At home in Southern Germany, the passionate stock exchange expert has been accompanying the capital markets for about twenty years. With a soft spot for smaller companies, he is constantly on the lookout for exciting investment stories. That it depends thereby less on large names, but on the future potential and whether the market also recognizes these perspectives, was one of its first learnings at the stock exchange.
On these pages, Nico examines current events at listed companies and takes a closer look at companies that are traded under the radar of the market, in addition to well-known securities.
In order to be able to take advantage of speculative opportunities on the stock exchange, Nico not only focuses on a balanced asset allocation of defensive and opportunity-oriented securities, but also on an intact risk management. "In addition to position size and entry in several tranches, investors should also develop a sense of timing and get to know a stock better before investing," says the columnist.
Commented by Nico Popp
Commented by Nico Popp on May 11th, 2026 | 07:00 CEST
Hydrogen Transformation: Why dynaCERT Is Becoming Indispensable as a Bridge for Industry – Background on NEL and Caterpillar
The energy crisis is driving change. While experts from the International Energy Agency (IEA) and McKinsey make it clear that the 1.5-degree target is now virtually unattainable, a transformation process has also been set in motion across industry and logistics amid high energy prices. The ongoing tensions in the energy markets, exacerbated by geopolitical instability in key regions such as the Strait of Hormuz, have transformed hydrogen from a future-oriented topic into an economic imperative. In sectors considered difficult to transform, including heavy industry, the maritime sector, and heavy mining, there are few viable alternatives to energy sources such as hydrogen. By 2030, green hydrogen is expected to achieve cost parity with fossil fuels in many areas, provided the infrastructure is finally scaled up. But this is precisely where the problem lies: while the world waits for tomorrow's major infrastructure solutions, industry needs efficient bridge technologies today to remain competitive. One company is already on the market and is currently enjoying more popularity than ever.
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Commented by Nico Popp on May 11th, 2026 | 06:35 CEST
The Defence Revolution: Why Volatus Aerospace Could Become a Partner for AeroVironment and TKMS
The global security architecture is currently undergoing a transformation whose significance is comparable to the introduction of gunpowder. The war in Ukraine and the escalations in the Middle East have shaken a fundamental dogma of warfare: the assumption that technological superiority is secured through costly individual systems. We are entering an era in which the "logic of terror" must be reimagined. While a Tomahawk cruise missile costs up to USD 2.5 million, drones perform the same tasks at a fraction of the cost—often with greater flexibility and less risk to human personnel. This development marks the transition from cumbersome hardware such as tanks and cruise missiles to smart drones and software-defined defence solutions. We introduce industry representatives and place a special focus on the defence platform provider Volatus Aerospace.
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Commented by Nico Popp on May 8th, 2026 | 07:10 CEST
The Future of the Steel Industry: What Strategic Resources Can Do for ArcelorMittal, Salzgitter, and Others
The steel industry has been under significant pressure to transform for years, particularly in Europe. Following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the war in Iran is now causing yet another shock. As a result, the decarbonization of the industry is no longer just a green vision but an economic necessity. While the transition to hydrogen requires billions in investment, competition for the strategic raw materials needed for this is intensifying at the same time. Steel producers are struggling with retrofitting their existing facilities and volatile margins, while problem solvers like Strategic Resources are increasingly coming into focus. The company offers intermediate products for the steel industry that make the sector's transformation possible in the first place. The key figures are promising, yet this potential has not yet gained traction in the market. Reason enough to shed light on the situation and highlight opportunities.
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Commented by Nico Popp on May 7th, 2026 | 08:35 CEST
Is this where the all-in-one worry-free mine is taking shape? What the industry needs now, who benefits – Power Metallic Mines, BMW, Lundin Mining
Investing in the early stages of mineral exploration is a risky endeavour—especially when betting on low-grade deposits in politically unstable regions. Savvy investors avoid these unpredictable risks and instead focus on strategically high-grade deposits in first-class jurisdictions like Canada. When a project can simultaneously demonstrate significant grades of copper, platinum group metals (PGMs), and nickel, this is of existential importance to the industry, especially today. In the wake of the global energy transition and the rapid rise of new key technologies, the search for reliable supply chains has gained momentum. While demand for battery metals and other industrial raw materials is skyrocketing, traditional mining regions are under increasing pressure from geopolitical conflicts. In this market environment, the wheat is being separated from the chaff: Only those who can combine first-class geology with absolute geopolitical security will prevail in the coming commodities supercycle. We present three exciting companies.
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Commented by Nico Popp on May 7th, 2026 | 08:10 CEST
The AI Revolution Is Unstoppable: How First Hydrogen, Tesla, and NVIDIA Are Ushering in the Robot Era
The global economy is facing many major shifts. One of these disruptions is largely driven by advances in AI and robotics. What were considered isolated trends in software intelligence, clean energy, and mechanical automation just a few years ago are now merging into visions capable of transforming entire industries and our daily lives. Visionary investments in autonomous systems are the new battleground for the global tech elite, while in more conservative economic regions like Germany, the combination of humanoid robots and autonomous mobility is often still dismissed as a futuristic pipe dream. Yet leading technology companies are inexorably laying the groundwork for this new era, in which multifunctional, AI-equipped robots are pushing the boundaries of what is currently imaginable. We highlight two of these visionaries, Tesla and NVIDIA, and explain why First Hydrogen has discovered an exciting niche in the shadow of these giants.
