Just found some interesting under $20 stocks worth looking at from back in 2024 that had solid fundamentals. If you're into diversifying beyond just mega-caps, smaller companies trading cheap can sometimes give you real upside potential.

So there's this gold play - Galiano Gold (GAU on NYSE). They run the Asako mine in Ghana, pumping out something like 120-130k ounces of gold annually. What caught my eye was their 2023 numbers: revenue up 3% year-over-year, and they actually beat production targets with 134k ounces. The interesting part is that gold was trading over $1,300 per ounce back then and had climbed 13% in the prior year. GAU stock jumped over 140% that year, and they got upgraded by BMO Capital to Outperform. If you're looking for best stocks under $20 with commodity exposure, this had real potential.

Then there's Viant Technology (DSP on NASDAQ) - an ad tech company using generative AI to spot customer trends. Their Q4 2023 earnings showed revenue up 18% and gross profit surging 41%. Stock was up over 150% for the year, riding the AI wave pretty hard. The company actually had a history of being profitable too, which is rare in ad tech. For investors seeking best stocks under $20 in the AI space, DSP looked compelling at that time.

Last one is Blue Owl Capital (OBDC on NYSE) - a business development company offering various lending products. What really stands out here is the dividend yield sitting around 9.67% annually. Their Q4 2023 results showed net income down slightly but investment income up 17%, and they beat expectations on both fronts. Stock was up 24% year-over-year. If you wanted best stocks under $20 with solid income potential, this dividend yield was hard to ignore.

The broader point: finding quality stocks trading under $20 across different sectors can give you exposure to companies with real growth potential. Whether it's commodities, tech, or financials, there's usually something worth digging into if you do your homework.