Coronavirus Fears Spark The Heaviest Trading Month In Over A Year On OTC Markets

The spread of the coronavirus and its impact on the global economy drove a significant uptick in trading volume on OTC Markets, according to data from OTC Markets Group.
With investors concerned about the implications of a global pandemic, over $31 billion worth of shares traded on OTC Markets in February, a 63% increase from January. That made February the most heavily traded month for over-the-counter securities since January 2019.
The most-traded securities on the OTCQX Best Market—the top tier of OTC Markets— were the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (OTCQX:GBTC) and Roche Holding (OTCQX:RHHBY), which saw nearly $2.5 million worth of shares traded between them.
An increase in cryptocurrency volume seemed to be a theme during the month. GBTC’s volume rose 38% in February, while the Grayscale Ethereum Classic Trust (OTCQX:ETCG) and Grayscale Ethereum Trust (OTCQX:ETHE) saw their volume increase 145% and 621% respectively. Computer Services, Inc. (OTCQX:CSVI) (up 236%), Royal DSM NV (OTCQX:RDSMY) (up 143%) and AXA (OTCQX:AXAHY) (up 127%) also saw significant volume gains in February.
On the OTCQB Venture Market, three securities that saw the biggest month-over-month volume gains were TOMI Environmental Solutions, Inc. (OTCQB:TOMZ), Franchise Holdings International, Inc. (OTCQB:FNHI), and Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. (OTCQB:HOSS).
To date, Fannie Mae (OTCQB:FNMA), Freddie Mac (OTCQB:FMCC), and CytoDyn (OTCQB:CYDY) are the most active securities on the market, both surpassing $100 million in volume this year.
Below is a list of the 10 most active securities on the OTCQX and OTCQB Markets in February.
OTCQX
Company Name |
Symbol |
Country |
February Dollar Volume |
Grayscale Bitcoin Trust |
U.S. |
$1,253,442,996 |
|
Roche Holding Ltd |
Switzerland |
$1,220,304,783 |
|
Royal DSM NV |
The Netherlands |
$200,525,555 |
|
AXA |
France |
$190,315,804 |
|
Imperial Brands PLC |
United Kingdom |
$188,853,485 |
|
Repsol S.A. |
Spain |
$166,393,715 |
|
Danone |
France |
$164,683,768 |
|
adidas AG |
Germany |
$160,082,856 |
|
BASF SE |
Germany |
$141,587,375 |
|
Grayscale Ethereum Trust |
U.S. |
$132,864,744 |
OTCQB
Company Name |
Symbol |
Country |
February Dollar Volume |
Fannie Mae |
U.S. |
$296,439,281 |
|
Freddie Mac |
U.S. |
$122,662,391 |
|
CytoDyn Inc. |
U.S. |
$106,742,180 |
|
TOMI Environmental Solutions, Inc. |
U.S. |
$20,981,597 |
|
Semler Scientific, Inc. |
U.S. |
$18,553,479 |
|
Generex Biotechnology Corp. |
U.S. |
$15,194,012 |
|
American Battery Metals Corporation |
U.S. |
$14,136,142 |
|
Nextech AR Solutions Corp. |
Canada |
$12,253,503 |
|
Q BioMed Inc. |
U.S. |
$12,190,587 |
|
Biotricity Inc. |
U.S. |
$8,883,442 |
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