Market Basics
What are Micro-Caps?

What Is A Micro-Cap Stock?
The term 'Micro-cap Stock' is used to refer to stocks that have a market capitalization of roughly $300 million or less. Micro-cap stocks generally sell at, or less than, five dollars, and usually trade in what is referred to as the Over-the-Counter (OTC) market, which would include the OTC Bulletin Board and the Pink Sheets.

Micro-cap Stocks are also referred to as Penny Stocks.

How Are Micro-Cap Stocks Different From Other Stocks?
Other than the markep capitalization size, the biggest differences between micro-cap stocks and other stocks relate to a lack of public information, listing requirements and investment risk.

Most micro-cap Stocks do not have the same reporting requirements with the SEC. Companies on the Pink Sheets, for example, do not have to meet any minimum listing requirements, whereas companies that trade their stocks on major exchanges have requirements relating to total assets, minimum net assets, a minimum number of shareholders and total market capitalization.

Micro-cap Stock investments tend to be high risk because the companies tend to be new and have little or no proven track record.

Are Micro-Cap Stock Investments Risky?
Yes, all stock investments are risky! Especially micro-cap stocks or any other company with little or no operating history, but this also allows for explosive growth potential.

Protect Yourself

Below is a list of articles we've compiled to help you, the investor, protect yourself when investing.