In this article, we examine the 13 Best NYSE Penny Stocks to Invest in Now.
Penny stocks, usually trading below $5, are known for volatility but attract investors—including hedge funds, for their turnaround potential. Many are listed on major exchanges like the NYSE, offering better liquidity and oversight than OTC markets.
Market data shows that trading activity in low-priced stocks is robust. According to the SIFMA Equity Market Structure Compendium for 2024, penny stocks accounted for 28% of all shares traded that year, with 13.5% of that volume concentrated in securities priced below $1. The report concluded that low-priced equities continue to command a sizable share of overall market activity, reinforcing a multi-year trend of elevated interest in this segment.
Performance data further supports the case. The Russell Microcap Index, which tracks the smallest 1,000 U.S. stocks in the Russell 3000, gained 13.70% in 2024, compared to the Russell 3000’s 23.81% return. Granted, the spread is sizable. However, it highlights that micro-cap stocks can still generate solid returns even in a broader market rally. Analysts at BofA Global Research recently observed that “selective exposure to small-cap and micro-cap stocks may offer asymmetric return potential as the rate cycle nears its peak.”
Against this context, we highlight 13 NYSE-listed penny stocks that have gained investor attention and may be poised for further upside.
Our Methodology
To create this list, we utilized the Finviz stock screener to filter for stocks listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) trading below $5 per share. From this group, we narrowed our selection to include only stocks with positive year-to-date returns as of August 11, 2025. We then incorporated hedge fund holdings data from Insider Monkey’s Q1 2025 database to verify institutional interest in the selected names. The final list represents the top 13 NYSE penny stocks ranked in ascending order based on their year-to-date price performance.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
Best NYSE Penny Stocks to Invest in Now
13. NIO Inc. (NYSE:NIO)
Year-To-Date Returns: 7.91%
Share Price: $4.91
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 21
NIO Inc. (NYSE:NIO) is one of the best NYSE penny stocks to invest in now. On August 1, Macquarie upgraded NIO’s rating from “Neutral” to “Outperform” and raised its 12-month price target on the company’s U.S.-listed shares from $3.90 to $5.50. The decision came right after NIO launched the new ONVO L90 SUV, which Macquarie analysts described as a “potential blockbuster” and possibly NIO’s “most competitive offering” to date.
The L90 is a six-seat SUV priced at RMB 265,800 ($36,857). This pricing, the analysts noted, undercut rivals like Li Auto’s L8 by 17% but offers similar features, and comes close to the price of Tesla’s five-seat Model Y. The analysts highlighted the family-focused positioning of the L90, emphasizing space and usability over advanced tech. They see this as a key way for NIO to address its “core problem of insufficient volume” in past sales.
Macquarie projects monthly sales for the L90 could reach 8,000–12,000 units and describes the vehicle as a possible “category killer” in its segment. As a result, the analysts raised their FY25 and FY26 NIO vehicle delivery forecasts by 7% and 10% respectively (to 347,000 and 500,000 vehicles).
NIO Inc. (NYSE:NIO) is a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer that designs, builds, and sells premium smart EVs, including the ET5, ET7, ES6, and EC7. It develops core technologies in-house while leveraging both self-owned and partner manufacturing capabilities. The company operates an expansive NIO Power network, comprising battery-swapping stations, fast chargers, service centers, and NIO House/NIO Space retail sites, to support delivery growth and energy subscription services.
12. Enel Chile S.A. (NYSE:ENIC)
Year-To-Date Returns: 13.64%
Share Price: $3.25
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 10
Enel Chile S.A. (NYSE:ENIC) is one of the best NYSE penny stocks to invest in now. On July 31, the company held an earnings call in which management reported strong EBITDA growth in Q2 2025. EBITDA reached $293 million for the quarter and $659 million for the first half of the year. Net income for H1 2025 was $246 million, which is 8% lower than in the previous year. Management attributed the decrease to higher expenses for general and administrative functions, as well as higher depreciation.
Revenue for the quarter fell by 7.3%. The company stated that the decline was primarily because of lower energy sales in the Generation Segment. The quarter’s operating revenues were $1.177 billion, down 12.6% compared to Q2 2024.
