Junior equities are stocks that are less mature in terms of market capitalization, revenues, and profitability than their larger counterparts. They are often referred to as small-cap stocks or growth stocks. Synonyms for junior equities include micro-cap stocks, penny stocks, and emerging market equities. Micro-cap stocks are companies with market capitalizations of less than $300 million, while penny stocks are those that can be purchased for less than $5 per share. Emerging market equities refer to stocks of companies based in developing economies. These junior equities can offer significantly higher returns than more established companies, but they also come with higher risks and volatility.