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 April 1st, 2026 | 07:20 CEST
Antimony as a Bottleneck: Challenges for Northrop Grumman and First Solar – Top Opportunity for Antimony Resources
Created and published on behalf of Antimony Resources Corp.
In the spring of 2026, global supply chains for the semi-metal antimony will be under severe pressure. Escalating geopolitical tensions, particularly the war in the Middle East and the de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, have left a deep mark. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), this is one of the most severe disruptions in recent history. The situation is exacerbated by China's export controls, as China historically controls around 48% of global antimony production. While civilian use of this critical element is partially possible again for US entities, military exports remain strictly prohibited. In this context, the focus is shifting to the development of new Western deposits. The goal: to reliably supply defense contractors like Northrop Grumman and solar companies like First Solar. The exploration company Antimony Resources plays a key role in this effort, offering a readily available solution with its Bald Hill project in Canada.
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Commented by Nico Popp on March 31st, 2026 | 08:20 CEST
Dividends as Portfolio Anchors: Familiar Names Sanofi and BB Biotech – Hidden Gem RE Royalties
In a market environment marked by structural upheaval, portfolio stability is increasingly coming into focus. Analysts at JPMorgan emphasize that preserving accumulated gains requires a renewed focus on resilience and diversification. Research by S&P Global also shows that dividends have contributed over 50% to the total return of global equities over the past 25 years. Choosing the right stocks is crucial to securing steady cash flows even during volatile market phases. Pharmaceutical giant Sanofi, investment firm BB Biotech, and the virtually unknown Canadian company RE Royalties offer fundamentally different but extremely promising approaches for investors.
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Commented by Nico Popp on March 31st, 2026 | 07:05 CEST
Resilience in Logistics: Daimler Truck and Nel Explore a Hydrogen Future – dynaCERT Bridges the Gap
The logistics sector faces major challenges that highlight just how dependent it is on fossil fuels. An escalating conflict in the Middle East and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz have shaken energy markets and led to rising prices for petroleum products and their derivatives. Particularly alarming is the price surge for diesel, the primary fuel for global heavy-duty transport. According to current market data, diesel prices on the London Stock Exchange have jumped by about 27 cents per liter since the end of February 2026. The economic consequences are enormous: simulations by the German Economic Institute show that a sustained oil price of USD 100 per barrel could result in real economic damage of about EUR 40 billion over two years. In this context, hydrogen is no longer seen merely as a tool for greater sustainability but as a prerequisite for resilience in energy matters. In this transformation process, the business models of Daimler Truck, Nel ASA, and dynaCERT complement one another. We analyze the solutions, which range from far-reaching visions for the future of mobility to immediate efficiency gains in heavy-duty engines.
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Commented by Nico Popp on March 30th, 2026 | 08:30 CEST
A Paradigm Shift in Oncology: Core Stocks Roche & Galderma and the High-Leverage Opportunity in Vidac Pharma
Medical advances affect us all. Oncology is also undergoing a transformation. As conventional immunotherapies for skin cancer increasingly reach their limits, clinical research is shifting its focus to correcting defective tumor metabolism. The Warburg effect, where cancer cells shift energy production to aerobic glycolysis to fuel uncontrolled growth, offers a promising entry point. This dynamic development landscape is exacerbated by an impending patent cliff, which, according to calculations by the consulting firm PwC, threatens industry revenues of USD 104 billion by 2028, as many patents for active ingredients are expiring. Currently, market researchers at Fortune Business Insights estimate the volume of the global oncology market for 2026 at USD 286.36 billion. While pharmaceutical giant Roche secures its market leadership and the Galderma Group dominates standard dermatological care, biotechnology company Vidac Pharma is targeting the metabolic vulnerability of cancer cells with a completely novel mechanism of action, aiming to effectively shut down the cancer.
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Commented by Nico Popp on March 30th, 2026 | 08:00 CEST
Drone Warfare Redefines Security: Challenges for Rheinmetall and AeroVironment – Laggard Volatus Aerospace
The global security architecture has collapsed—where there was once stability, there is now chaos. Or do we seriously believe the US would still support NATO in the event of a defense crisis? At the same time, technological innovation is accelerating: what once began as experimental reconnaissance technology has evolved into a decisive factor in modern warfare - drones. A look at Eastern Europe illustrates the magnitude of this turning point. According to calculations by Reuters, Ukraine recently succeeded in putting up to 40% of Russia's oil export capacity out of commission through the use of drones. This military success is costing the Russian state budget billions. At the same time, Ukraine is emerging as a global exporter of drone technology and expertise. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently confirmed the deployment of military experts to the Middle East to assist countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Qatar in defending against drone attacks. Germany is also upgrading its capabilities, as conventional air defense systems are reaching their limits. Major corporations such as Rheinmetall and AeroVironment are positioning themselves in this market, which, according to forecasts by Global Industry Analysts, is expected to reach a volume of over USD 58 billion by the end of 2026. However, the most compelling leverage for investors is offered by the up-and-coming Canadian company Volatus Aerospace.
