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 October 9th, 2025 | 07:30 CEST
Digital business models for explosive growth: MiMedia, Peloton, Delivery Hero
Digital business models offer one key advantage: they can be scaled almost indefinitely. It is therefore no surprise that large parts of the global economy have now been digitized, or at least complemented by digital alternatives. Restaurants, for example, face competition from delivery platforms, while gyms compete with online fitness programs. Below, we highlight three digital business models - MiMedia, Peloton, and Delivery Hero - and explore where new opportunities for investors may be emerging today.
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Commented by Nico Popp on October 9th, 2025 | 07:10 CEST
Dividends and growth? It is possible! With RE Royalties, Royalty Pharma or Evonik
The stock market is not just about price increases; dividends are also highly attractive. There are even professional investor groups that focus almost exclusively on continuous returns. Examples include pension funds and insurers. But why do companies in some sectors distribute more profits than others? We take a closer look at three exciting stocks that are also income generators and explain which business models offer the greatest potential from an investor's perspective.
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Commented by Nico Popp on October 8th, 2025 | 07:00 CEST
US industrial policy at a turning point – how shareholders stand to benefit: MP Materials, Intel, Almonty
The administration of US President Donald Trump has shaken things up considerably in its first few months in office. Some changes unsettle observers, while others could serve as a blueprint for other economic regions such as the EU. A good example of the latter scenario is the US's direct investments in companies that are essential to critical supply chains. Examples include rare earths producer MP Materials, chip developer Intel, and lithium company Lithium Americas – the US now holds shares in all three companies. We analyze the strategy behind this policy and what it could mean for other suppliers of critical metals, such as tungsten producer Almonty Industries.
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Commented by Nico Popp on October 7th, 2025 | 07:30 CEST
Hydrogen – hope or hype? BMW, BASF and dynaCERT
Hydrogen was long hailed as the next big thing for the stock market. But now, disillusionment is setting in. The latest example: energy company RWE has withdrawn from a USD 10 billion green hydrogen project in Namibia. RWE cited sluggish demand in Europe as the reason for its decision. This development illustrates that while the hydrogen era is on the horizon, practical hurdles remain. For investors, the focus is shifting to transitional technologies that are already helping to reduce emissions. In this article, we examine three very different companies, BMW, BASF and dynaCERT, and explore how they are positioned between vision and reality.
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Commented by Nico Popp on October 7th, 2025 | 07:15 CEST
Indonesia shock for car manufacturers – NISK offers hope: Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Power Metallic Mines
Indonesia is the global hotspot for nickel. According to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, around 50% of the global supply comes from this Asian country. But recently, the media and NGOs have put the country's "dirty" nickel in the spotlight. Environmental organizations are sounding the alarm: in the mining regions of Sulawesi and the Moluccas, the soil and coastal waters are reportedly contaminated, and in some places the sea is turning red due to mining residues. As reported by German broadcaster ZDF a few weeks ago, Mercedes-Benz also indirectly sources nickel from Indonesia. We take a look at what the consequences of these allegations are and why a promising nickel location may now return to the focus of industry.
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Commented by Nico Popp on October 6th, 2025 | 07:20 CEST
Biotech: Small innovations, big impact with Teva Pharmaceutical, BioNxt and Lonza Group
Anyone investing in biotech hopes to have the next big breakthrough in their portfolio: active ingredients that revolutionize everything, technologies that make a difference. In reality, however, biotechnology is characterized by many small but meaningful improvements. From an investor's perspective, it is also worth keeping an eye on these incremental advances. The reason: while the search for new, groundbreaking active ingredients is often a hit-or-miss business, small advances make it possible to generate consistent returns with relatively low capital expenditure. We present three promising business models that demonstrate the value-creation potential of incremental innovation.
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Commented by Nico Popp on October 3rd, 2025 | 07:20 CEST
The Bitcoin Revolution – Now it is time to leverage! Nakiki, Capital B, Bitcoin Group
Bitcoin is a perennial favorite – for years, the world's most well-known cryptocurrency has been on an upward trajectory. Due to the coin's unalterable design, the maximum number of new Bitcoins is limited. Unlike traditional currencies, which are regularly inflated by central banks, the supply of Bitcoin increases ever more slowly until it eventually stabilizes at a predetermined level. This is another reason why the best-known cryptocurrency is considered an optimal asset class for preserving wealth and investing independently of the traditional financial system. There are now a number of companies that have built lucrative business models by converting central bank money into Bitcoin. We present three stocks and take a closer look at the newcomer, Nakiki.
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Commented by Nico Popp on October 2nd, 2025 | 07:15 CEST
Graphite problem solvers with small valuation: SGL Carbon, Mercedes-Benz, Graphano Energy
Battery-grade graphite is classified as a critical element in both the US and the EU. The reason: supply chains have been too dependent on China. Recent geopolitical shifts have caused decision-makers on both sides of the Atlantic to rethink their approach to graphite and other critical raw materials. Secure sources are now in high demand. At the same time, sustainability and environmental protection remain key requirements for projects. In this article, we explain the latest developments in the graphite market and how investors can benefit from them.
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Commented by Nico Popp on October 2nd, 2025 | 07:05 CEST
What billions for space mean for drones: Volatus Aerospace, Hensoldt, Airbus
Things are happening in Germany! The federal government recently approved comprehensive investments in space. Experts agree that Germany is on a par with the US when it comes to space research. While partners across the Atlantic usually act faster and on a larger scale, Germany is now set to take a bolder approach: a hefty EUR 35 billion is to be invested in space security. This move positions Germany as a space power, leaving even the French and British in the dust. We take a look at what these investments mean and why the commitment to space should be seen as part of the bigger picture.
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Commented by Nico Popp on October 1st, 2025 | 07:15 CEST
The stock for the Dubai boom: Emirates NBD, Finexity, eToro
Dubai is increasingly establishing itself as a global hub for financial innovation. The city combines growth-oriented policies with open regulatory conditions, allowing foreigners to purchase real estate, for example. At the same time, Dubai is promoting blockchain and the tokenization of assets. In 2021, the Dubai Land Authority launched a pilot project for blockchain-based real estate tokenization to enable fractional ownership and give international investors access to this asset class. In this article, we explain the business models surrounding Dubai, tokens, and the future of investing, and why a company from Hamburg is causing a stir.
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