Four penny stocks ran 25% or more on Friday on real news: PDS Biotechnology jumped 35%, Quantum-Si 25%, Nautilus Biotechnology 24%, and QTREX Quantum added 11% on a day it also received a Nasdaq notice. Add a $86.6 million financing at ADC Therapeutics and a handful of sub-$2 names with big volume, and you have the penny stocks to watch tomorrow, Monday, October 12. All ten trade under $3, most are micro caps, and several are extended after huge runs.
Penny Stocks to Watch Tomorrow: Friday’s Market Snapshot
| Metric | Friday Close / Reading |
|---|---|
| S&P 500 | 7,811.54 (+0.59%); +1.2% on the week |
| Dow Jones Industrial Average | 51,654.95 (+0.83%) |
| Nasdaq Composite | 27,366.17 (+0.64%) |
| Russell 2000 | 2,806.98 (+0.46%); -0.9% on the week |
| 10-Year Treasury Yield | 5.24% |
| VIX | 14.84 |
| WTI Crude | $91.62 |
U.S. stocks closed a record-setting week even as the Russell 2000 lost 0.9% over five days. Monday is a bank and bond-market holiday, but stocks trade, and September CPI lands Wednesday.
Data note: Closes are Friday, October 9 figures where a source published one (StockAnalysis, Yahoo Finance, Morningstar). Where we could not confirm Friday’s close, the table says which date and print we used. Derived figures are labeled. Support and resistance levels are analytical zones, not guaranteed targets. Penny stocks are highly speculative.
1. PDS Biotechnology (PDSB) | Last Close $1.38 (+35.29%) | Up 84% in October
From $0.70 to $1.40: The Oncology Name That Keeps Reloading
PDSB closed at $1.38, up 35.29% from $1.02, trading between $1.00 and $1.40. The stock is up about 84% this month and 79% year to date.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Last Close | $1.38 (Oct 9); after-hours ~$1.29 |
| Previous Close | $1.02 (Oct 8) |
| Day’s Move | +35.29% |
| Day’s Range | $1.00 – $1.40 |
| 52-Week Range | Low $0.20; high about $1.54 |
| Market Cap | Roughly $77M–$100M (sources vary) |
| P/E / Dividend | N/A (2026 EPS estimate -$0.49) / None |
| Volume vs. Average | ~16.1M on Oct 9; average not confirmed (~21M earlier) |
| YTD / October | +79% / about +84% |
| Short Interest | ~14.2% of float (earlier data) |
| Analyst View | H.C. Wainwright cut its target to $7 from $15 in August; average target about $4.75 |
| Support 1 / 2 / 3 | $1.20 / $1.05 / $1.00 |
| Resistance 1 / 2 / 3 | $1.40 / ~$1.54 / ~$2.00 |
Catalyst & Latest News: Benzinga reports a $22.3 million PIPE led by Nant Capital, with $11.3 million in the first tranche at roughly $0.28 per unit. A second tranche of about $11 million depends on filing a Phase 3 protocol for PDS0301 in colorectal cancer. We could not pin a single trigger for Friday’s jump.
Technicals: Timothy Sykes’ weekly read calls $1.05 the key support and $1.50 near-term resistance. The stock gapped from $1.02 to $1.38 on the day.
Fundamentals: Clinical-stage with negative equity. The first PIPE tranche was priced far below today’s price, which creates dilution and warrant overhang.
Bull Case: Fresh funding, a registrational path and heavy momentum. Bear Case: A 5x move off the PIPE price, thin cash discipline and a second-tranche milestone still to hit.
What to Watch:
- A hold above $1.20
- A break over $1.54
- PDS0301 Phase 3 protocol news
Forecast: Holding $1.20 keeps $1.54 in play. A close under $1.05 would unwind most of Friday.
Why This Matters: PDSB is the week’s top penny-stock mover, and also the clearest dilution-risk case.
