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 December 19th, 2025 | 07:05 CET
The silver bet: Why Fresnillo is investing in Silver Viper – Hecla Mining already expensive
Silver is the metal of the moment. Driven by demand from the photovoltaic industry and its role as a safe haven, gold's little brother is once again becoming the focus of investors. But while established silver producers such as Hecla Mining and Fresnillo are struggling with the challenges of declining ore grades and rising costs, a new dynamic is forming in the second tier. Strategic alliances are being forged to secure the reserves of the future. Particularly exciting is a current constellation in Mexico, where global market leader Fresnillo is entering into an unusually close relationship with explorer Silver Viper Minerals. This move could be interpreted as a covert takeover preparation.
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Commented by Nico Popp on December 18th, 2025 | 07:15 CET
Financial revolution: How BlackRock, Bank of America, and Finexity are leveraging the USD 16 trillion potential of tokenization
When one of the key figures at the world's most powerful financial regulatory authority talks about a historic turning point, Wall Street sits up and takes notice. SEC Chairman Paul Atkins recently described the tokenization of assets as the key market driver for the coming years. This is no longer about speculative cryptocurrencies, but about the digital, legally secure representation of real assets – from real estate and art to government bonds. While US giants such as BlackRock and Bank of America are already pumping billions into this new infrastructure and seeking to divide the market among themselves, a specialized player is positioning itself in Germany that has long since mastered this technology and is making it available to investors: Finexity.
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Commented by Nico Popp on December 18th, 2025 | 07:00 CET
Are Palantir and Meta facing an AI crash? Tailwind from billionaires for Power Metallic Mines
Will the AI bubble burst, or not? NVIDIA's latest figures initially reassured investors last week, but ultimately prompted profit-taking. Palantir and Meta shares are also strongly driven by AI fantasies. At the same time, the costs of AI development and the associated infrastructure are exploding. Some observers already see the early signs of a bubble, as major tech companies continue pouring billions into next-generation AI solutions at a relentless pace. The key question is: How long can this continue? And is there perhaps a sector that could quietly benefit from this dynamic?
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Commented by Nico Popp on December 18th, 2025 | 07:00 CET
Dividend comeback: Why Mercedes-Benz and VW look outdated compared to RE Royalties' model
In a market phase in which interest rates have peaked, and tech stocks are ambitiously valued, investors are once again turning their attention to the oldest source of income in stock market history: dividends. But the hunt for the highest returns often turns out to be a dangerous undertaking, because a high percentage payout is usually not a sign of strength, but a warning signal for falling prices or structural problems. While German automotive giants Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen attract investors with seemingly favorable valuations and generous returns, their business model is facing the most expensive transformation in history. In this environment, RE Royalties, a Canadian niche stock, is coming into focus. Its business model is specifically designed to generate stable cash flows from the megatrend of the energy transition without bearing the operational risks of an industrial group.
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Commented by Nico Popp on December 17th, 2025 | 07:30 CET
The Pentagon gets serious for Boeing and Co.: US government backs Korea Zinc and ignites the turbo for Antimony Resources
Antimony was long a metal that attracted little attention. But that has changed abruptly with China's recent export restrictions and geopolitical escalation. The semi-metal is indispensable for the defense industry, from ammunition to high-tech alloys used by Boeing. To break its dependence on Beijing, Washington is now digging deep into the state coffers and supporting the development of domestic capacities through the industrial giant Korea Zinc. This government intervention is fundamentally changing the rules of the market and bringing North American explorers, such as Antimony Resources, which could supply the urgently needed raw material in a few years, into the spotlight of strategic investors.
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Commented by Nico Popp on December 17th, 2025 | 07:15 CET
Gold rush: After producers Barrick Mining and Equinox Gold, it is now the turn of explorers – why Desert Gold is a takeover candidate
Forecasts for the gold market in 2026 are clear and point to a continuing supercycle. However, while producers such as Barrick Mining and Equinox Gold have already benefited massively from higher gold prices in recent months and expanded their margins, the valuation of exploration companies is still lagging behind. This historical divergence is likely to close in the coming year. Experience shows that capital flows cyclically: first, investors buy the security of cash flows, then they seek the leverage of resource development. In this environment, Desert Gold Ventures is coming into focus. The Company controls one of the largest non-producing land packages in West Africa, and is active precisely where industry giants are urgently searching for new supply.
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Commented by Nico Popp on December 16th, 2025 | 07:35 CET
AI and energy hunger: Why Microsoft, Cameco, and American Atomics are part of a megatrend
Artificial intelligence is not only changing the way we work, but also posing enormous challenges for the physical infrastructure of the global economy. Data centers for AI applications require round-the-clock power, a so-called base load that renewable energy such as solar and wind cannot consistently provide due to their volatility. And the response of the major tech companies to this problem - nuclear power! This is currently leading to a historic reassessment of the entire nuclear value chain. We present three companies positioned to benefit from this energy megatrend: Microsoft, Cameco, and American Atomics.
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Commented by Nico Popp on December 15th, 2025 | 07:05 CET
The Wall Street leverage: What Bank of America's entry really means for Almonty - the MP Materials blueprint
Capital on the stock market is not all the same. There is "dumb" money that chases short-term trends, and there is "smart" money that actually shapes markets. The alliance between Almonty Industries and Bank of America is therefore far more than a simple financing round. It is an institutional seal of approval that, via access to the wealth management arm Merrill, opens the door to US private capital and enables a re-rating. Analysts such as D.A. Davidson had already confirmed this potential before the most recent capital increase with the high-profile lead bookrunner, issuing concrete price targets of USD 12 and pointing to massive revenue growth through 2028.
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Commented by Nico Popp on December 12th, 2025 | 07:15 CET
US banks declare a golden age: JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, Kobo Resources and the maximum leverage
Wall Street's gold price forecasts for 2026 are unusually clear. Both JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs have raised their price targets significantly and see the precious metal on the verge of a historic breakout. But while the big banks primarily manage their business through volume and hedging, the market offers additional opportunities for speculative investors. Small explorers like Kobo Resources could become particularly interesting precisely because the big institutional players have not yet invested here.
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Commented by Nico Popp on December 11th, 2025 | 07:10 CET
Pasinex, thyssenkrupp, Umicore: How industry and smart mining are benefiting from zinc's comeback
Zinc leads a shadowy existence in many investors' portfolios – unjustifiably so. While lithium, rare earths, and copper are often hailed as the only raw materials of the future, a quiet but significant shift is taking place in the zinc market. Zinc is essential for modern infrastructure, indispensable for the energy transition and the refinement of steel. We shed light on why zinc should now be back on the watch list and how three completely different players, thyssenkrupp, Umicore and Pasinex Resources, are accompanying this dynamic.
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