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 July 30th, 2026 | 09:40 CEST
Hydrogen Shake-Up: How NEL and Plug Power Are Streamlining Their Operations as dynaCERT Enters a Pivotal Phase
When heavy-duty trucks and massive mining equipment operate at full capacity for hours on end, they burn vast amounts of fossil fuels. While the energy and industrial sectors continue to push the transition towards cleaner alternatives, at least judging by media coverage, challenging conditions in the mining industry, high interest rates and economic uncertainty continue to delay many ambitious climate projects. Companies that are unable or unwilling to make large-scale investments are therefore looking for transitional solutions that can reduce operating costs while at least partially lowering emissions. We take a closer look at three companies that are well positioned to benefit from this trend.
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Commented by Nico Popp on July 30th, 2026 | 09:30 CEST
SpaceX's Environmental Mess, Occidental Petroleum's Battle Against Windmills, and Zefiro Methane's Billion-Dollar Opportunity
When SpaceX's rockets soar toward orbit, the public gazes spellbound at the evening sky. The fact that rocket launches release enormous amounts of greenhouse gases is only noted critically in passing. Yet even SpaceX is doing everything it can to reduce its environmental footprint. There is still plenty of potential for savings right here on Earth. Plugging abandoned and orphaned wells from the oil and gas industry is one such opportunity. If these avoided emissions are systematically tracked and converted into carbon credits, this would build a bridge between the traditional oil and gas industry and the space sector. We shed light on this development and show where investors can look for opportunities.
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Commented by Nico Popp on July 29th, 2026 | 07:45 CEST
Battery Metals Bottleneck: Volkswagen and BHP Under Pressure as Power Metallic Mines Faces Weeks of Truth
Electric vehicles are becoming an increasingly common sight on German roads, driven in part by the arrival of aggressively priced models from China. However, the rapid growth of electric mobility is placing mounting pressure on automotive supply chains. Automakers are grappling with volatile markets while becoming increasingly concerned about securing reliable access to critical raw materials. Commodities are no longer viewed as readily available inputs but as strategic assets essential to industrial competitiveness. This complex situation calls for new alliances: mining companies, major automakers, and dynamic project developers are pulling out all the stops to secure raw materials for the future.
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Commented by Nico Popp on July 29th, 2026 | 07:05 CEST
Big Money in Sustainability – SAP and Siemens Energy Are Raking It In – RE Royalties Delivers a 10% Dividend
The transition to clean electricity is not failing for lack of will, but because of the enormous practical hurdles. While the rise of artificial intelligence is fueling demand for green energy, existing power grids worldwide are reaching their limits. At the same time, smaller project developers in this niche are grappling with financing and regulatory issues, while industrial conglomerates are required to disclose their carbon footprints with ever-greater transparency. Investors looking to capitalize on this complex situation must understand the various players and the challenges they face. We provide an overview and introduce a little-known hidden gem.
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Commented by Nico Popp on July 28th, 2026 | 07:35 CEST
Hydrogen Setback: BASF and Linde Focus on Large-Scale Projects—Could Decentralized Solutions Put A.H.T. Syngas in the Spotlight?
The energy transition is unstoppable. Even industrial companies can no longer avoid finding innovative solutions involving synthesis gas or hydrogen. To meet the rapidly rising demand for green hydrogen in particular, policymakers and corporations are relying on pipelines and large-scale projects. The European RED III directive requires the chemical industry to achieve a 42% share of green hydrogen by 2030—which, according to market researchers, will require investments in the double-digit billions. However, since the expansion of Germany's pipeline network is proceeding slowly, many companies are facing a supply gap. The industry is addressing this gap in two ways: large corporations are focusing on large-scale solutions, while specialized providers such as A.H.T. Syngas are advancing decentralized solutions. We examine the situation and highlight opportunities.
