Hello! If you were searching for brokers offering commission-free stocks and ETF trading, you might have encountered Trading 212. And you’re probably wondering if you can trade penny stocks, as they are not available on all brokers’ platforms.
In this article, you’ll find out if you can trade penny stocks on Trading 212 and how to find them. We’ll also briefly discuss penny stocks and their risks and offer some tips we think might be helpful. So, let’s get right into it.
What are Penny Stocks?
As its name implies, a penny stock is:
- A micro-cap company that trades at a very low price;
- Highly speculative and risky due to low trading volume, significant bid-ask spreads, and limited information availability;
- Appealing to many investors since they allow them to buy a large number of shares hoping that they are purchasing the next Amazon or Apple and expect a large price increase in the future.
Although penny stocks usually trade below $1, €1, or £1, the SEC changed the criteria to include all shares traded below $5. Some are traded on exchanges, whereas others are traded over the counter. As such, not all brokers give you access to buy and sell penny stocks. As described in the following sections, penny stocks can offer big profit opportunities. Still, on the other hand, you should be aware that you will be exposed to huge risks due to low liquidity, volatility, and lack of information.
It is worth noting that not all penny stocks are illiquid securities, and you might encounter a penny stock with a high trading volume. Some might be trading at meager prices following a sudden decrease in price due to many factors, such as stock splits and changes in the company’s operational outlook. Moreover, some companies have a large number of outstanding shares, and their stock’s fair value is within a low price range.
Some of the penny stocks currently available on the market and available on Trading 212:
- UK: Rolls-Royce, Lloyds Banking
- Spain: Banco Sabadell, Unicaja Banco SA
- France: E-Pango SAS, Europlasma
- Germany: Senvion SA, Wirecard AG
- Belgium: DMS Imaging SA, Accentis NV
- US: Armstrong Flooring Inc, Powerbridge Technologies Co Ltd
Can you trade Penny Stocks on Trading 212?
Yes, you can trade penny stocks on Trading 212. However, last year, the company suspended trading highly illiquid penny stocks. Still, you can find several stocks that are traded on global exchanges and over-the-counter as well. Below is an extract from Trading 212’s website regarding this matter:
“In recent months, there has been unprecedented market activity and volatility worldwide, including microcap penny stocks. These stocks are especially risky due to the lack of liquidity, public information, and extreme volatility. Many microcap companies are new and don’t have any proven track record. That said, the recent trading frenzy has triggered concerns and investigations from regulators and liquidity providers. “
How to trade Penny Stocks on Trading 212?
- Open an account at Trading 212. If you want, you can check our review before proceeding.
- After funding your account, you can check the instruments you can trade on Trading 212 by searching for the symbol or company name or by checking this page on their website.
- We recommend in-depth research before deciding which penny stock to buy. You can check the historical prices to see whether the stock has been trading for some time below $5 or it has plunged recently due to some information. You must also research the company to determine if it is worth the investment. As it is listed on an exchange, you can check its financial statements, its website and read what analysts are saying about its outlook.
- Determine whether you want to buy or sell the penny stock, the size of your trade, and then set your stop loss and take profit levels. Once you have all this information, you can execute and review your order by clicking the “Send Buy Order” button on the screen. (As penny stocks are highly volatile, you might want to use limit orders to place your orders).
- You can now begin monitoring your position and regularly checking the news for company announcements or updates. Keep in mind that investing in penny stocks comes with additional risks.
Penny Stocks Pros and Cons
Pros
- Probability of high returns
- Very low price per share
- You can get exposure to penny stocks with a very small amount of money
Cons
- Limited information available on the company
- Low trading volume
- Price easily manipulated
- Very risky investments
Penny Stocks investment tips
After giving this brief overview of penny stocks, including the risks connected with trading such instruments and the potential returns that you might generate, we will list a few of the best penny stock tips that might be helpful while investing in penny stocks:
- Do some research on the company: You should invest in something you are well aware of;
- Utilize Stop-loss orders: It is best to have a stop-loss order predetermined before entering a trade. As such, you would set a price limit that is considered the maximum loss you are willing to bear. Once this level is reached, it will trigger an automatic closure of your position;
- Keep the penny stock fraud scheme in mind. As we mentioned, some misleading information may circulate in order to inflate the price of penny stocks. So it is best to stay focused and update your order limits regularly. (This mainly applies to stocks trading OTC due to fewer disclosure requirements);
- Check the fees you are paying to buy and sell those penny stocks, and assess the cost/benefit of the trade.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, Trading 212 is one of the few brokers offering commission-free stocks and ETF trading and that lets you trade penny stocks. Remember that penny stocks are very risky investments due to increased volatility, low trading volume, and limited visibility of the company’s financials and operations. Simply put, it is like buying a lottery ticket. Therefore, we believe that such stocks are suitable for investors with a high-risk tolerance (willing to accept the high risk and able to bear high losses).
Did we answer all your questions? If not, or if you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below.
Other FAQs
Can I buy OTC Penny Stocks on Trading 212?
Yes, Trading 212 gives you access to trade over-the-counter penny stocks.
What is the best Penny Stock?
There are no best penny stocks. Penny stocks are highly volatile and speculative investments, and you need to do appropriate research before investing in penny stocks.
Can you make money on a Penny Stock?
Although penny stocks are considered among the riskiest stocks on the market, you could end up with huge gains if you were able to invest in the right stocks.
Should you invest in Penny Stocks?
It depends on your willingness to accept risk, as penny stocks are considered highly risky, thus a high potential loss should be expected.
Toni is a Fintech Analyst with over 8 years of experience in the financial industry where he worked as a financial control analyst at a regional bank and later conducted independent investment research analysis.