Operational performance was also weak. Net electricity generation dropped 5% year-over-year, totaling 5.9 terawatt-hours (TWh). This decline was attributed to weaker hydropower output (hydro dispatch) and lower renewable electricity production. The company added that transmission bottlenecks and some unavailable thermal (gas or coal) units also caused efficiency losses.
Despite the challenges, the company’s procurement and services dropped 16.1% year-over-year for the first half and nearly 20% for Q2 alone. The cash flow from operations surged to $403 million in H1 2025, much higher than in 2024.
Enel Chile S.A. (NYSE: ENIC) is a Chilean electric utility company that generates, transmits, and distributes electricity throughout Chile. It operates over 8.5 GW of installed capacity, including approximately 6.5 GW from renewable sources. The company manages the electricity distribution network in Santiago and other metropolitan areas.
11. Safe Bulkers, Inc. (NYSE:SB)
Year-To-Date Returns: 13.93%
Share Price: $4.14
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 15
Safe Bulkers, Inc. (NYSE:SB) is one of the best NYSE penny stocks to invest in now. On July 29, the company announced its Q2 2025 earnings results, reporting an EPS of $0.01 for the quarter, which was $0.05 below the analyst consensus estimate. The company’s revenue came in at $65.7 million, exceeding the analyst consensus estimate of $61.42 million.
Net income declined to $1.7 million from $27.6 million reported in Q2 2024, and net revenues decreased by 16.3% to $65.75 million compared to the same quarter last year. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter also fell to $25.9 million from $50.7 million in Q2 2024. The company stated that the decline in revenues was mainly due to a weaker charter market and reduced earnings from scrubber-fitted vessels (ships equipped with devices to reduce emissions).
The average daily Time Charter Equivalent (TCE) rate decreased from $18,650 in Q2 2024 to $14,857 in Q2 2025. The company operated an average of 46.75 vessels during the quarter, slightly higher than the 45.43 vessels in Q2 2024. Be that as it may, Safe Bulkers declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share. The dividend will be paid on September 5, 2025, and marks the company’s fifteenth consecutive payout.
Safe Bulkers, Inc. (NYSE:SB) is a Monaco-based provider of marine dry bulk transportation services. It owns and operates a fleet of bulk carriers that transport commodities worldwide. Safe Bulkers’ core business is dry bulk shipping, supported by long-term charter contracts.
10. DHI Group, Inc. (NYSE:DHX)
Year-To-Date Returns: 15.43%
Share Price: $2.02
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 14
DHI Group, Inc. (NYSE:DHX) is one of the best NYSE penny stocks to invest in now. On August 6, the company released its second-quarter 2025 financial results, reporting an adjusted EPS of $0.07, which beat analyst estimates by $0.06. However, revenue fell short of expectations, coming in at $32.0 million versus the consensus of $32.15 million. The revenue was also 11% year-over-year lower.
DHI Group reported mixed segment performance. ClearanceJobs, serving the defense and government sectors, demonstrated resilience with revenue up 1% year-over-year to $13.6 million and strong profitability, achieving an adjusted EBITDA margin of 45%. On the other hand, Dice, focused on the broader commercial tech sector, saw revenue decline 18% year-over-year to $18.4 million.
In light of the Q2 2025 financial performance, the company has lowered its full-year 2025 revenue guidance to between $126 million and $128 million, down from its prior expectations of $131 million. It cited persistent weakness in tech hiring demand as the reason for this adjustment. Meanwhile, the company announced the strategic acquisition of AgileATS, which expands its government technology (GovTech) recruitment offerings.
DHI Group, Inc. (NYSE:DHX) is an American provider of AI-powered career marketplaces focused on technology roles. It operates two primary platforms, Dice and ClearanceJobs, that connect tech professionals with employers across commercial and government sectors.
9. Local Bounti Corporation (NYSE:LOCL)
Year-To-Date Returns: 20.87%
Share Price: $2.60
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: N/A
Local Bounti Corporation (NYSE:LOCL) is one of the best NYSE penny stocks to invest in now. On August 4, the company announced that it had secured an additional $10 million in financing through the issuance of a convertible note with an existing investor. The note has a five-year maturity and an annual interest rate of 6.0%, payable in kind, meaning interest will be paid with additional securities rather than cash.
