5 Top Penny Stocks to Buy for January 2018

Few investments have the profit potential of penny stocks, which are stocks that trade under $5 per share.

Just take a look at Marathon Patent Group Inc. (Nasdaq: MARA). That penny stock climbed an astounding 341% during the four trading days of Thanksgiving week.

So today, we're giving you five of the top penny stocks to buy for January 2018 that all have massive upside.

While these stocks have huge profit potentials, you must keep in mind that penny stocks are speculative investments. They often see big pullbacks after making large gains.

No more than 2% of your stock portfolio should consist of such risky investments.

But if you're willing to take the risk, some of these stocks could bring you profits of over 300% in 2018.

FREE PROFIT ALERTS: Get real-time recommendations on the best penny stock opportunities the moment we release them. Just sign up here, it's completely free...

Now here's the first penny stock on our list today...

Penny Stocks to Buy for January 2018, No. 5: Viking Therapeutics

Currently trading at $4.52 per share, Viking Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: VKTX) develops drugs to treat fatty liver disease and post-hip surgery rehabilitation. It has the highest share price of the penny stocks on our list today.

The company's lead clinical program VK5211 is currently in phase 2 clinical trials for post-hip surgery rehabilitation.

In 2017, Viking Therapeutics shares climbed an impressive 241% from $1.19 to $4.06.

The company announced positive initial results for VK5211's phase 2 clinical trials on Nov. 30. This drove up VKTX shares from $3.04 to $4.51 today (Jan. 2) for a gain of 48.35% in December.

The company's stock is covered by five firms with an average price target of $8.30, representing 84% upside from current levels, according to S&P Capital IQ.

Next up is a biotech company with a potentially "game-changing" technology in the fight against cancer...

Penny Stocks to Buy for January 2018, No. 4: Sorrento Therapeutics Inc.

San Diego-based Sorrento Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: SRNE) develops drugs to treat certain types of cancer and chronic cancer pain.

On Jan. 6, company officials will present a new proprietary technology for the treatment of cancer. Analysts are calling this new technology a potential "game-changer."

Its stock currently trades at $4.30 and is covered by two firms with an average price target of $13.00, representing 202.32% upside from current levels, according to S&P Capital IQ.

The Night Trader's Secret: A former Wall Street insider just revealed a new strategy for executing night trades that could set you up for potential $850, $2,250, or $6,775 paydays - overnight. Click here.

SRNE has beaten analysts' earnings expectations in the last two quarters.

The next penny stock on this list also develops treatments for cancer...

Penny Stocks to Buy for January 2018, No. 3: Sierra Oncology

Based in Canada, Sierra Oncology Inc. (Nasdaq: SRRA) develops DNA damage response treatments for cancer patients. The company's stock currently trades at $3.81.

The company's lead drug candidate SRA737 is in phase 1 clinical trials to treat patients with advanced cancer.

In 2017, Sierra Oncology shares climbed 142.2% from $1.54 to $3.73.

SRRA shares really took off after the company reported stellar Q3 2017 earnings on Nov. 8. Shares climbed 93.26% from $1.93 that day to $3.73 by the end of the year.

During the company's Q3 2017 earnings call on Nov. 8, company officials said they would provide an update on SRA737's progress in February.

SRRA shares are covered by three firms and have an average price target of $4.33, with analysts at Wedbush Securities Inc. targeting $5. From the stock's current level at $3.81, those price targets represent 12.86% and 31.23% upside, respectively.

The company has beaten analysts' earnings expectations in the last two quarters.

Now, as promised, here are the final two stocks on this list. One has upside of nearly 300%...