Today's Top Penny Stocks: APP, CCCR, NSPH, STEM, SYMX Are Soaring

top penny stocks today

Today's (Wednesday's) top penny stocks come from a variety of sectors, including biotech, retail, financial services, and energy, and they are making gains for different reasons. These big movers do have one thing in common - today their investors cashed in big.

Penny stocks represent an inherently riskier investment option for investors. But with these risks in mind, be aware that not all penny stocks are created equal - some can be solid investments with wonderful upside potential.

Here are Wednesday's five top penny stocks, and why they're on the rise.

The Five Top Penny Stocks Today

  1. American Apparel Inc. (NYSEMKT: APP)

Last Wednesday, APP Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dov Charney was terminated by APP's board. He was accused of sexual harassment of the clothing retailer's employees and misuse of company funds. Charney owns a 27.2% stake in APP. Shares reacted positively to the news and gained more than 5%.

On Monday, the board hired an advisory firm for help raising capital. Then yesterday, Charney's attorney filed a petition for arbitration to potentially regain his stripped positions. That same trading session, APP stock tanked 21% to close at a two-month low of $0.53.

Today, American Apparel stock has rebounded with a 25.26% pop to $0.662 per share. Perhaps investors believe in the board's case against Charney to the point where they aren't threatened by the legal action. Or perhaps they believe the company can't get much worse, and want to cash in while the stock's at a discount.

  1. China Commercial Credit Inc. (Nasdaq: CCCR)

This microcredit company provides borrowed capital to the population in China that was previously barred from receiving financing, including farmers, small private entities, and other individuals.

Last Thursday, China Commercial reported Q1 2014 results of lower net income but higher revenue year over year. It has been making efforts to repay loans and bad debts, and combatting the issue of lending to an inexperienced population.

After dropping more than 40% over the past 12 months, perhaps CCCR stock is ready for a rebound. Shares are up 11.08% in the last five days, and on track for a 19.38% gain today to $3.65 per share.

  1. Nanosphere Inc. (Nasdaq: NSPH)

Biotech penny stock Nanosphere Inc. announced on Monday that it was selected by HealthTrust as a provider of multi-target molecular diagnostic tests for HealthTrust's 1,400 care facilities. It also announced this week that it received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the bacterial portion of Verigene Enteric Pathogens Nucleic Acid Test.

NSPH stock has gained 30.16% over the last five days and is on track for a 16.19% gain to $1.65 per share today.

  1. StemCells Inc. (Nasdaq: STEM)

Another biotech penny stock on the rise, STEM announced on Monday at the International Society for Stem Cell Research that its lead drug - which treats macular degeneration - came through phase I/II trials with strong results. Macular degeneration affects approximately 10 million people in the United States over the age of 50.

It also reported positive Q1 2014 results on Monday. "We have made substantial progress in our clinical programs this past quarter," President and CEO Martin McGlynn said.

STEM stock is up more than 72% year to date, and more than 35% in the last five days. Shares are on track for a 12.55% gain to $2.07 today.

  1. Synthesis Energy Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: SYMX)

On May 30, Synthesis announced that its wholly owned subsidiary entered into an exclusive agreement with Midrex Technologies Inc. and Shanghai's Jiangsu Tianwo-SES Clean Energy Technologies Ltd. for the joint marketing of coal gasification-based direct reduced iron facilities in China. That means that Houston-based SYMX has a plan for using coal in a "cleaner" way to power the vast China.

"We're bringing a key that unlocks those (coal) resources that have just been in the ground," Synthesis President and CEO Robert Rigdon said to the Houston Business Journal on June 12. "China, by need, is having to lead the way in this cleaner coal business," Rigdon said. "Ironically, they're cleaning up because they need the energy."

The method results in fewer emissions than natural gas, but, according to Rigdon, it's a very expensive process and one that not many in the United States are willing to pay for.

With its cleaner-coal method, this top penny stock is up a whopping 181.67% so far in 2014 and is on track for a 9.8% gain today to finish at $1.68 per share.

Investing in Bitcoin may go against the grain - it's anything but a conventional investment. But sometimes that's what it takes to maximize your returns. And these Bitcoin stock winners - companies that will exploit the digital currency for the benefit of their own businesses - are already reaping a benefit...

Related Articles: