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 September 30th, 2025 | 07:25 CEST
Is the industrial heart of Europe dying? Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, AJN Resources
Uncertainty in Germany is greater than ever: Increasingly, companies in the automotive industry are cutting jobs. According to industry experts at EY, around 51,100 jobs were lost in the automotive industry within a year, corresponding to around 7% of all jobs. Companies in other sectors are also making cuts. Most recently, Lufthansa also laid off staff. This bad news is accompanied by a worrying mood of doom and gloom among the German population – especially in the traditionally wealthy southwest of the country. In this article, we explain how the industrial giants Porsche and Mercedes-Benz are faring and why more and more investors are turning their attention to gold stocks as a result.
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 30th, 2025 | 07:05 CEST
Suriname set to become a growth champion! Sranan Gold, Newmont, TotalEnergies
There are many emerging economies. However, Suriname has some decisive advantages: the Guiana Shield rock formation runs through the country and offers ideal conditions, especially for companies in the gold sector. At the same time, Suriname is synonymous with oil – a giant oil field developed by TotalEnergies in collaboration with a local partner is set to go into production in 2028. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts that Suriname's economy will grow by around 55% in the year production begins – reason enough to take a closer look at the country from an investor's perspective and highlight the opportunities it offers.
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 29th, 2025 | 07:10 CEST
More than defense - How Almonty's tungsten makes AI chips from Intel and Micron possible
Tungsten is considered a critical metal worldwide—the defense industry in particular cannot do without it. But tungsten is also a high-tech metal. Without this element, which only melts at 3,400 degrees Celsius, has low resistance, and offers extremely high electrical conductivity, computer chips would not exist. The AI boom would be unthinkable without tungsten – the many data centers currently springing up around the world could not be built. We show how companies from the chip industry, such as Intel and Micron, are securing their supply and explain why Almonty is a blessing for the chip industry.
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 26th, 2025 | 07:30 CEST
AI is conquering increasingly more areas: SAP and Amazon are targeting small and mid-sized businesses, while NetraMark is winning over the biotech industry
Will AI become our new god? This question is currently being explored in depth by the German philosopher Markus Gabriel in a well-known German podcast. And although the question may cause unease for many, Gabriel's conclusions are ultimately anything but pessimistic. SAP and Amazon are also looking to the future with optimism: Together with OpenAI, they are now building an AI infrastructure in Germany. The goal: to enable public authorities and companies to use the latest AI tools in a legally compliant manner, without European data leaving the continent. The initiative demonstrates that AI will conquer many more areas in the coming years. One of these areas is medical research. The innovative company NetraMark is using its AI solution to deliver faster results and lower costs for future-focused projects, such as the fight against cancer.
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 26th, 2025 | 07:20 CEST
One-stop shop – Battery metals from a single source: Umicore, BASF, Power Metallic Mines
Anyone who is often in a rush knows the challenge after work: just a quick trip to the store. In such cases, we usually head to our trusted supermarket, where we can find all the products we need in one place. The same principle applies in mining. Complex products, such as modern high-performance batteries for electric vehicles, require a wide range of metals. Polymetallic deposits are therefore in particularly high demand – they are like the familiar neighborhood supermarket for industrial customers. We explain why Power Metallic Mines has the potential to become a one-stop shop for potential major customers such as Umicore and BASF.
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 23rd, 2025 | 07:10 CEST
The AI doctor in your pocket: PanGenomic Health, Bayer, CVS Health
Healthcare costs are a pressing political issue worldwide - in Germany, for example, debates are resurfacing over co-payments and the requirement to see a general practitioner first. This drives more people to self-medicate. The situation is even more extreme in the US: without mandatory insurance and facing extremely high healthcare costs, almost 9% of the population is uninsured, and around 33% is underinsured, leading many citizens to turn to alternative solutions. We examine business models related to increasing personal responsibility in healthcare, with a special focus on a smaller-cap stock.
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 23rd, 2025 | 07:00 CEST
What MASH could do for your portfolio: BioNxt, Roche, Novo Nordisk
Have you heard of MASH? The acronym stands for metabolic-associated steatohepatitis, which was previously simply called "fatty liver." Medications targeting this disease, which studies suggest affects around 6% of Americans, are being hailed as the next big trend in the biotech market. Overall, one in three overweight individuals is affected. Since many patients initially show no symptoms, MASH is considered particularly insidious. The growing discussion around the condition could turn many at-risk individuals into patients who take medication, which is excellent news for certain companies in the sector. For a small-cap stock, the hype surrounding MASH could even be transformative.
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 22nd, 2025 | 07:15 CEST
Serbians don't want mines – Are Europe's battery supply chains at risk? BYD, BMW and European Lithium
A recent article in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) reveals that the vast majority of Serbians oppose lithium mining in the country. The Journal for International Politics and Society cites a survey according to which 55% of Serbians are against a lithium mine in the Jardar Valley – only 25% are in favor of it. The latest media report paints an even bleaker picture. According to the report, the various population groups in Serbia have rarely been as united as they are in their opposition to the mine. But what does this mean for European battery supply chains? Which companies will be penalized, and which will benefit? We analyze the situation.
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 22nd, 2025 | 07:05 CEST
Tenfold increase on the Horizon – Things could move fast: Boeing, Larvotto Resources and Antimony Resources
When fires break out in high-rise buildings, vehicles, or aircraft, they can quickly become life-threatening. Fire protection materials have been used for many years to contain fires. Antimony is a key component in these materials. Around 42% of global demand is accounted for by antimony-based flame retardants in composite materials. But antimony also plays an important role in armaments and is found in armor-piercing ammunition, night vision devices, infrared sensors, and communication equipment. With China controlling around 70% of the market, according to Future Markets Insights, the need for alternative sources is growing. We take a closer look at the market and highlight some exciting stocks.
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 18th, 2025 | 07:05 CEST
Understanding metabolism, generating returns: Vidac Pharma, Roche, AstraZeneca
In the search for new treatments against diseases, researchers agree on one thing: the holy grail is unlikely to be found. Instead, it is incremental improvements and combination therapies that promise progress in complex diseases such as cancer. Cell metabolism is considered a promising approach, for example, in cancer, when the metabolism of a cancer cell is disrupted, the cell dies. In this article, we present current approaches and also discuss a biotechnology company that is wholly dedicated to cellular metabolism.
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