Penny stocks are popular among speculative traders looking for high potential returns due to the significant price volatility they can exhibit. These stocks are typically associated with emerging or undercapitalized companies and can offer the opportunity for substantial price movements. However, the very nature of penny stocks—low liquidity, high volatility, and lack of transparency—also makes them highly risky. They are often subject to manipulation, such as pump-and-dump schemes, where the stock is artificially inflated and then quickly sold off.