2. Quantum-Si (QSI) | Last Close $1.53 (+25.4%) | 19 of 20 Amino Acids
A Protein-Sequencing Milestone Lifts a $335 Million Micro Cap on 41 Million Shares
Quantum-Si said Proteus can now detect 19 of the 20 amino acids, and the stock rose from a $1.22 prior close.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Last Close | $1.53 (Oct 9) |
| Previous Close | $1.22 (Oct 8) |
| Day’s Move | +25.41% (morning high near $1.595) |
| Day’s Range | Not confirmed |
| 52-Week Range | Not confirmed (traded near $0.72–$0.84 for weeks before the run) |
| Market Cap | ~$335M |
| P/E / Dividend | N/A / None |
| Volume vs. Average | ~40.9M vs. ~2.9M 100-day average (~14x) |
| Analyst View | H.C. Wainwright Buy, $4.00 (about +161%) |
| Support 1 / 2 / 3 | $1.22 / $1.07 / $1.00 |
| Resistance 1 / 2 / 3 | ~$1.60 / ~$1.80 / ~$2.00 |
Catalyst & Latest News: Management expects to detect all 20 amino acids by the end of 2026, with Proteus targeting commercial launch in the second quarter of 2027. The stock’s earlier September run came on interim Proteus data.
Technicals: QSI moved from the mid-$0.70s to $1.53 in about three weeks, reclaiming the $1.00 Nasdaq compliance line.
Fundamentals: Quarterly revenue was just $344,000 against a net loss of $23.5 million, with about $111.7 million in cash and a current ratio near 10. Management targets cash generation in 2027.
Bull Case: Technical milestones, a long cash runway and a $4 target. Bear Case: Almost no revenue, a launch still seven months away and a 100%-plus run.
What to Watch:
- A hold above $1.22
- A close over $1.60
- 20-amino-acid detection news
Forecast: A break above $1.60 targets $1.80–$2.00. Under $1.22, the gap fills toward $1.07.
Why This Matters: QSI has the strongest balance sheet among the sub-$2 movers, which makes pullbacks more buyable than most.
3. QTREX Quantum (QTEX) | Last Close $1.87 (+10.65%) | A Nasdaq Notice Meets a Six-Day Streak Above $1
Compliance Clock Through April 3, 2027, While Shares Run to a New High for the Month
QTEX closed at $1.87, up $0.18, the day it disclosed a Nasdaq minimum-bid notice. Shares have closed above $1.00 for six straight sessions.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Last Close | $1.87 (Oct 9); after-hours $1.80 (-3.7%) |
| Previous Close | $1.69 (Oct 8) |
| Day’s Move | +10.65% (+$0.18) |
| Day’s Range | Not confirmed |
| 52-Week Range | Not confirmed (September base near $0.68–$0.90) |
| Market Cap | Roughly $125M (derived from ~67M shares) |
| P/E / Dividend | N/A / None |
| Volume vs. Average | Oct 5: 122M vs. ~6.3M average; Oct 9 not confirmed |
| Week / Month | About +115% in the week to Oct 8 |
| Analyst View | No Wall Street targets located |
| Support 1 / 2 / 3 | $1.69 / $1.54 / $1.00 |
| Resistance 1 / 2 / 3 | ~$1.97 / $2.00 / ~$2.50 |
Catalyst & Latest News: The company is finalizing a binding agreement with an unnamed quantum customer, with more quantum deals expected in the fourth quarter. Under Nasdaq’s rule, ten consecutive closes at or above $1 within 180 days cures the notice.
Technicals: Four straight higher closes from $1.54 on October 5. The $1.54 and $1.69 closes are the first supports.
Fundamentals: Record first-half revenue was $1.55 million. The company priced a $10 million registered direct offering about a month ago, and the shares fell 16% on that news.
Bull Case: A signed deal could validate the technology, and the Nasdaq cure is nearly under way. Bear Case: A history of equity raises and a headline-dependent valuation.
What to Watch:
- The binding-agreement announcement
- A hold above $1.69
- Any new offering
Forecast: A confirmed deal could push through $2.00. A close under $1.54 points to $1.00.
Why This Matters: QTEX is the best-known headline trade on the list, with an offering risk that has already shown up once.
