7 Best Stocks Under $1 With Huge Potential

Stocks priced under $1 offer the potential for high returns, making them attractive to traders looking for quick gains. These low-priced stocks are highly volatile, which can lead to significant opportunities but also substantial risks. 

Here’s what traders should look for in a penny stock to watch:

• Market Trends: Stocks aligning with emerging trends and hot sectors have higher growth potential.
• Financial Health: Companies with strong financials and sales metrics are better positioned for long-term success or at least won’t fold overnight.
• Innovation in Technology: Hot technology products and services generate news, and news is good.
• Stock Catalysts: News, product launches, earnings reports, and 52-week highs are key.
• Volatility: Stocks with high volatility offer more trading opportunities, especially when their trading volume is decent.
• Market Potential: Evaluate the company’s potential to capture market share.

Upcoming market events, such as product launches or industry advancements, can significantly impact these stocks. Keeping an eye on these catalysts can help you capitalize on their growth potential.

Stocks priced under 50 cents can be even better at running — but they’ll test your discipline even more than $1 stocks! These affordable stocks don’t belong in your portfolio — but they can give you exposure to some of the best opportunities in the market. My watchlist of the best penny stocks under 50 cents has some of the penny stocks I’m watching the closest right now.

Best Stocks Under $1 to Buy in 2025

To find the best stocks to buy under $1 in 2025 requires a top-level stock screener. I use the one in StocksToTrade — it has all the tools and customizations that traders like me look for to create hot penny stock watchlists.

Try StocksToTrade for 14 days and see how it helps your watchlist skills — only $7!

To find watch-worthy penny stocks under $1, I input the following criteria:

• Last Price ≤ $1
• Last Price ≥ $0.25
• Volume ≥ 100,000
• Number of Trades ≥ 100

When I run this screen and sort by today’s biggest gainers, it gives me the following top results:

You can see how the plan with micro-cap stocks is rarely buy-and-hold…

Trading these speculative stocks should be approached with a clear strategy and an understanding of the risks involved. I have NO plans to trade these stocks unless they fit my preferred setups. This is only a watchlist.

The best traders watch more than they trade. That’s what I’m trying to model in this article. Pay attention to the work that goes in, not the picks that come out.

Sign up for my NO-COST weekly watchlist to get my latest picks!

Here’s what I’m watching now:

CISO Global, Inc [NASDAQ: CISO]

Founded with the belief that an acquisition approach is the best way to bring together the most talented cyber practitioners.

TransCode Therapeutics Inc. [NASDAQ: RNAZ]

TransCode Therapeutics Inc is an RNA oncology company. It is created to defeat the cancer through the intelligent design and effective delivery of RNA therapeutics. The company’s lead therapeutic candidate, TX-MC138, is focused on treating metastatic cancer, which has the potential to produce regression without recurrence in a range of cancers, including breast, pancreatic, ovarian and colon cancer, glioblastomas and others.

MicroCloud Hologram Inc. [NASDAQ: HOLO]

MicroCloud Hologram Inc, through its subsidiaries, is mainly engaged in holographic Technology. It includes Holographic solutions, Holographic technology services. The company also provides holographic digital twin technology services for customers and has built a holographic digital twin technology resource library.

Kopin Corporation [NASDAQ: KOPN]

Kopin Corp is a developer, manufacturer and seller of components, subassemblies, head-worn and hand-held systems. It serves for soldier, avionic, armored vehicle and training and simulation military applications and others. The company’s product portfolio includes LCD; ferroelectric liquid crystal on silicon devices (FLCoS); Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLED) and others. Geographically, it derives a majority of revenue from the Americas and also has a presence in Asia-Pacific; Europe and Other Countries.

Sunnova Energy International Inc. [NYSE: NOVA]

Sunnova Energy International Inc is a residential solar and energy storage service provider company. It offers services such as operations and maintenance, monitoring, repairs and replacements, equipment upgrades and onsite power optimization. The products and services offered by the group include Add-on battery storage, Home solar protection plans, New solar battery storage, and various other solar systems.

This segment serves distributors and dealers of industrial parts that are resold to workshops, industrial manufacturing facilities, shipyards, and heavy-duty transport fleet owners. The company also manufactures and distributes automotive spare parts and lubricants under the REV-1, VETTO, NUTEQ, GENTEQ, and SUNBLADE brands. In addition, it offers its products through retail outlets. The company was incorporated in 2022 and is based in Singapore. SAG Holdings Limited is a subsidiary of Soon Aik Global Pte Ltd.