Alongside this financing, Local Bounti amended its existing credit facility to reduce the principal balance by $10 million, effectively lowering its debt. As part of the transaction, the company will issue a warrant to the investor, which entitles the investor to purchase up to 550,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.125 per share. The terms of the company’s senior debt facility remain consistent with those of previous restructuring agreements as of March 31, 2025.
CEO Kathleen Valiasek highlighted that the new capital and debt reduction strengthen the company’s balance sheet, positioning it for continued operational strength and growth.
Local Bounti Corporation (NYSE:LOCL) is a U.S.-based controlled environment agriculture (CEA) company. It designs and operates indoor vertical farms to grow leafy greens and herbs. It leverages proprietary Stack & Flow technology to optimize crop yield, energy efficiency, and space utilization across its facilities in Montana, Georgia, and California.
8. Ardagh Metal Packaging S.A. (NYSE:AMBP)
Year-To-Date Returns: 29.97%
Share Price: $3.86
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 23
Ardagh Metal Packaging S.A. (NYSE:AMBP) is one of the best NYSE penny stocks to invest in now. On July 24, Citi reaffirmed its “Buy” rating on Ardagh with a maintained price target of $5.00 per share. The reaffirmation followed Ardagh’s Q2 2025 earnings report that exceeded expectations.
Ardagh’s EBITDA for the quarter came in at $210 million, beating analyst consensus estimates of $201 million and the company’s own guidance of $195–$205 million. Likewise, revenue surpassed the $1.35 billion consensus estimate, reaching $1.46 billion. So did the quarter’s EPS, which touched $0.08 against the estimated $0.07.
Following the stellar performance, Ardagh revised its full-year 2025 EBITDA guidance upwards to between $705 and $725 million, from a previous range of $695-$720 million. The consensus estimate is $720 million.
Before the earnings report, Citi had anticipated a 15% year-over-year increase in Ardagh’s second-quarter EBITDA to approximately $204 million. The analysts had also anticipated that the company would raise its full-year EBITDA guidance to $705–$725 million due to “strong demand in North America, ongoing volume growth in Europe, and modest upside from foreign exchange movements.”
Ardagh Metal Packaging S.A. (NYSE:AMBP) is a Luxembourg-based manufacturer of metal beverage cans for global brands in beer, carbonated soft drinks, energy drinks, and other categories. It operates production facilities across Europe, the United States, and Brazil, where it supplies lightweight, recyclable aluminum packaging to major beverage companies.
7. LG Display Co., Ltd. (NYSE:LPL)
Year-To-Date Returns: 30.97%
Share Price: $4.06
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 2
LG Display Co., Ltd. (NYSE:LPL) is one of the best NYSE penny stocks to invest in now. On July 24, the company announced its Q2 2025 earnings, with earnings per share (EPS) of $0.73, which beat analyst expectations by $0.86. The company’s revenue for the quarter was KRW 5.587 trillion ($4 billion), a 17% year-over-year decrease, but still topped analyst estimates.
LG Display posted a net profit of KRW 891 billion ($645 million) in the quarter, a huge jump from a net loss of KRW 237 billion ($170 million) in Q1 2025 and a net loss of KRW 471 billion in Q2 2024. The company attributed the net income gain to non-operating income, including foreign exchange gains and the sale of its stake in the Guangzhou LCD manufacturing plant.
The company stated that, during the quarter, it continued its strategic shift toward OLED technology, with OLED product sales now accounting for 56% of total revenue, up 4% from last year. It added that it is focusing on profitability over expansion, employing cost innovation measures, and reducing capital expenditures.
LG Display Co., Ltd. (NYSE:LPL) is a South Korean multinational display panel manufacturer. It produces OLED and LCD screens for TVs, monitors, laptops, smartphones, and automotive systems. The company operates advanced production facilities in South Korea and China, where it supplies display technologies to global OEMs such as Apple, Mercedes-Benz, and LG Electronics.
6. Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. (NYSE:TV)
Year-To-Date Returns: 32.57%
Share Price: $2.32
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 8
Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. (NYSE:TV) is one of the best NYSE penny stocks to invest in now. On July 23, Benchmark lifted its price target on Grupo Televisa from $7.00 to $9.00 while maintaining a “Buy” rating on the stock. The analysts cited cost improvements in Grupo Televisa’s Mexico cable operations as reflected in the company’s second-quarter 2025 earnings release.