4. Nautilus Biotechnology (NAUT) | Last Close $2.25 (+23.6%) | A $286 Million Proteomics Name Doubles in October
Two Buy Initiations, a Nature Methods Paper and a 20 Million Share Day
NAUT closed at $2.25, up 23.63% from $1.82, after trading between $1.85 and $2.46. It is up 58% this month.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Last Close | $2.25 (Oct 9) |
| Previous Close | $1.82 (Oct 8) |
| Day’s Move | +23.63% |
| Day’s Range | $1.85 – $2.46 |
| 52-Week Range | $0.82 – $4.31 |
| Market Cap | ~$286M |
| P/E / Dividend | N/A (EPS -$0.45) / None |
| Volume vs. Average | ~20M vs. ~3M (~6.7x) |
| YTD / October | +15% / +58% |
| Analyst View | Roth Buy, $3.50; Leerink Outperform, $4.00 |
| Support 1 / 2 / 3 | $1.85 / $1.82 / $1.40 |
| Resistance 1 / 2 / 3 | $2.46 / ~$2.48 / ~$3.50 |
| Next Earnings | Estimated October 27 |
Catalyst & Latest News: We found no single headline for Friday. Earlier this month the stock rose on analyst initiations and a peer-reviewed Nature Methods paper validating its Voyager platform, with a roadmap of about 20 proteoform assays by mid-2028. Friday’s move followed Quantum-Si’s protein-sequencing news, suggesting a sympathy bid.
Technicals: The stock opened the month near $1.00 and has not closed a day under $1.38 since. Friday’s high of $2.46 is the immediate ceiling.
Fundamentals: About $84 million in cash and short-term investments, with roughly $23.8 million in long-term debt. A management comment said dilution could follow good news, per a Stocktwits user.
Bull Case: Two Buy ratings, a strong balance sheet and a clean breakout. Bear Case: A possible raise, a 120%-plus run in weeks and a sympathy-driven day.
What to Watch:
- A hold above $1.85
- A close over $2.46
- The October 27 report
Forecast: Holding $1.85 keeps $2.46 and then $2.80+ in range. Under $1.82, the gap fully fills.
Why This Matters: NAUT is the cleanest “sector sympathy plus analyst support” setup on the list.
5. ADC Therapeutics (ADCT) | Last Verified $1.59 (Oct 8 Board) | $86.6 Million PIPE Extends Cash to 2029
A Restructuring, 48 Million Pre-Funded Warrants and a $65 Million Sales Covenant
ADC Therapeutics announced an $86.6 million private placement on October 8, with shares trading near $1.52 that morning.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Last Verified Price | $1.59 (weekly board, updated Oct 8); Oct 9 close not confirmed |
| Previous Close | ~$1.42 (Oct 7 close, derived from PIPE pricing) |
| Day’s Move | Roughly +8% to +12% on Oct 8 |
| Day’s Range | Not confirmed |
| 52-Week Range | $0.78 – $4.98 |
| Market Cap | ~$175M–$203M |
| P/E / Dividend | N/A / None |
| Volume vs. Average | Not confirmed |
| Weekly Move | About +47% (to Oct 8) |
| Analyst View | Earlier 1-year target near $3.33 |
| Support 1 / 2 / 3 | ~$1.42 / ~$1.32 / ~$1.00 |
| Resistance 1 / 2 / 3 | ~$1.80 / ~$2.00 / ~$2.50 |
Catalyst & Latest News: The PIPE sold 12.9 million shares at $1.42 plus 48.1 million pre-funded warrants at $1.32, with pro forma cash near $196 million and preliminary Q3 Zynlonta revenue of about $21.0 million. A Zynlonta sales covenant of $65 million per quarter starts with the December quarter.
Technicals: The stock broke out of a $1.27–$1.38 range once the financing cleared the going-concern overhang. The PIPE price of $1.42 is the first support.
Fundamentals: A Seeking Alpha analyst rates it Hold, citing safety questions after mixed LOTIS-5 data, with ASH presentations a next catalyst.
Bull Case: Funding through 2029 and simplified debt. Bear Case: Zynlonta is the only commercial asset, with safety and sales-covenant risk.
