A few years ago, a reputable investment newsletter recommended a pink sheet stock. The writer briefly explained its riskiness for various reasons, including its lack of inclusion in the big leagues of major stock exchanges.

That mention prompted me to learn more about pink sheets, referencing the color of paper the stocks used to be listed on, and penny stocks, referencing a stock price of less than $5.00. I became intrigued with the concept and decided to learn the difference between equities traded on major exchanges and those traded over-the-counter (OTC).

Pink sheets and penny stocks, which are generally traded over the counter, are often touted as nontraditional ways of making lots of money. Just as growth in financial net worth can be a tool for thriving, losing money to worthless and misunderstood investments can thwart the achievement of my goals. So I did some research to determine how to best consider these investments and here’s what I uncovered: