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 9th, 2026 | 07:25 CEST
Apple is joining the energy transition: OR Royalties as a model, RE Royalties as a beneficiary
Today, the financing of renewable energy increasingly relies on an instrument rooted in traditional mining. While established industry leaders like OR Royalties demonstrate through a diversified portfolio of precious and battery metal licenses how investment models can generate high margins without operational risks, RE Royalties is successfully adapting this concept for the renewable energy sector. The company finances solar, wind, and storage projects and, in return, secures long-term revenue shares, providing a predictable alternative to volatile commodity markets. This offering meets the strategic needs of tech giants like Apple, which, as part of its "Apple 2030" initiative, is investing heavily in clean energy projects to make its entire value chain climate-neutral. For investors, RE Royalties thus combines security and scalability in a unique business model.
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Commented by Nico Popp on April 9th, 2026 | 07:00 CEST
Focus on Copper and PGMs: Rio Tinto, Sibanye-Stillwater, and the Opportunity at Power Metallic Mines
Securing supplies of copper and platinum group metals (PGMs) is becoming increasingly important, as these elements are essential for both energy infrastructure and the hydrogen economy. Analyses by S&P Global and McKinsey forecast a rise in copper demand to 42 million metric tons by 2040, representing a 50% increase compared to 2025. At the same time, the International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that demand for hydrogen already reached approximately 100 million metric tons in 2024, driving the need for platinum and palladium in electrolysers. While major corporations like Rio Tinto are securing their market leadership by investing in massive copper projects to meet the industry's long-term needs, PGM specialist Sibanye-Stillwater is increasingly focusing on diversifying its portfolio toward polymetallic deposits in stable jurisdictions. It is in this environment that Power Metallic Mines operates its Nisk project in the Canadian province of Québec. Recent discoveries in the Lion Zone have confirmed exceptional copper grades exceeding 10% as well as significant PGM by-products. This quality in a world-class mining region makes the company attractive—both to investors speculating on strategic consolidations and to major corporations seeking world-class resources.
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Commented by Nico Popp on April 8th, 2026 | 07:20 CEST
Mitigating Risk, Capturing Opportunity: Pan American Silver and Franco-Nevada – Upside Potential at Globex Mining
In this volatile market environment, commodity investors are once again turning more heavily to safe havens to reduce their risks. While established producers like Pan American Silver are solidifying their market position by operating large mines in North and South America and taking full advantage of rising silver and gold prices, the royalty model has proven its worth on the financing front. Industry leaders such as Franco-Nevada have demonstrated for decades how a broadly diversified portfolio of royalties can generate consistent cash flows without having to bear the risks of active mining. Globex Mining operates in the same strategic niche with a portfolio of over 270 projects and 107 royalties, consistently focusing on politically stable jurisdictions such as Canada and the US. The combination of a strong cash position, stakes in partner companies such as Pan American Silver, and the steady generation of new royalties paints a clear picture: Globex Mining operates like a smaller-scale version of Franco-Nevada, offering investors both stability and growth opportunities. Since this agile project generator is even active in critical metals like antimony, investors should take a closer look at the company.
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Commented by Nico Popp on April 7th, 2026 | 07:25 CEST
Congo in Focus: Barrick and Ivanhoe Pave the Way for DRC Gold
The global mining industry is at a turning point—demand for new deposits is rising, while globalization is increasingly reaching its limits, making diversified and redundant supply chains essential. In this market environment, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has moved beyond its traditional role as a mere raw material supplier and is undergoing a significant transformation. The progress being made in the country is exemplified by the successes of companies like Barrick Mining and Ivanhoe Mines. Their multi-billion-dollar investments demonstrate that large-scale operations are indeed feasible in the DRC. The country's geological potential has once again drawn attention due to the recent record production at Barrick Mining's Kibali mine. While major corporations are successfully advancing projects in the DRC, junior explorers are also increasingly attracting investor attention. DRC Gold is capitalizing on this momentum and identifying new resources through drilling programs in close proximity to existing projects. Against the backdrop of declining reserves among major producers such as Barrick and Ivanhoe, the smaller company, led by German CEO Klaus Eckhof, offers an exciting opportunity to benefit from the new growth in the Congo.
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Commented by Nico Popp on April 2nd, 2026 | 07:50 CEST
Hydrogen as the Fuel of the Future: Linde Lays the Groundwork, Amazon Tests, and First Hydrogen Delivers the Solution
Is hydrogen on the verge of a breakthrough in logistics? Rising costs for fossil fuels are colliding with regulatory pressure and technological maturity. While battery-electric vehicles are already established in light urban delivery traffic, heavy payloads are also expected to be transported as CO2-neutrally as possible in the future. This is where pure battery technology reaches its limits in heavy, long-haul transport and intensive industrial logistics. Hydrogen is becoming increasingly important in this context, as it enables significantly longer ranges and shorter refueling times for intensive delivery operations compared to pure battery vehicles. While corporations like Linde are planning the necessary refueling infrastructure and hydrogen supply on a large scale, major fleet operators such as Amazon are increasingly exploring the use of fuel cells. In this market environment, First Hydrogen is positioning itself as a one-stop provider. With its light commercial vehicles, specifically developed for the demands of distribution transport and capable of ranges exceeding 600 km, as well as offerings centered on green hydrogen production, the company is striking a chord.
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Commented by Nico Popp on April 2nd, 2026 | 07:15 CEST
Nothing works without tungsten: Why the price surge continues and why SpaceX, Rheinmetall, and Almonty are in the spotlight
Instead of chasing digital pipe dreams, investors and industry are increasingly turning their attention to tangible commodities. The supply of critical metals is essential to our prosperity. In this new era, tungsten has taken on special strategic importance. With the highest melting point of any metal and a density exactly matching that of gold, the metal is an irreplaceable component in the defense industry, aerospace, and semiconductor manufacturing. The current market environment is characterized by a massive price surge compared to the previous year, with prices exploding from around USD 300 per MTU at the start of 2025 to over USD 2,750 per MTU today. Analysts at the trade magazine Mining Journal argue in detail in a recent analysis that this development is not a speculative bubble. Rather, the rally is driven by non-negotiable demand patterns and the physical depletion of global inventories. Unlike the silver bubble of 1980, this trend is supported by a multi-year delay in the commissioning of new Western production capacity, which is why the tight price environment is likely to persist for at least another two years. For Almonty, the only Western tungsten producer building relevant capacity within these two years, this represents a unique opportunity.
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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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