What to Watch:
- A hold above $1.42
- Zynlonta quarterly sales versus the covenant
- ASH data in December
Forecast: Holding the PIPE price keeps $1.80 reachable. A close under $1.32 would test $1.00.
Why This Matters: ADCT is the “financing fixed the balance sheet, not the business” case.
6. Zhengye Biotechnology (ZYBT) | Last Close $1.73 (+50.4%) | A Chinese Vaccine Maker Doubles Its Week
31 Million Shares, No Headline and a 74% Drop Since Its 2025 Debut
ZYBT closed at $1.73, up 50.43%, on about 30.6 million shares versus a 3.8 million average.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Last Close | $1.73 (Oct 9) |
| Previous Close | ~$1.15 (Oct 8; derived) |
| Day’s Move | +50.43% |
| Day’s Range | Not confirmed |
| 52-Week Range | About $0.62 – $9.77 |
| Market Cap | Roughly $52M–$82M (sources vary) |
| P/E / Dividend | About -8.8x (EPS -$0.21) / None |
| Volume vs. Average | ~30.6M vs. ~3.8M (~8x) |
| Trend | About -74% since its January 2025 debut |
| Analyst View | No coverage located |
| Support 1 / 2 / 3 | ~$1.15 / ~$1.04 / ~$0.65 |
| Resistance 1 / 2 / 3 | ~$1.88 / ~$2.00 / ~$2.46 |
Catalyst & Latest News: We found no company-specific news. The company makes veterinary vaccines, mainly for livestock in China, and the move coincided with a vaccine-sector bid led by Moderna and Novavax.
Technicals: A July low near $0.65 preceded a recovery to the $1.00–$1.40 range, then Friday’s spike.
Fundamentals: Cash was about 50.3 million yuan at last report. Revenue and earnings data were not confirmed.
Bull Case: A low-priced vaccine name riding a hot sector. Bear Case: No catalyst, thin coverage and a stock that has fallen 74% since listing.
What to Watch:
- A hold above $1.15
- Any company announcement
- Volume fade on Monday
Forecast: Spikes on no news tend to retrace. A fade toward $1.15 is the base case.
Why This Matters: ZYBT shows how sector headlines can lift tiny foreign micro caps with no news of their own.
7. Alector (ALEC) | Last Verified Close $1.92 (+6.08%) | Roche’s $1.27 Billion Parkinson’s Deal
The Best-Funded Name on the List, Pulled Back From a 70% Spike
Genentech agreed to pay Alector $100 million upfront and up to $1.17 billion in milestones for AL050.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Last Verified Close | $1.92 (Oct 7); Oct 8–9 closes not confirmed |
| Previous Close | $1.81 (Oct 6) |
| Day’s Move | +6.08% (Oct 7) |
| Day’s Range | ~$1.73 – $1.91 (intraday, Oct 7) |
| 52-Week Range | $1.09 – $3.40 |
| Market Cap | Roughly $180M–$220M |
| P/E / Dividend | N/A / None |
| Volume vs. Average | Oct 7 intraday ~2.8M vs. ~10.8M average |
| Analyst View | Hold (7 analysts); average target $3.30 |
| Support 1 / 2 / 3 | $1.81 / $1.73 / $1.09 |
| Resistance 1 / 2 / 3 | ~$2.24 / ~$2.81 / $3.40 |
Catalyst & Latest News: Investing.com notes the deal extends the cash runway and validates its blood-brain-barrier platform. The stock spiked on October 5 and gave back most of it within two sessions.
Technicals: $1.81 is the line to hold. The October 5 close near $2.24 is the first resistance.
Fundamentals: Cash and investments were near $206.5 million before the upfront payment.
Bull Case: Big-pharma validation and a longer runway. Bear Case: A Hold consensus and a faded spike.
What to Watch:
- A hold above $1.81
- A reclaim of $2.24
- Target changes after the deal
Forecast: Holding $1.81 keeps $2.24 in play. Under $1.73, $1.09 is next.
Why This Matters: ALEC is the fundamental anchor for a list full of momentum names.
