In this article, we will look at the 8 Best Rising Penny Stocks to Buy Now.
On April 1, Francis Gannon, Co-Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Royce Investment, released his Q1 2026 small-cap recap report. The report noted that most of the world’s major indices started 2026 on a positive note. However, the positive sentiment was short-lived as the recent geopolitical conflict resulted in increased energy prices internationally. This, on top of sticky inflation, growing unemployment, and the fears of the AI bubble, resulted in all major indexes entering a correction phase.
Gannon noted that despite all the challenges, the Russell 2000 and Russell Microcap Indexes survived Q1 2026 with positive returns. During the quarter, the Russell 2000 gained 0.9%, and the Russell Microcap gained 1.5%, marking the fourth consecutive quarter in which the micro-cap index beat the major domestic large-cap indexes. In comparison, the Russell 1000 Index declined 4.2% while the mega-cap Russell Top 50 Index fell 7.9%. Royce Investment remains confident that the sector can maintain its nascent market leadership.
With that, let’s take a look at the 8 Best Rising Penny Stocks to Buy Now.
Our Methodology
We used screeners to identify stocks trading below the stock price of $5, with one-month returns of over 10%, and limited our final selection to companies that have recently reported noteworthy developments likely to impact investor sentiment. These stocks are also popular among analysts and elite hedge funds.
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 498.7% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 303 percentage points (see more details here).
8 Best Rising Penny Stocks to Buy Now
8. VinFast Auto Ltd. (NASDAQ:VFS)
Price: $4.06
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 5
VinFast Auto Ltd. (NASDAQ:VFS) is one of the Best Rising Penny Stocks to Buy Now. VinFast Auto Ltd. (NASDAQ:VFS) has gained more than 33.87% over the past month, and Wall Street maintains a bullish sentiment on the stock. As of April 11, 3 out of 4 analysts covering the stock had a Buy rating, while 1 maintained a Neutral stance. The analyst’s 12-month average price target reflects more than 43.2% upside from the current level.
Recently, on April 6, the company announced strong delivery figures for Vietnam during March. VinFast Auto Ltd. received more than 135,000 dealer orders for electric scooters from Vietnam and shipped more than 93,000 electric scooters during the month. Among this category, the Evo and Feliz models were found to be the best-selling for the month, with around 52,000 Evo units and over 24,000 Feliz units sold by dealers in March.
Management noted that this represents record growth in its e-scooter business in Vietnam. However, the company also highlighted that the vehicle deliveries might not translate to completed sales or future financial performance, as quarterly results depend on a number of other factors, such as the average selling price and the cost.
VinFast Auto Ltd. is a Vietnamese automotive manufacturer specializing in the design and production of electric vehicles (EVs), including SUVs, e-scooters, and e-bikes. It transitioned to an all-electric lineup in 2022, focusing on global expansion, smart manufacturing, and the development of EV charging infrastructure in markets such as the US and India.
7. Olaplex Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:OLPX)
Price: $2.03
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 14
Olaplex Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:OLPX) is one of the Best Rising Penny Stocks to Buy Now.
On March 30, Analyst Dara Mohsenian of Morgan Stanley maintained a Hold rating on Olaplex Holdings, Inc. and raised the price target from $1.4 to $2. The rating follows the company’s March 26 announcement that it is being acquired by Henkel AG & Co. for $2.06 per share in cash. This values the company at about $1.4 billion in equity, a hefty 55% premium over OLPX’s closing price on March 25 and 45% above its 30-day average price leading up to that date.
Analyst Dara Mohsenian noted that the deal has captured most upside in the current stock price rather than fundamental improvements. The analyst added that the deal offers a substantial premium over the company’s prior trading levels, board approval, and strong backing from majority stakeholder Advent International, making closure highly likely. Mohsenian noted that this reduces chances for competing bids or significant share re-rating beyond the terms.
The transaction is expected to be closed in the second half of 2026 and is subject to regulatory approvals.
Olaplex Holdings Inc., through its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, and sells haircare products in the US and internationally.
6. Precigen, Inc. (NASDAQ:PGEN)
Price: $4.27
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 19
Precigen, Inc. (NASDAQ:PGEN) is one of the Best Rising Penny Stocks to Buy Now.
Wall Street is bullish on Precigen, Inc. after the company posted encouraging fiscal Q4 2025 earnings on March 25. Following the release on April 2, H.C. Wainwright reiterated a Buy rating on the stock with a $10 price target. Earlier on March 26, Citizen JMP had raised the price target on the stock from $8 to $9, while reiterating a Buy rating on the shares.
Precigen, Inc. transitioned from a clinical to commercial stage company in August 2025 with the FDA approval for PAPZIMEOS to treat adults with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP). During the fiscal fourth quarter of 2025, PAPZIMEOS generated $3.4 million in net sales and marked the first partial quarter of US commercial sales.
Management noted that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has assigned a J-code J3404 to the therapy effective April 1, 2026. As a result, the company expects fiscal Q1 2026 revenue for the drug to exceed $18 million.
Precigen, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing next-generation gene and cell therapies, specifically in immuno-oncology, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases.
5. Playtika Holding Corp. (NASDAQ:PLTK)
Price: $3.18
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 22
Playtika Holding Corp. (NASDAQ:PLTK) is one of the Best Rising Penny Stocks to Buy Now.
On April 6, Playtika Holding Corp. announced the formation of a special committee of independent board directors to launch a full review of the company’s portfolio. Management noted that the committee will be exploring strategic alternatives such as selling parts of the business, spinning off assets, mergers, acquisitions, or even a full company sale. The company has retained Morgan Stanley as their financial advisor for the process.
