To The Moon

By Aima Zaheer

In this article, we discuss the 5 multibagger penny stocks to buy in 2022.

In 2021, trading in over-the-counter stockscrossedthe $552 billion level, significantly higher than the overall volume in 2020.

An increase in retail investing due to the pandemic boredom could be credited as the reason for an increase in penny stock trading during the last two years. Around10%of Russell 3000’s trading volume came from retail investors during the first half of 2021. The contribution peaked in September at 15%. According to research by Morgan Stanley, stocks that had strong retail participation reported better performances in comparison to stocks with low retail participation between July 2016 to June 2021.

Exponential Returns

Previously, penny stocks have generated historic gains, as was the case with AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. Trading in the penny stock range for a while, AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. gained the status of a meme stock through social media platforms in 2021. AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. stock went on to record a 12-month gain of 590% in 2021. Just like AMC, Cassava Sciences, Inc. SAVA posted a 12-month gain of 3043% last year.

However, such activity also makes these stocks susceptible to actions from the regulatory authorities. SpectraScience Inc shares doubled in price on Jan 27, 2021, after the company recorded trade of over 900 million shares. The stock price recorded an increase of around 500% before crashing shortly.Stating“potentially manipulative trading,” the SEC suspended SpectraScience Inc trading until further notice. By February 2021, around 24 such stocks were sidelined by SEC for unusual trading activity.

While big-cap firms like Microsoft Corporation, Alphabet Inc., and Meta Platforms, Inc. META appear to be safer investment options, penny stocks offer an opportunity to earn exponential returns during times of high inflation.

5. Wrap Technologies, Inc. ($Wrap Technologies Inc.(WRAP)$ )

Wrap Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:WRAP) is a Tempe, Arizona-based provider of public safety technologies and services to law enforcement agencies and security personnel.

Wrap Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:WRAP) has developed a patented hand-held remote restraint device known as BolaWrap. The device has received endorsement from the National De-escalation Training Center (NDTC). Wrap Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:WRAP) also has a virtual reality-based training solution for law enforcement agencies through the Wrap Reality division.

On July 6, the company sold a reentry and rehabilitation software solution to a correction agency in Ohio. Wrap Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:WRAP) generated a revenue of $1.59 million in Q1 2022 with a gross profit margin of over 41%. To boost sales, the company has brought on ex-IBM and GoPro veteran Carlos Casas as Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

In a research note issued to investors on March 11, Jon Hickman at Ladenburg Thalmann gave Wrap Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:WRAP) stock a target price of $5.25 with a Buy rating, reflecting a potential upside of over 150%.

As of Q1 2022, 2 hedge funds held a stake in Wrap Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:WRAP).

4. Selecta Biosciences, Inc. ($Selecta Biosciences(SELB)$ )

Selecta Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:SELB) is a Watertown, Massachusetts-based clinical-stage biotech company focused on treating diseases by developing therapies using its proprietary immune tolerance (ImmTOR) platform.

On June 21, Raghuram Selvaraju at H.C Wainwright gave Selecta Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:SELB) stock a target price of $4 with a Buy rating, reflecting a potential upside of over 120%. The analyst shared that he welcomed the company’s partnership with Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:SRPT) to commercialize the ImmTOR platform for use in multiple muscle dystrophy ailments. Selecta Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:SELB) will receive a payment of $2 million due to this partnership. Furthermore, the company will be eligible to receive another payment of $4 million if it achieves certain preclinical milestones set by Sarepta. The partnership is positive for Selecta Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:SELB), as Sarepta is focused on developing genetic medicines and has prior experience in developing and commercializing products in this segment.

Overall, 10 hedge funds reported owning a stake in Selecta Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:SELB) as of Q1 2022. The cumulative value of the stake was over $13 million.

3. Smith Micro Software, Inc. ($Smith Micro(SMSI)$ )

Smith Micro Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:SMSI) is a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based provider of white-labeled solutions for device OEMs and chipset manufacturers.

The software offered by Smith Micro Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:SMSI) works on smartphones and Internet of Things (IoT) devices and aids in protecting the digital lifestyle of individuals. The company has acquired assets from software giants like Avast. Smith Micro Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:SMSI) has a strong connection with network operators. As a result, it has over 100 million devices globally that are using its applications. Smith Micro Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:SMSI) stock is a play on the IoT sector, which is expected to compound annually by 15.9% to surpass the $204 billion level by 2027.

Eric Martinuzzi at Lake Street reiterated a Buy rating on Smith Micro Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:SMSI) stock with a price target of $6 in a note issued on March 11. The target price provides a potential upside of over 146% from the closing price as of July 13. Martinuzzi has a positive outlook on the growth potential of Smith Micro Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:SMSI) and anticipates a ramp-up in revenue.

2. Red Cat Holdings, Inc. ($Red Cat Holdings Inc.(RCAT)$ )

Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:RCAT) is a San Juan, Puerto Rico-based provider of products, services, and solutions to the drone industry. The company went public in April 2021. It provides First Person View (FPV) goggles to the drone industry and the retail consumer through a marketplace.

Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:RCAT) is in the middle of developing a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform that aims to provide drone flight data analytics and storage. One of the company’s subsidiaries, Teal Drones, has been able to secure an order for 15 Golden Eagle drone units along with associated training and services by a member country of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The member country intends to deploy these units in Ukraine. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has provided Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:RCAT) with an opportunity to scale operations as countries are looking for reconnaissance and surveillance equipment for the front line.

1. Exela Technologies, Inc. ($Exela Technologies, Inc.(XELA)$ )

Exela Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:XELA) is an Irving, Texas-based business process automation (BPA) corporation that provides industry-specific and multi-industry enterprise software and solutions.

The company has 4,000 customers spread across 50 countries and employs more than 17,500 employees across 23 countries. On June 28, Exela Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:XELA) announced a contract with the French National Insurance Fund, L’Assurance Maladie Caisse Nationale (Cnam). The current value of the four-year contract stands at $2.5 million; however, it has the potential to rise to $4.5 million during this period. Exela Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:XELA) has a diversified market exposure. During FY21, solutions provided to the banking sector contributed 27% to the total revenue, followed by the healthcare and insurance sector at 23% and 10%, respectively.

While Exela Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:XELA) is not as popular amongst the hedge funds as firms like Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG), and Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META), the stock was still held by 7 hedge funds as of Q1 2022.