7 Stocks Under $2 to Consider This Year (2024)

Stocks priced under $2 can lure in small-account traders — which is fine as long as you’re aware of the risks! These low-priced penny stocks offer the potential for big returns and significant risks due to their volatile nature. In 2024, stocks under $2 are routinely running, driven by favorable market conditions and a very speculative market.

Here’s what traders should look for in penny stocks:

• Financial Health: Strong earnings, manageable debt levels, and positive cash flow.
• Market Potential: Companies operating in growing industries with significant upside.
• Recent News: Developments such as new product launches, partnerships, or earnings reports.
• Trading Volume: Sufficient volume to ensure liquidity and ease of trading.
• Volatility: Stocks that offer trading opportunities due to price fluctuations.

Stocks under a dollar can be even better at running — but they’ll test your discipline even more than $2 stocks! These low market cap 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 $1 has some of the penny stocks I’m watching the closest right now.

Top Stocks Under $2 to Watch Out for in September 2024

To find the best stocks under $2 to watch out for in September 2024 requires a top-level stock screener. I use the one in StocksToTrade — it has all the tools and customization options 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 $2, I input the following criteria:

• Last Price ≤ $2
• Last Price ≥ $0.50
• Volume ≥ 50,000
• Number of Trades ≥ 100

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

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:

Electra Battery Materials Corporation [NASDAQ: ELBM]

Electra Battery Materials Corp is building North America’s fully integrated, localized, and environmentally sustainable battery materials park. Electra Battery Materials is an integral part of the North American battery supply chain, providing low-carbon, sustainable, and traceable raw materials for the region’s fast growing electric vehicle industry.

The Fund is an actively managed exchange traded fund that attempts to replicate 1.5x the inverse (-150%) daily percentage change of the Underlying Stock by entering into a swap agreement on the Underlying Stock. The Fund aims to generate the inverse daily performance of the Underlying Stock for a single day. A single day is defined as being calculated from the close of regular trading on one trading day to the close on the next trading day. The Fund seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, of 1.5 times (15) the daily percentage change of the common stock of NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ NVDA).

Sangamo Therapeutics Inc. [NASDAQ: SGMO]

Sangamo Therapeutics Inc is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that translates ground-breaking science into genomic therapies transforming patients’ lives using platform technologies in genome editing, gene therapy, gene regulation and cell therapy. The company’s product pipeline includes Hemophilia, Central Nervous System, HIV, Lysosomal Storage Disorders, and Hemoglobinopathies.

Silexion Therapeutics Corp [NASDAQ: SLXN]

Silexion Therapeutics LTD, a biopharmaceutical company, discovers and develops RNA interference (RNAi)-based cancer drugs and delivery systems to treat malignant solid tumors. The company engages in the treatment of solid tumors through its proprietary LODER delivery platform. Its products comprise SiG12D-LODER that has completed pre-clinical studies and an open label Phase I clinical trial for the treatment of pancreatic cancer; Prostate-LODER, which is in pre-clinical studies for the treatment of prostate cancer; and GBM-LODER that is in pre-clinical studies to target Glioblastoma Multiform, a malignant primary brain tumor. The company was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Jerusalem, Israel.

Opko Health Inc. [NASDAQ: OPK]

OPKO Health Inc is a diversified biotechnology company that operates pharmaceutical and diagnostic development programs. Opko’s diagnostics business includes a core genetic testing operation. It has a development and commercial supply pharmaceutical company, as well as a global supply-chain operation and holding company in Ireland. Opko also owns a speciality active pharmaceutical ingredients manufacturer in Israel. The company’s bio-reference testing business consists of routine testing and esoteric testing. Routine tests measure various health parameters, such as the functions of the heart, kidney, liver, thyroid, and other organs.

Adaptimmune Therapeutics plc [NASDAQ: ADAP]

Adaptimmune Therapeutics PLC is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. It focused on providing novel cell therapies to patients, particularly in solid tumors. It has developed a comprehensive proprietary platform that enables it to identify cancer targets, find and genetically engineer T-cell receptors, and produce TCR therapeutic candidates for administration to patients. Its programs include MAGE-A10 T-cell therapy, NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER, AFP SPEAR T-cell, MAGE-A4 SPEAR T-cell therapy and NY- ESO SPEAR T-cell for multiple cancer types.

GrafTech International Ltd. [NYSE: EAF]

GrafTech International Ltd is a producer of specialized graphite electrodes. The electrode is an essential part of the electric arc furnace process used in aluminum smelters and steel minimills. The company operates into one reporting segment namely Industrial Materials. Industrial Materials segment manufactures high-quality graphite electrodes essential to the production of electric arc furnace steel and other ferrous and non-ferrous metals. It offers graphite electrodes and needle co*ke products.

Criteria for Selecting the Best Stocks Under $2

Rigorous criteria are essential for selecting promising stocks under $2. This ensures that the chosen stocks have strong fundamentals and potential for growth. For beginner traders, it’s crucial to understand what makes a stock worth considering.