Benchmark also cited the TelevisaUnivision joint venture, in which Grupo Televisa holds a 43% stake, as a key factor in its decision. The joint venture reported a 10% increase in Adjusted Operating Income Before Depreciation and Amortization (OIBDA) despite a weak advertising market. Another factor is a 4.5% sequential improvement in the Mexican peso spot rate from the second-quarter 2025 moving average.
Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. (NYSE:TV) is a Mexican multimedia conglomerate that owns and operates cable companies and satellite pay-TV systems. It delivers basic and premium TV subscriptions, internet, and mobile services through its Cable and Sky segments. The company also provides national advertising sales and data services via its fiber-optic network.
5. Douglas Elliman Inc. (NYSE:DOUG)
Year-To-Date Returns: 36.20%
Share Price: $2.22
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 20
Douglas Elliman Inc. (NYSE:DOUG) is one of the best NYSE penny stocks to invest in now. On July 31, the company announced its Q2 2025 earnings, with several key figures falling short of expectations. The quarter’s revenue reached $271.4 million, a 5% decline from Q2 2024. The company recorded a net loss of $22.7 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, significantly wider than the $1.7 million loss, or $0.02 per share, in the second quarter of 2024.
During the quarter, Douglas Elliman’s earnings per share (EPS) missed expectations by $0.09, reporting an EPS loss of $0.06 compared to a forecast of $0.03. Adjusted EBITDA also showed a loss of $0.8 million compared to a positive $2.9 million in the same quarter of the previous year. Operating loss increased slightly to $5.5 million from $3.7 million in Q2 2024. The company stated that the revenue decline was due to a reduction in closing transactions in May and early June 2025.
Despite the challenging quarter, the company cited a strong cash position of $136 million in cash and equivalents as of June 30, 2025. It also continues to invest strategically in key growth markets and agent support.
Douglas Elliman Inc. (NYSE:DOUG) is an American residential real estate brokerage specializing in luxury markets across New York, Florida, California, and other high-end regions. It operates through its subsidiary, Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC, which provides brokerage services, development marketing, and ancillary offerings, including mortgage and title services.
4. Tuya Inc. (NYSE:TUYA)
Year-To-Date Returns: 42.53%
Share Price: $2.48
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 16
Tuya Inc. (NYSE:TUYA) is one of the best NYSE penny stocks to invest in now. On August 5, Jefferies initiated coverage on Tuya’s shares with a “Buy” rating and set a price target of $3.49 per share.
The analyst identified Tuya as the “world’s largest third-party software and hardware IoT platform,” connecting over 800 million smart devices across more than 200 countries. This is the main reason the firm initiated the coverage. They also highlighted Tuya’s extensive client base of over 5,000 companies, including major brands like Philips (electronics), Haier (appliances), and Schneider Electric (energy management).
Jefferies noted Tuya’s ability to work with various devices and brands without favoring any one, as well as its comprehensive set of software and tools, and compliance credentials, as key advantages in the IoT market. The firm also pointed to generative artificial intelligence as a driver for new IoT products and higher average selling prices for Tuya’s offerings, boosting future revenue potential.
Tuya Inc. (NYSE:TUYA) is a Chinese Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) cloud platform provider. It enables businesses and developers to build smart devices and applications across various industries, including home automation, energy management, hospitality, and agriculture. Tuya offers platform-as-a-service (PaaS), software-as-a-service (SaaS), and value-added cloud services, including AI audio/video, cloud storage, and push messaging.
3. Equus Total Return, Inc. (NYSE:EQS)
Year-To-Date Returns: 47.01%
Share Price: $1.72
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: N/A
Equus Total Return, Inc. (NYSE:EQS) is one of the best NYSE penny stocks to invest in now. On August 6, the company announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Morgan E&P, LLC, had engaged Michael Reger through a consulting agreement to lead operations in the Williston Basin. Reger will direct Morgan E&P’s asset strategy across the highly productive Bakken and Three Forks formations located in North Dakota and Montana. His role will focus on optimizing asset value and exploring long-term development opportunities.
