Penny stocks are low-priced, small-company shares often trading OTC or on junior markets. They can offer big percentage gains but carry heightened risks: manipulation, illiquidity, limited disclosure, and higher trading costs.
From 18th-century trading floors to modern apps, stock investing evolved into an electronic, global activity. Online brokerages now offer real-time tools, commission-free trades for many U.S. stocks and ETFs, fractional shares, and automated portfolios, while investor protections and risks remain important considerations.
Stock investment means buying shares to own part of a company. Stocks provide capital to businesses and offer potential income and growth to investors, but they carry market risk. Diversification, time horizon, and informed planning help manage that risk.