8. Evolution Metals & Technologies (EMAT) | Last Print $1.94 (+13.8%) | Guidance Raised 62%
A $10 Million 2026 Base and a $400–$460 Million 2027 Outlook
EMAT raised fiscal 2026 revenue guidance to $10–$11 million from $5–$8 million.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Last Verified Price | $1.94 (Oct 9 morning; close not confirmed) |
| Previous Close | ~$1.70 (Oct 8; derived) |
| Day’s Move | +13.8% |
| Day’s Range | Not confirmed |
| 52-Week Range | Not confirmed |
| Market Cap | Not confirmed |
| P/E / Dividend | N/A / None |
| Volume vs. Average | Not confirmed |
| Analyst View | No coverage located |
| Support 1 / 2 / 3 | ~$1.70 / ~$1.50 / ~$1.25 |
| Resistance 1 / 2 / 3 | ~$2.00 / ~$2.50 / ~$3.00 |
Catalyst & Latest News: Thirteen ULVAC magnet machines are due in October at its Pohang, Korea site, taking capacity above 10,000 metric tons a year.
Technicals: A headline gap into the $2.00 psychological line.
Fundamentals: First-half revenue was $3.5 million, and guidance rests on anticipated demand rather than contracts.
Bull Case: A rare-earth supply story outside China. Bear Case: A 41x jump from 2026 to 2027 guidance rests on uncontracted demand.
What to Watch:
- A close above $2.00
- ULVAC installation news
- Customer contracts
Forecast: A close over $2.00 targets $2.50. Under $1.70, the pop is erased.
Why This Matters: EMAT is a speculative rare-earths bet where shipments decide the stock.
9. Solesence (SLSN) | Last Close $1.02 (+22%) | A Thinly Traded Skin-Care Ingredient Maker Wakes Up
$64.9 Million of Orders and a $35 Million Second-Half Target on 176,000 Shares
Solesence closed at $1.02, up about 22%, on only about 177,000 shares.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Last Close | $1.02 (Oct 9) |
| Previous Close | ~$0.84 (Oct 8; derived) |
| Day’s Move | +21.98% |
| Day’s Range | Not confirmed |
| 52-Week Range | Not confirmed |
| Market Cap | ~$72M |
| P/E / Dividend | N/A (breakeven Q2) / None |
| Volume vs. Average | ~177K (thin; earlier average ~33K–177K) |
| Analyst View | No coverage located |
| Support 1 / 2 / 3 | ~$0.84 / ~$0.75 / ~$0.60 |
| Resistance 1 / 2 / 3 | ~$1.15 / ~$1.39 / ~$1.47 |
Catalyst & Latest News: We found no news for Friday. Zacks reports shipped and on-hand orders expected to ship in 2026 total $64.9 million, and management projects about $35 million of second-half revenue.
Technicals: Earlier 2026 resistance sat at $1.39 and $1.47, which are the higher references.
Fundamentals: Q2 earnings were breakeven, and cash was only about $1 million at June 30, a thin cushion.
Bull Case: A strong order book and a potentially record second half. Bear Case: Minimal cash, thin liquidity and a move on no news.
What to Watch:
- Volume follow-through
- A hold above $0.84
- The Q3 report
Forecast: Holding the gap targets $1.15. A fade under $0.84 erases the move.
Why This Matters: SLSN is a low-float name where a small volume change can move the price.
10. Netcapital (NCPL) | Last Close $1.14 | After-Hours Jump of 19% to $1.36
Down From $1.59 in Two Days, Then a Late Bounce
Netcapital closed Friday at $1.14, then rose about 19% after hours to $1.36, per StockAnalysis. It had closed at $1.59 on Wednesday.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Last Close | $1.14 (Oct 9); after-hours $1.36 (+19.3%) |
| Previous Close | ~$1.14 (Oct 9 close is the base for after-hours) |
| Wednesday Close | $1.59 (Oct 7, +45.9%) |
| Day’s Range | Not confirmed |
| 52-Week Range | About $0.31 – $8.75 |
| Market Cap | ~$9M |
| P/E / Dividend | Negative / None |
| Volume vs. Average | Not confirmed |
| Analyst View | No coverage located |
| Support 1 / 2 / 3 | ~$1.09 / $1.00 / ~$0.85 |
| Resistance 1 / 2 / 3 | ~$1.36 / ~$1.59 / ~$1.79 |
Catalyst & Latest News: We found no confirmed news for the after-hours move. Quiver Quantitative noted that Nasdaq extended its $1.00 bid-price cure period to February 1, 2027, and that convertible notes have been amended.