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Commented by Nico Popp on March 27th, 2026 | 09:15 CET
Gold as a Last Resort? Risks at Blackstone, Core Investment in Barrick Mining, and Top Opportunity in Lahontan Gold
The financial markets are at a critical juncture. While the global economy has long hoped for a soft landing, warning signs from the private credit market and record global debt of around USD 350 trillion are revealing the fragility of the credit-based system. According to data from the World Gold Council (WGC), total demand for gold exceeded the 5,000-ton mark for the first time in 2025. This drove the total volume of the gold market to USD 555 billion, representing a 45% increase. While this development is also due to rising prices, it is nonetheless impressive. Even after the recent correction, the precious metal remains in demand: central banks purchased around 863 tons in 2025, while index funds absorbed 801 tons. Analysts at JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs raised their price targets, in some cases above the USD 6,000 mark. In this complex landscape, the connections between the financial industry and precious metals become particularly interesting. While giants like Blackstone grapple with mounting challenges, mining companies such as Barrick Mining are benefiting from the flight to tangible assets. However, the standout opportunity for investors lies with the explorer Lahontan Gold, which impresses with a largely crisis-resilient business model.
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Commented by Nico Popp on March 27th, 2026 | 07:30 CET
Gold as a System Anchor: Desert Gold as a Hidden Opportunity, Challenges at Blue Owl Capital and Newmont
The global financial architecture is undergoing a period of profound change. While stock markets appear resilient thanks to AI, alarming imbalances are emerging in the credit sector and government budgets. Global debt has reached the USD 340 trillion mark, which is roughly three to four times the world's economic output. In this complex landscape, gold is proving its role as a store of value: data from the World Gold Council (WGC) shows that demand exceeded the 5,000-ton mark for the first time last year. Even after temporary sell-offs, the precious metal remains in extremely high demand, with central banks from China, India, and Poland acting as buyers. Forecasts from renowned financial institutions see the gold price returning to above the USD 6,000 mark in the medium term. While warning signs from the private credit market are driving investors toward established producers like Newmont, second-tier stocks are also coming into focus. For risk-conscious investors, Desert Gold offers attractive leverage.
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Commented by Nico Popp on March 26th, 2026 | 07:15 CET
Defense Industry Under Stress: Bottlenecks at Rheinmetall and Lockheed – Almonty Industries Stands to Reap the Benefits
The war in the Middle East is exposing the vulnerability of the global security architecture. While the US-led coalition's military operations against Iran, known as Operation Epic Fury, continue, US President Donald Trump's erratic communication is causing extreme uncertainty among military planners. In rapid succession, reports from the White House oscillate between triumphant declarations of victory, the announcement of American ground troops, and, shortly thereafter, the prospect of peace negotiations. This unpredictability collides with an alarming reality: even the arsenals of the world's greatest military power are emptying at a rapid pace. The massive use of precision weapons starkly reveals that the global arms industry is simply not equipped for intense wars of attrition or a further escalation of global tensions following the collapse of the existing world order. The real bottleneck in the arms industry is not a lack of government budgets, but the critical raw materials at the beginning of the supply chain. As a result, the market for tungsten and the producer Almonty Industries are coming into focus for investors. A unique opportunity beckons.
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Commented by Nico Popp on March 26th, 2026 | 07:00 CET
What Makes NEO Battery Materials Unique – Drone Defense and Technological Sovereignty: Competing with DroneShield and Amprius
The German Armed Forces are ramping up investments in drone technology, while Ukraine is supporting Middle Eastern countries in strengthening their drone defense capabilities. Small, highly mobile interceptor drones are increasingly becoming the system of choice. At the core of these platforms are batteries, which determine range, climb rate, and payload—and are therefore mission-critical for successful interception. However, supply chains reveal a structural vulnerability: China currently dominates around 80% of global battery production and its critical precursors. This is where the Canadian-South Korean company NEO Battery Materials comes into play. The company is developing high-performance silicon anodes independent of Chinese supply chains and is collaborating with industrial partners such as Taesung and Korea Zinc to scale production. We outline the advantages this solution offers over competitors like Amprius Technologies and explore why vertical integration is crucial and why NEO's batteries can enhance the performance of existing drone systems without requiring major redesigns.
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Commented by Nico Popp on March 25th, 2026 | 09:40 CET
Data Ecosystems of the Future: Aspermont, a Newcomer, Follows in the Footsteps of S&P Global and Wolters Kluwer
Specialized professional information is the most profitable business model in the knowledge economy. In a world shaped by technological disruption and geopolitical tensions, simply providing information is no longer enough. The trend is toward decision-making architectures in which proprietary content is monetized through artificial intelligence (AI) and converted into recurring subscription revenue (XaaS). In other words, valuable information at the touch of a button that makes current decisions easier. Studies by the consulting firm McKinsey confirm that data has long since become a kind of asset class for companies. Corporations such as S&P Global Market Intelligence and Wolters Kluwer have already successfully pursued this path and are traded as established blue-chips with correspondingly high valuation metrics. The small-cap company Aspermont is following this exact formula for success, though it is still in an early phase by comparison. As the ongoing commodities boom fuels numerous new project activity and Aspermont attracts fresh capital following its reverse stock split, the company is increasingly coming into focus.
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