Mr. Reger opted to receive compensation in Equus shares instead of cash for his consulting services. Reacting to the agreement, John Hardy, CEO of Morgan E&P, highlighted Mr. Reger’s extensive knowledge of the Williston Basin region. He also pointed to Reger’s “strong industry network” and proven success in upstream oil and gas projects, calling him a key strategic partner. Morgan E&P’s executive team will work closely with Mr. Reger to evaluate, organize, and execute new investment projects in oil and gas, utilizing industry insights and systematic asset development methods.
Equus Total Return, Inc. (NYSE:EQS) is an American business development company (BDC) that operates as a closed-end fund. It invests in alternative assets across energy, financial services, technology, and industrial sectors. Equus’s portfolio includes Morgan E&P, which specializes in upstream exploration and production of oil and gas properties across the U.S.
2. Gray Media, Inc. (NYSE:GTN)
Year-To-Date Returns: 51.04%
Share Price: $4.35
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 28
Gray Media, Inc. (NYSE:GTN) is one of the best NYSE penny stocks to invest in now. On July 31, the company announced an agreement to purchase two television stations from SagamoreHill Broadcasting. The stations are WLTZ, an NBC affiliate in Columbus, Georgia (DMA 127), and KJTV, a FOX affiliate in Lubbock, Texas (DMA 140). The total purchase price for the two stations is “less than $2 million.”
Gray Media already provides back-office services to WLTZ through its ABC affiliate, WTVM, in Columbus, Georgia, and to KJTV through its NBC affiliate, KCBD, in Lubbock, Texas. The company expects to complete the acquisitions in the fourth quarter of 2025, pending regulatory approval from the Federal Communications Commission and other standard closing conditions. Gray stated that it will request waivers of the FCC’s local broadcast ownership rule, which limits owning multiple stations in the same market, under the “failing station” waiver standard, citing the financial struggles of WLTZ and KJTV. This is the same process used for Gray’s earlier 2025 acquisition of KXLT, a FOX affiliate in Rochester, Minnesota, from SagamoreHill.
Gray Media, Inc. (NYSE:GTN) is the largest owner of local television stations in the U.S., operating 113 markets that reach approximately 37% of U.S. television households. The company also owns Gray Digital Media (a digital marketing agency), video production companies (Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, PowerNation Studios), and studio facilities (Assembly Atlanta, Third Rail Studios).
1. FuboTV Inc. (NYSE:FUBO)
Year-To-Date Returns: 154.61%
Share Price: $3.59
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 17
FuboTV Inc. (NYSE:FUBO) is one of the best NYSE penny stocks to invest in now. On August 8, the company announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2025, which exceeded its own guidance for revenue and subscriber numbers. Revenue from the company’s North America segment totaled $371.3 million, down 3% year-over-year but still above expectations. The segment served about 1.36 million paid subscribers, which is a 6.5% decrease from the previous year. In the Rest of World segment, FuboTV posted $8.7 million in revenue and 349,000 paid subscribers. Both metrics surpassed the company’s guidance, though the subscriber count fell 12.5% year-over-year.
Overall, FuboTV reported a net loss of $8 million for the quarter, which is a notable improvement from the $25.8 million loss in Q2 2024. The company achieved its first quarter with positive adjusted EBITDA of $20.7 million. Earnings per share (EPS) was positive at $0.05, beating forecasts of a -$0.05 loss. The company ended the quarter with approximately $285 million in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, providing financial flexibility.
FuboTV emphasized its “sports-first” streaming model, aggregating over 400 live sports, news, and entertainment networks, and highlighted ongoing innovation and expansion efforts. It also stated that it is pursuing a pending business combination with Hulu + Live TV expected to close in late 2025 or early 2026, pending regulatory and shareholder approvals.
FuboTV Inc. (NYSE:FUBO) is a U.S.-based live TV streaming platform that specializes in sports-first content. It offers subscribers access to thousands of live sporting events, along with news, movies, and entertainment programming, across various devices, including smart TVs, mobile phones, tablets, and computers. The company operates in the United States, Canada, France, and Spain.
While we acknowledge the potential of FUBO to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than FUBO and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.
READ NEXT: 11 Best Low-Priced Stocks to Buy Right Now and 11 Best Canadian Gold Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds.
Disclosure: None. Insider Monkey focuses on uncovering the best investment ideas of hedge funds and insiders. Please subscribe to our free daily e-newsletter to get the latest investment ideas from hedge funds’ investor letters by entering your email below.