LanzaTech Global Inc. [NASDAQ: LNZA]

LanzaTech Global, Inc. transforms waste carbon into materials, such as sustainable fuels, fabrics, packaging, and other products. The Company is focused on its LanzaTech technology and its CarbonSmart IP licensing services. Its carbon recycling technology converts pollution to various products. The Company’s carbon recycling technology is like retrofitting a brewery onto an emission source like a steel mill or a landfill site, but instead of using sugars and yeast to make beer, pollution is converted by bacteria to fuels and chemicals.

¡CoreConnect Inc. [NASDAQ: ICCT]

iCoreConnect Inc develops and markets secure cloud-based HIPAA compliant software services focused on compliance, workflow/ productivity, and electronic health records systems. Its core services technology can be adopted to other vertical markets that require a high degree of secure data communication, such as the legal, financial and education fields. It markets secure HIPAA compliant cloud-based software as a service (SaaS) offering under the names of iCoreExchange, iCoreCodeGenius, iCoreSecure, iCoreMD, iCoreDental, iCoreMobile, iCoreHuddle, iCoreRx, iCorePDMP, iCoreEPCS, and iCorePay. The company’s software is sold under annual recurring revenue subscriptions.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Invest in Stocks Under $1

Selecting and purchasing penny stocks requires a strategic approach. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Find a Broker: Set up your trading account, ensuring you understand the broker’s tools and fees. Make sure that your broker lets you trade ALL penny stocks — Robinhood, Webull, and many other brokers limit OTC stock market participation.

OTC stock exchanges are where you’ll find the cheapest penny stocks on the market, like those under 10 cents. These ultra-low-priced stocks can be highly volatile and offer substantial upside potential for traders who can navigate the risks effectively. Monitoring these stocks requires a hell of a lot of discipline — these small-cap stocks are not a bargain if they blow up your account! My 10 cent penny stock watchlist has the stocks that I’m watching the closest.

1. Fund Your Account: Deposit funds into your account, keeping in mind the amount you’re willing to risk.
2. Choose a Trading Platform: Select a reliable platform for trading penny stocks — my choice is StocksToTrade.
3. Screen for Stocks: Use stock screeners to filter stocks under $1 based on your criteria.
4. Research Stocks: Analyze the stock’s financial health, market trends, and news.
5. Place a Trade: Execute your trade, setting stop-loss orders to manage risk.

Due diligence is crucial when trading penny stocks. Here’s how to perform it:

• Financial Statements: Review balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow reports.
• Company News: Stay updated with the latest news and press releases.
• Analyst Ratings: Check ratings and recommendations from trusted analysts.
• Trading Volume: Ensure the stock has sufficient volume for liquidity.

Risks and Considerations Investing in Penny Stocks

Investing in penny stocks comes with significant risks — that’s why I tell my students never to invest in them, only trade them. The high volatility of these stocks can lead to quick gains, but it also means prices can plummet rapidly. Many penny stocks are from companies with uncertain futures, making thorough research essential.

Legit stock exchanges like the NYSE and Nasdaq will delist stocks trading under a dollar, and Wall Street tends to stay away — the guys with the best insights and most trading profits think these stocks are just too unpredictable! That doesn’t mean that you should stay away, but you should be content with small share price increases and trade safely!

That means limiting your risks — here’s how:

• Set a Budget: Only invest money you can afford to lose.
• Cut Losses Quickly: Protect your account by setting limits on losses.
• Double Down on Analysis: Regularly monitor news and developments related to your stocks.

Volatility and Market Risks

Penny stocks are notorious for their high volatility. This volatility can create trading opportunities but also poses significant risks. Share prices can swing dramatically within short periods, influenced by factors such as market trends, company news, and investor sentiment.

You can manage volatility at the shallow end of the market cap by doing the following:

• Set Stop-Loss Orders: Automatically sell a stock when it reaches a certain price to limit losses.
• Monitor Trading Volume: High trading volume indicates liquidity, making it easier to enter and exit positions.
• Stay Informed: Keep track of news and market trends affecting your stocks.

Potential for Fraud and Scams

Penny stocks are often targets for fraud and scams, particularly pump-and-dump schemes. In these scams, promoters say that a stock is undervalued to attract investors and then sell off their shares at the peak, leaving other investors with significant losses.

To avoid scams, follow these guidelines:

• Research the Company: Ensure the company has legitimate business operations.
• Verify News Sources: Only trust information from reputable sources.
• Beware of Hype: Be cautious of overly optimistic promotions and unsolicited stock tips.
• Check Regulatory Filings: Look for filings with the SEC to ensure transparency.

Liquidity Issues

Liquidity refers to how easily you can buy or sell a stock without affecting its price. Penny stocks often have low liquidity, making it challenging to enter or exit positions quickly. Low liquidity can lead to significant price changes with relatively small trades.