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Commented by Nico Popp on July 27th, 2026 | 07:35 CEST
China's Export Restrictions: German Industry Must Invest in Raw Materials. How VW and Rheinmetall Respond & Why Aspermont Could Benefit
For decades, raw materials were commodities in the truest sense of the word—interchangeable goods purchased at the lowest possible price. But in recent years, security of supply has evolved from a procurement issue into a decisive factor for the survival of Western industry. Depending on the sector, shortages can threaten entire business models. To reduce the risks posed by geopolitical tensions, volatile commodity prices and increasingly stringent sustainability requirements, industrial companies are taking a much closer look at their raw material supply chains. Some are investing directly in mining projects, while others are forming strategic partnerships. In either case, access to reliable information on mining projects and the conditions across the value chain is essential for assessing supply risks. Aspermont, a specialist provider of mining and commodities intelligence, could be well positioned to benefit from this shift.
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Commented by Nico Popp on July 27th, 2026 | 07:15 CEST
The Drone Revolution: Palantir and Lockheed Martin Forced to Innovate—Volatus Aerospace Follows Ukraine's Lead
The days when tanks weighing several metric tons or extremely expensive fighter jets determined victory or defeat on the battlefield are over. As a look at modern warfare shows, it is now primarily the seamless interaction between hardware and software that determines actual success. Those who cannot coordinate algorithms and sensor technology in real time will fall behind. Ukraine is currently demonstrating this impressively, as it now launches more drones for counterattacks against Russia than the aggressor itself. This illustrates that, for NATO, security also means building an agile defence industry that can respond flexibly to requirements. We take a look at three companies in the industry and highlight opportunities.
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Commented by Nico Popp on July 24th, 2026 | 08:50 CEST
Cameco Had to Buy Uranium on the Open Market – NexGen Opts Out of Offtake Agreements – Standard Uranium Receives a "Gift"
Now Saudi Arabia has entered the picture as well. The recent nuclear deal with the US underscores that nuclear power is on the rise. The reason is clear: AI data centers require climate-neutral baseload power. However, nuclear reactors need uranium fuel—and uranium is anything but abundant. At the same time, Western sanctions against Russian uranium are further tightening an already constrained global supply. Amid this supply gap, a remote region in northern Canada is increasingly attracting investor attention. The Athabasca Basin is home to the world's largest uranium deposits. While established industry leaders and advanced developers already command multi-billion-dollar valuations, investors are searching for the next discovered success stories in the world's premier uranium district. We take a closer look at the investment landscape in the Athabasca Basin.
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Commented by Nico Popp on July 24th, 2026 | 08:30 CEST
Promising Explorer Kobo Resources Heading for a Busy Fall? Endeavour Mining and Perseus Mining Under Pressure
West Africa stands out for its vibrant mining scene. A lot is happening in the region right now. While the major mining giants are investing billions in their existing operations to extend mine lifetimes, an increasing number of smaller players are also coming into focus with high-grade discoveries. In Côte d'Ivoire in particular, there is already existing processing infrastructure that needs to be utilized to full capacity. This is driving activity along the Birimian greenstone belt. The race for promising gold properties near existing milling capacity has begun. In this way, corporations are avoiding extensive new investments and permitting processes while breathing new life into existing facilities. We explain the trend and highlight a potential beneficiary.
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Commented by Nico Popp on July 23rd, 2026 | 07:50 CEST
Panic in the Multi-Billion-Dollar Market: Novo Nordisk and Halozyme Therapeutics Face Headwinds—BioNxt Solutions Nears a Turning Point
The global pharmaceutical market is worth hundreds of billions of dollars. Yet one of the industry's most surprising realities is that success increasingly depends not only on the active ingredient itself but also on how it is delivered. This does not refer to the cardboard box, but to the dosage form. Whenever patents expire, and blockbuster drugs face competition, innovative biotech companies seize the opportunity. New drug delivery technologies can transform well-known substances into more effective medicines, reduce side effects, and open up entirely new treatment options for patients. While established pharmaceutical giants spend vast sums defending market exclusivity, agile second-tier biotech companies are driving innovation through next-generation drug delivery platforms.
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