Technicals: $1.00 is the compliance line. Standard Nasdaq cures need ten straight closes at or above it.
Fundamentals: The company has a new CEO and an SEC civil complaint it has publicly addressed.
Bull Case: Reclaiming $1 matters for its listing, and the after-hours bid shows demand. Bear Case: Convertible-note dilution, regulatory overhang and no confirmed catalyst.
What to Watch:
- A hold above $1.00
- Any note conversions
- Whether the after-hours price carries into Monday
Forecast: A hold of the after-hours level targets $1.59. Under $1.00, the rally reverses.
Why This Matters: NCPL is a listing-risk trade where $1.00 is the whole story.
Penny Stocks Sector Snapshot and Forecast: Proteomics, Vaccines and Financing Fixes
Proteomics (QSI, NAUT) and vaccine sympathy plays (ZYBT) led Friday, while PDSB, ADCT and QTEX show how financing events drive micro-cap charts. The Russell 2000’s 0.9% weekly loss and a 5.24% 10-year yield argue for tight stops, and Wednesday’s CPI is the next macro test. For earlier small-cap setups, our Capricor Therapeutics forecast, and our top trending stocks from October 9. Sector forecast: Expect sympathy names (NAUT, ZYBT) to fade faster than catalyst names (PDSB, QSI, QTEX) if the vaccine and proteomics bid cools.
Penny Stocks Under $3 At a Glance
| # | Ticker | Last Close / Print | Move | Market Cap | Catalyst | Support | Resistance | Bias |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PDSB | $1.38 | +35.29% | ~$77–100M | PIPE, PDS0301 | $1.20 | $1.40 | Extended |
| 2 | QSI | $1.53 | +25.4% | ~$335M | 19 amino acids | $1.22 | ~$1.60 | Constructive |
| 3 | QTEX | $1.87 | +10.65% | ~$125M | Deal expected; Nasdaq notice | $1.69 | ~$1.97 | Headline-driven |
| 4 | NAUT | $2.25 | +23.6% | ~$286M | Buy initiations, sympathy | $1.85 | $2.46 | Extended |
| 5 | ADCT | $1.59 (Oct 8) | ~+8–12% | ~$175–203M | $86.6M PIPE | ~$1.42 | ~$1.80 | Financing fix |
| 6 | ZYBT | $1.73 | +50.4% | ~$52–82M | No news | ~$1.15 | ~$1.88 | Fade risk |
| 7 | ALEC | $1.92 (Oct 7) | +6.08% | ~$180–220M | Roche $1.27B deal | $1.81 | ~$2.24 | Hold support |
| 8 | EMAT | $1.94 (AM) | +13.8% | n/c | Guidance +62% | ~$1.70 | ~$2.00 | Speculative |
| 9 | SLSN | $1.02 | +22% | ~$72M | No news | ~$0.84 | ~$1.15 | Thin liquidity |
| 10 | NCPL | $1.14 (AH $1.36) | AH +19% | ~$9M | No news | ~$1.09 | ~$1.36 | Listing risk |
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Disclaimer: This publication is entirely for informational and journalistic purposes and does not constitute formal financial, investment, or legal advice. All market investments carry inherent risks of capital loss, and penny stocks and micro-cap names carry elevated risk, including extreme volatility, thin liquidity, dilution and delisting risk. Stock prices, percentage moves, and market data cited reflect figures available at the time of publication and are subject to change as trading continues. Analyst price targets and ratings are third-party estimates and do not guarantee actual results. Always complete independent due diligence prior to executing equity trades.
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