This comes at a time when analysts have a more conservative view on Playtika Holding Corp.. As of April 11, 75% of the 12 analysts covering the stock had a Hold rating. The average 12-month price target of analysts still suggests more than 27% upside from the current level.
The most recent analyst’s rating on the stock is from March 5, when Eric Handler from Roth MKM reiterated a Hold rating and reduced the price target from $4 to $3.
Playtika Holding Corp. is a leading Israeli digital entertainment company that specializes in the development, publication, and operation of free-to-play mobile games. It is known for its portfolio of casual and social casino-themed games, managing popular titles such as Slotomania, Bingo Blitz, and June’s Journey.
4. BlackBerry Limited (NYSE:BB)
Price: $3.82
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 24
BlackBerry Limited (NYSE:BB) is one of the Best Rising Penny Stocks to Buy Now.
On April 9, BlackBerry Limited released its fiscal Q4 2026 earnings. The company posted $156 million in revenue, reflecting 10.09% year-over-year growth and topped expectations by $11.45 million. The EPS of $0.06 also exceeded the consensus by $0.02. Management attributed growth to the QNX segment, which posted a record quarterly revenue of $78.7 million, reflecting more than 20% year-over-year growth. Moreover, the QNX royalty backlog increased to approximately $950 million.
Notably, the company also improved its adjusted EBITDA by 71% year-over-year and GAAP operating income by $30.9 million year-over-year. Looking ahead, management expects fiscal Q1 2027 revenue in the range of $132 million to $140 million, with QNX segment revenue expected to be around $60 million to $64 million.
Following the release, on April 10, Canaccord Genuity reiterated a Hold rating on the stock and lowered the price target from $4.6 to $4.4. Earlier, on April 9, RBC Capital had also maintained a Hold rating on the stock with a price target of $4.5.
BlackBerry Limited is a Canadian provider of intelligent security software and services to both enterprises and government organizations. Incorporated in 1984, the company operates through three segments: Secure Communications, QNX, and Licensing.
3. Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ:PLUG)
Price: $2.74
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 29
Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ:PLUG) is one of the Best Rising Penny Stocks to Buy Now.
On April 9, Susquehanna analyst Charles Minervino raised the firm’s price target on Plug Power Inc. from $2.50 to $2.75, while keeping a Neutral rating on the shares. The firm noted that the increased price target comes as they updated their estimates in the alternative energy group ahead of Q1 2026 earnings.
On the same day, RBC Capital also raised the price target on the stock from $1.50 to $2.75 and maintained a Sector Perform rating on the shares. The firm quoted their talks with the CFO, Paul Middleton, and VP Director IR, Roberto Friedlander, highlighting the company’s path to profitability and growth. These talks resulted in a more optimistic view of the company’s near-term financial targets and the opportunity pipeline. The increased price target is based on multiple expansions of roughly 3.5 times 2026 sales.
Plug Power Inc. develops hydrogen fuel cell product solutions in North America, Europe, Asia, and internationally.
2. JetBlue Airways Corporation (NASDAQ:JBLU)
Price: $4.93
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 34
JetBlue Airways Corporation (NASDAQ:JBLU) is one of the Best Rising Penny Stocks to Buy Now.
On April 2, JetBlue Airways Corporation was maintained with a Hold rating by TD Cowen. However, the firm lowered the price target on the stock from $5 to $4.5. The firm noted that the reduced price target on the stock is part of the company’s Q1 earnings preview of the sector. TD Cowen noted that they find investors to be incrementally more skeptical about the resilience of travel demand as the gas prices remain inflated for a prolonged period. The firm also quoted decelerating credit card data as one of the reasons behind the lowered price targets.
JetBlue Airways Corporation is expected to release its fiscal Q1 2026 earnings on April 21. Wall Street expects revenue around $2.24 billion, flat quarter-over-quarter. The EPS is expected to be around negative $0.69.
JetBlue Airways Corporation is a U.S.-based low-cost airline operating an extensive network across the Americas and Europe.
1. Peloton Interactive, Inc. (NASDAQ:PTON)
Price: $4.74
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 52
Peloton Interactive, Inc. (NASDAQ:PTON) is one of the Best Rising Penny Stocks to Buy Now.
On April 1, Reuters reported that Peloton Interactive, Inc. won a major case after US District Judge Margo Brodie in Brooklyn dismissed a shareholder lawsuit that accused the company of hiding safety and quality‑control problems with its exercise bikes.
The report noted that the case alleged that Peloton knew about rust on seat frames and failing seat posts but told factory workers to cover up corrosion and did not disclose 35 reports of broken seat posts before a May 2023 recall of about 2.2 million original‑model bikes in the US.
However, the judge ruled that investors did not prove Peloton defrauded them, as the court did not find enough evidence that the company’s assurances were false just because recall risks were rising. The judge also said that Peloton cannot be held liable for having initially underestimated the cost of the recall or for not disclosing that 35 isolated complaints would necessarily lead to a recall of every original‑model bike sold between January 2018 and May 2023.
The dismissal removes a significant litigation overhang for shareholders, lowering the near‑term risk of a large class‑action payout and improving the legal backdrop for the equity story.
Peloton Interactive, Inc. is a global fitness technology company offering internet-connected exercise equipment such as bikes, treadmills, rowers, and others, which stream live and on-demand fitness classes through a subscription service.
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