercised or issued new shares.

What Happens When a Stock is Overbought?

When a stock is overbought, it means that it has been aggressively purchased to the point where its price has likely been inflated and might be due for a correction. Identifying overbought conditions can help you avoid buying into a stock just as it’s about to take a nosedive. Remember, timing is everything in this game.

How to Pick a Potential Penny Stock Winner Pre-Spike

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