Assessing liquidity before investing is crucial:

• Check Trading Volume: Higher trading volume indicates better liquidity.
• Use Stock Screeners: Filter stocks based on average trading volume.
• Monitor Bid-Ask Spread: A narrow spread indicates better liquidity.

Regulatory Risks

The regulatory landscape for penny stocks can be complex. The SEC imposes specific rules to protect investors, but enforcement can be inconsistent. Recent changes in regulations can impact the trading and profitability of penny stocks.

Here are some key points on regulatory risks:

• SEC Rules: Familiarize yourself with SEC regulations on penny stocks.
• Recent Changes: Stay updated on new rules and changes affecting penny stocks.
• Compliance: Ensure the companies you invest in comply with all regulatory requirements.

Criteria for Selecting the Best Stocks Under $1

Selecting the best penny stocks requires careful evaluation and risk management. Look for stocks with strong potential for growth and manageable risks. Key criteria include financial health, market trends, and company fundamentals.

Here are specific factors to consider:

• Revenue Growth: Look for consistent revenue increases.
• Debt Levels: High debt can be a red flag.
• Profitability: Positive earnings and profit margins are good indicators.
• Market Position: Companies with a competitive edge in their industry.

Company Fundamentals

Analyzing a company’s fundamentals is essential for evaluating its long-term potential. Strong fundamentals can indicate a company’s ability to grow and withstand market challenges. This includes financial metrics and business strategies.

Key financial metrics to review:

• Revenue Growth: Consistent increases in revenue.
• Debt Levels: Manageable debt ratios.
• Profitability: Positive net income and profit margins.
• Cash Flow: Strong cash flow indicates financial stability.
• Market Capitalization: Micro-cap stocks move differently than stocks with higher market caps — know which you’re dealing with!

Market Trends and Industry Outlook

Market trends significantly influence penny stock prices. Stocks in trending sectors often have higher growth potential — penny stocks in AI, energy, precious metals, gold, crypto, and new technologies are always hot! Understanding industry-specific factors helps identify opportunities and risks.

Here’s your hot sector checklist:

• Industry Growth: Sectors with rapid growth offer more opportunities.
• Technological Advancements: Innovations can drive stock prices.
• Regulatory Changes: New regulations can impact industry dynamics.

Trading Volume and Liquidity

Trading volume is the biggest factor in penny stock trading. It indicates the stock’s liquidity, affecting how easily you can buy or sell shares. High trading volume usually means better liquidity and less price manipulation.

Interpreting trading volume data:

• Average Volume: Compare the stock’s volume to its average daily volume.
• Volume Spikes: Sudden increases in volume can signal significant news.
• Liquidity Indicators: Stocks with consistent high volume are generally more liquid.

Recent News and Developments

Staying updated with recent news and developments is vital for penny stock traders. News can significantly impact stock prices, providing opportunities for informed trading decisions. Keeping track of company announcements and industry trends helps anticipate market movements.

Tips for leveraging news:

• Follow Reputable Sources: Use reliable news outlets and financial websites.
• Set Alerts: Use tools to get notifications about news related to your stocks.
• Analyze Impact: Consider how news affects the company’s fundamentals and market perception.

Financial Health and Stability

Financial health indicators are crucial for assessing a company’s stability and growth potential. Strong financials suggest that a company can weather market fluctuations and continue to grow. Key indicators include financial ratios and cash reserves.

Of course, no penny stock is going to have financials that are actually strong — but you want to know the difference between a stock that is truly worthless and one you can hold overnight!

Here are the basics:

• Current Ratio: Measures liquidity and short-term financial health.
• Debt-to-Equity Ratio: Indicates financial leverage and risk.
• Return on Equity (ROE): Shows how effectively a company uses its equity to generate profit.
• Earnings Per Share (EPS): Reflects the company’s profitability on a per-share basis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Stocks Under $1 Safe Investments?

Stocks under $1 are generally high-risk investments. They often belong to companies with uncertain financial health and high volatility in their share price. These stocks can offer significant returns but also come with the risk of BIG losses. You need to trade these stocks with a clear strategy and thorough research.

Can You Make Money With Penny Stocks?

Yes, it’s possible to make money with penny stocks, but it requires careful planning and risk management. High returns are possible due to the significant price movements of these stocks. However, success stories are less common, and most traders lose. Always approach penny stock trading with caution and a well-defined strategy.

Should Beginners Invest in Penny Stocks?

Beginners should be cautious when considering penny stocks. Investing is the first mistake that beginners make. Never invest, only trade these stocks under the guidance of a good trading plan!