Top-Performing Companies on OTCQX Markets: 2021 Best 50 Ranking Unveiled

The OTCQX marketplace has released its highly anticipated ranking of the year’s strongest performers, highlighting 50 companies that demonstrated exceptional growth during 2020. These selected enterprises maintained their trading presence throughout the year while meeting rigorous market standards for transparency and shareholder communication.

Market Performance and Key Metrics

Companies recognized in this year’s ranking accumulated over $30.7 billion in collective trading volume throughout 2020. More impressively, the group delivered an average total return of 235% to investors—a remarkable achievement that underscores the platform’s role in facilitating investment in dynamic businesses.

The ranking was calculated using an equal weighting methodology combining one-year total return performance with average daily dollar volume growth. This dual-factor approach ensures that selected companies represent both strong financial performance and robust market liquidity.

Standout Winners and Sector Diversity

AcuityAds Holdings Inc. topped the 2021 OTCQX Best 50 ranking as the year’s strongest performer. The Canadian technology company, which maintains its primary listing on the TSX Venture Exchange, represents the international dimension of OTCQX trading activity and demonstrates how the platform serves as a bridge for global capital.

The sector composition of this year’s top performers reveals significant diversification. Beyond traditional industries like resources and financial services, the ranking includes companies operating in cryptocurrency infrastructure, gaming, cannabis, and advanced materials production. Two community banks—PB Financial Corporation and Peoples Financial Corp.—secured positions among the elite 50, reflecting the platform’s appeal across varied business segments.

Repeat Performers and Emerging Leaders

Six companies that appeared on last year’s best performers list maintained their elite status in 2020, while K92 Mining Inc. and Teranga Gold Corporation achieved an even more distinguished status by securing their third consecutive ranking—a testament to sustained operational excellence and market appeal.

Other notable repeat entries included Chesapeake Gold Corp., Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (BTC), H2O Innovation Inc., and Skeena Resources Limited. Their continued presence underscores the relationship between transparent operations and consistent investor demand.

Global Representation and Cross-Border Trading

The ranking prominently features companies cross-listed on five major international exchanges: the Australian Stock Exchange, Frankfurt Stock Exchange, Canadian Securities Exchange, TSX Venture Exchange, and Toronto Stock Exchange. This geographic diversity illustrates OTCQX’s function as a critical venue for global securities seeking enhanced visibility in U.S. markets.

The diversity of listed companies—ranging from lithium miners and gaming operators to blockchain technology providers and medical device manufacturers—reflects the breadth of opportunities available on OTCQX trading platforms.

Selection Criteria and Market Standards

To qualify for the 2021 OTCQX Best 50 ranking, companies met several stringent requirements: maintenance of OTCQX listing status throughout 2019 and 2020, share prices above $0.25, positive year-over-year price movement, minimum annual trading volume of $500,000, non-penny-stock status per SEC regulations, and membership in the OTCQX Composite Index. These criteria ensure that ranked companies exemplify the premium market standards that define OTCQX trading.

The selection process filtered 462 total OTCQX-listed companies as of December 31, 2020, identifying the 50 that best demonstrated both operational distinction and market performance excellence. OTC Markets Group retains discretion to exclude companies that subsequently fail to maintain OTCQX transparency and disclosure standards.