By and large it's gambling. It's manipulation/greed/fantasy. Maybe litecoin deserve's it's valuation, but don't be fooled. Alt-coins are where larger holders have found a clever way to increase their bitcoin holdings at the expense of people who don't know better.

But you know- people probably said the same about bitcoin once.

alt-coins may be valuable in the future, but do your own due diligence, buy something that no-one is talking about and accept it as a sunk cost.

Every time you hear about how XXX is being pumped, or how much YYY has risen, never buy -- you're playing in their playground. I'd view any such news as an opportunity to sell.