As the overall market trades just 1.5% away from its all-time high and up over 4% on the month, there has been a noticeable increase in risk appetite and speculation in small-cap penny stocks by retail investors. This surge in interest follows the meme mania experienced earlier in the month. However, trading or investing in small-cap stocks has increased risks due to heightened volatility, small floats, low average volumes, and typically weak fundamentals.

Here are three penny stocks that have seen impressive abnormal volume and price surges today:

Smart for Life Inc. 

Smart for Life (NASDAQ: SMFL) acquires, develops, manufactures, operates, markets, and sells nutraceutical and related products in the United States and internationally.

Today, the stock experienced a dramatic surge, trading 25 million shares compared to its average daily volume of just 800k. This increased trading activity propelled the stock price upwards by over 50%. The catalyst for this movement was the company's announcement of completing a comprehensive restructuring plan. The plan included several strategic changes such as recapitalization, selling non-performing assets, selling and leasing back its Doral manufacturing facility, selling 51% of Ceautamed Worldwide, and liquidating its senior debt facility with Diamond Creek Capital.

Despite the positive news, Smart for Life is still down 50% year-to-date and has a history of closing weak after volume surges. The stock’s volatility is amplified by its micro float of under 500k shares, maintaining an overall downtrend on a higher timeframe.

Momentus Inc. 

Momentus (NASDAQ: MNTS) and its subsidiaries operate as a commercial space company, providing in-space transportation services.

The stock saw a significant increase in trading volume, with over 40 million shares traded today, far exceeding its average daily volume of 178k. This surge resulted in the stock price rising by over 11%. The driving force behind this increase was the announcement that Momentus secured a contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). This contract aims to support the design and in-space demonstration of technologies that will enable the construction of large-scale structures in space.

However, it's important to note that the stock has been in a significant downtrend, down over 60% year-to-date and nearly 90% on the year. The stock's small float of just 16 million shares contributes to its price volatility, making it a high-risk investment.

Sharps Technology, Inc. 

Sharps Technology (NASDAQ: STSS) is a medical device company that researches, designs, develops, manufactures, distributes, and sells safety syringe products.

The stock broke its major downtrend this week and experienced a notable surge in volume, trading over 90 million shares today, compared to its average volume of 17 million shares. This activity pushed the stock up by almost 20% today and over 100% on the week. The recent surge was driven by the company's announcement of a 5-year, $200 million syringe sales agreement and an amendment to an asset purchase agreement to begin producing pre-fillable specialty copolymer syringes in the U.S.

Like the stocks mentioned above, even considering today's impressive surge, the stock remains well below its 52-week high, down almost 50% from that level. Investors should be cautious, as the company, like other small-cap stocks, might look to dilute shares to raise much-needed operational capital. This potential for share dilution is a significant risk to consider.

The Bottom Line

The broader market's momentum and impressive staying power, as well as the resurgence of risk appetite among retail investors, have led to significant interest in small-cap penny stocks. However, while many of these stocks have shown impressive volume and price surges, they come with substantial risks. It's crucial for investors to exercise caution and consider the potential for high volatility and the likelihood of share dilution when investing in these stocks. Being informed, conducting thorough due diligence, and being prepared is key to navigating penny stocks' unpredictable and uncertain world.