Specific criteria used in this selection include:

• Financial Health: Companies with solid financials, positive earnings, and manageable debt levels.
• Market Potential: Stocks in industries with growth opportunities and strong demand.
• Recent News: Positive developments such as product launches, partnerships, or significant earnings reports.
• Trading Volume: High volume indicates liquidity and investor interest.
• Volatility: High volatility provides trading opportunities but requires careful risk management.

Company Fundamentals and Financial Health

Key financial metrics to assess a company’s health include earnings, debt levels, and cash flow. These indicators help determine whether a company is financially stable and has growth potential. For example, a company with increasing earnings, low debt, and strong cash flow is likely to be more stable and capable of growth.

Market Trends and Industry Potential

Current market trends play a crucial role in the performance of penny stocks. Stocks in growing industries or those riding significant trends can see substantial price increases. For instance, the tech industry is booming with advancements in AI and machine learning, creating opportunities for stocks in this sector.

Trends to watch include:

• Technology: Growth in AI, machine learning, and other tech innovations.
• Healthcare: Advancements in biotech and pharmaceuticals.
• Energy: Renewable energy and sustainability trends driving demand.

These trends indicate which industries are likely to see growth, impacting the value of stocks within them.

Trading Volume and Liquidity

Trading volume and liquidity are critical considerations for trading stocks under $2. High trading volume indicates strong investor interest and better liquidity, making it easier to buy and sell shares without significant price changes. For example, a stock with consistently high trading volume is more likely to be stable and less susceptible to price manipulation.

Recent trading volume data for the selected stocks shows robust activity, suggesting good liquidity. This makes them suitable for trading, as high volume typically means tighter spreads and better execution prices.

Recent News and Corporate Developments

Staying updated with recent news and corporate developments is vital for penny stock traders. News such as product launches, earnings reports, or significant partnerships can drastically impact stock prices. For instance, a biotech company announcing positive trial results can see a sharp increase in its share price.

Associated Risks and Considerations

Investing in stocks priced under $2 involves significant risks. These stocks are highly volatile and can lead to substantial losses. It’s essential to understand these risks and manage them effectively.

Common risks include:

• High Volatility: Rapid price swings can lead to significant gains or losses.
• Liquidity Issues: Low liquidity can make it difficult to enter or exit positions.
• Regulatory Risks: Changes in regulations can impact stock performance.

High Volatility and Market Risks

Market volatility is a key characteristic of penny stocks. These stocks can experience rapid price changes due to various factors such as market sentiment, news, and trading volume. High volatility can provide trading opportunities but also increases the risk of significant losses.

OTC markets (OTCMKTS) are where you’ll find the cheapest penny stocks on the market, like those under 50 cents. These low capitalization stocks are typically low on revenue, high on volatility and offer the potential for profits if you can steer clear of their massive risks! Monitoring these stocks requires a hell of a lot of discipline and a strong understanding of market risks and trading plan building. My 50 cent penny stock watchlist has the stocks that I’m watching the closest!

Potential for Fraud and Scams

Low-priced stocks are often targets for fraud and scams, such as pump-and-dump schemes. In these scams, promoters artificially inflate the stock price, lure in investors, and then sell their shares, causing the price to plummet.

To avoid scams:

• Research the Company: Verify the legitimacy of the company’s operations. Regular analysts and portfolio funds won’t cover these stocks — look to newsletters and internet publications for ideas and information, but be careful!
• Check Regulatory Filings: Look for SEC filings to ensure transparency.
• Beware of Hype: Be wary of overly promotional messages, Twitter/X opinions and recommendations, and unsolicited advice.

Liquidity Issues

Liquidity is important when trading stocks under $2. This is the ability to buy or sell securities without significantly affecting their price, and the ability to enter and exit these assets at your price targets. Low liquidity can lead to difficulties in executing trades, especially large orders.

To assess liquidity:

• Check Trading Volume: High trading volume indicates better liquidity.
• Monitor Bid-Ask Spread: A narrow spread suggests a more liquid market.
• Use Stock Screeners: Tools like StocksToTrade can help identify stocks with enough liquidity.

Regulatory Risks and Compliance

Regulatory risks can significantly impact penny stocks. The SEC and other regulatory bodies have rules in place to protect investors, but these regulations can also affect the stocks’ performance. Recent changes in regulations can create uncertainty and impact stock prices.

Key regulatory considerations include:

• SEC Rules: Understand the regulations governing penny stocks.
• Compliance Issues: Ensure companies comply with regulatory requirements.
• Recent Changes: Stay updated on new regulations affecting low-priced stocks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Stocks Under $2 Safe Investments?

Stocks under $2 are generally considered high-risk investments due to their volatility and the financial instability of the companies. These stocks can lead to profitability but also come with the potential for substantial losses. Never invest your money in these stocks — approach with caution and a clear strategy.

Is It Possible to Diversify with Stocks Under $2?

Diversification is possible with stocks under $2, allowing investors to spread risk across multiple stocks. Just remember — you’re trading NOT investing.

Do Stocks Under $2 Perform Well in Bull Markets?

In stock markets hitting highs, low-priced stocks can perform exceptionally well due to increased investor optimism and market momentum. Historical data shows that penny stocks often see significant gains during bullish periods. However, their high volatility means they can also experience sharp declines, so it’s crucial to manage risks effectively.