Finding information on the market’s top penny stocks — current or future - is no easy task, simply because there’s not much of it out there. The companies are so small and have such a limited number of investors, the analytical community has little need or desire to do any real in-depth research in these micro cap and small cap stocks. There are a handful of resources out there, however, for penny stock trading enthusiasts willing to do a little digging. Here’s a look and some notes on the top ones.

Probably the most comprehensive of all the OTC-listed directories, this site has basic information about any equity that’s not listed on a senior exchange (like the NYSE or NASDAQ). Therefore, OTC (OTCQX and OTCQB) names can be examined and identified here, and well as all three tiers of pink sheet stocks (current, limited, and no info).

While the OTC Markets site is a complete library of all the OTC stocks, and offers SEC filings, press releases, and even Standard & Poor’s reports on these bulletin board and pink sheet stocks, it doesn’t have links to opinions and perspectives.

In many senses the Non-MMS Quotation Service site, previously called the OTC Bulletin Board, overlaps with the OTC markets site, but with one noteworthy subtraction. the NNQS site doesn’t have any information about pink sheet equities, and only focuses on bulletin broad listed names. It does aggregate all the news and filings and quote data for all BB stocks though.

Though fewer companies are covered by the NNQS/OTC Bulletin Board site, this resource does offer something not available anywhere else — statistics and a database of historical trading data for each of the stocks it covers, a list of graduations to senior exchanges, OTC marketwide statistics, and bi-weekly short interest information on these stocks.

While there are dozens of stock screeners available on the web (for free), none are as robust as FINVIZ.com. Any criteria you can imagine can be used to identify and sort any stock in any price range, with one catch. it only has exchange-listed stocks in its database — no pink sheet, OTC, bulletin board, or NNQS equities.В

Still, since there are many exchange-traded stocks that are also — technically — penny stocks (and in many ways the exchange-listing makes them more credible, and perhaps even a little more reliable), FINVIZ can be an invaluable resources in your search for penny stock ideas.

The site also aggregates news and op-ed pieces for each stock in its database.

While there are plenty of other sites out there that offer information on penny stocks, micro cap stocks, and small cap stocks, many of them also include a great bit of distraction and advertisements. and may not have the actual information you need. Be sure to examine any commentary’s fine print to make sure it’s an unbiased look.

James E. Brumley is a paid contributor of the SmallCap Network. James E. Brumley’s personal holdings should be disclosed above. You can also view SmallCap Network’s complete disclaimer and disclosure.