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Commented by Nico Popp on May 6th, 2026 | 07:30 CEST
Comeback of the Giants: Why Nevada's Forgotten Mines Offer the Best Leverage – Lahontan Gold, Newmont, i-80 Gold
Several factors are currently converging in the precious metals market: geopolitical instability, a shift in monetary policy, and the resurgence of real assets. This is creating strong tailwinds. As the gold price pushes into the USD 4,500-per-ounce range, industry players are increasingly focusing on regions that offer not only geological quality but, above all, legal certainty and planning reliability. In this context, the US state of Nevada has once again established itself as a global hotspot for gold production. However, when drilling on greenfield sites without historical data, investments in precious metal projects often resemble a gamble. Savvy investors tend to avoid early-stage risk and instead focus on brownfield projects—that is, formerly producing mines with existing infrastructure and well-defined ore bodies. We take a closer look at the situation in Nevada and present some compelling stocks.
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Commented by Nico Popp on May 6th, 2026 | 07:15 CEST
The License to Print Money – Why the Energy Transition Is Creating Cash Cows Like Apple Through RE Royalties and Altius Renewable Royalties
Investments in renewable energy can sometimes be tricky—at least when professionals are not involved. Inexperienced investors in the cleantech sector often face the dilemma that high growth comes at the cost of immense operational risks, unpredictable construction costs, and overwhelming capital intensity. Those who invest directly in project developers or finance the construction of individual wind and solar farms bear the full risk of supply chain delays, rising interest rates, and technological failures. Yet, amidst this volatility, an innovative financing structure backed by extensive expertise is taking hold, fundamentally changing the risk-return profile of the entire industry and generating highly profitable cash flows: the royalty model. We introduce key players and explain how royalty newcomer RE Royalties relates to Apple.
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Commented by Nico Popp on May 5th, 2026 | 07:50 CEST
The Electric Revolution at Mercedes-Benz: HPQ Silicon and Cenovus Energy Deliver Range and Green Energy
Competition in the automotive industry has shifted. Internal combustion engines are playing an increasingly minor role, while Asian pioneers are gaining ground with comfort and technological innovations. Operationally, too, the focus is no longer solely on manufacturing capacity, but on technological and environmental efficiency. While China, in particular, has already left many manufacturers in the dust through aggressive vertical integration, Western automakers like Mercedes-Benz are in a phase of radical strategic realignment. Success today depends primarily on two factors: the ability to push the limits of existing battery chemistry and the need to consistently make the entire industrial supply chain sustainable. In this market environment, Mercedes-Benz and HPQ Silicon, in particular, are driving the transition to highly efficient, silicon-based electric mobility. We highlight potential opportunities for investors.
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Commented by Nico Popp on May 5th, 2026 | 07:20 CEST
The Methane Economy – How a Greenhouse Gas Becomes an Investment Opportunity: Chevron, BP, and Problem-Solver Zefiro Methane
The US energy sector is transforming. For over a century, companies like Chevron have shaped the US industry and produced oil on a massive scale. But this unprecedented rise has left an ecological footprint. Countless abandoned or "orphan" wells in the US continue to emit methane - a greenhouse gas that, over a twenty-year period, has a warming effect about 80 times greater than that of CO₂. Politicians are now taking action and calling for an end to this methane crisis. While industry giants like Chevron face increasing pressure to curb methane emissions, Zefiro Methane tackles the problem at its root by plugging orphaned oil wells. Because the work is challenging and Zefiro brings years of experience to the table, the company is the first port of call for many industry partners. Just how necessary Zefiro's commitment is is demonstrated by the International Energy Agency's (IEA) latest report, "Global Methane Tracker 2026," which notes that sealing all methane leaks could make up to 200 billion cubic meters of natural gas available—gas that has previously been escaping into the atmosphere.
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Commented by Nico Popp on May 1st, 2026 | 07:25 CEST
Is a Western Tungsten Ecosystem Emerging? Almonty Industries vs China Tungsten – Does Rheinmetall Stand to Gain?
The supply of tungsten has become one of the most critical bottlenecks for Western security and high technology. The metal, which has the highest melting point of any element at 3,422°C, is simply irreplaceable in modern weapon systems, semiconductors, and technologies ranging from the energy transition to fusion energy. While the Chinese market leader, China Tungsten and Hightech Materials, continues to post impressive record figures, a turning point is unfolding behind the scenes: China is transforming from a dominant exporter to a strategic importer of tungsten concentrates. This development is forcing Western consumers like Rheinmetall to radically reevaluate their supply chains to avoid dependence on Beijing's export decisions. Almonty is stepping into this strategic vacuum; with the commissioning of the Sangdong mine in South Korea, it is becoming the new linchpin of a Western-oriented raw materials alliance. The current market situation makes it clear that the era of cheap and always-available tungsten from the Far East is over. This makes establishing self-sufficient supply chains in secure jurisdictions a top priority for Western governments. Almonty is likely to benefit. We compare this ambitious tungsten player with the Chinese market leader.
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