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 March 5th, 2026 | 07:30 CET
Between market panic and profit: What Almonty has in common with Apple and IBM
The war in Iran has long since become a conflagration in the Middle East, including energy price shocks. Trading on Tuesday was particularly typical of this market environment. The day perfectly reflects the psychological state of market participants. Driven by horror stories from the Middle East and concerns about a global energy crisis, many stocks experienced drastic fluctuations. But while many stocks are still under pressure, Almonty's share price revealed a pattern that experienced market participants interpret as a sign of relative strength. After initially falling sharply, the stock stabilized rapidly, pushing the price back up significantly before the close of trading. In periods of extreme uncertainty, investors are not looking for short-term speculation, but rather for companies with a unique market position, a crisis-proof margin structure, and operating potential based on irreplaceable resources. We draw historical comparisons and explain that even heavyweights such as IBM and Apple have had to weather headwinds in the past.
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Commented by Nico Popp on March 4th, 2026 | 07:05 CET
Uranium as a geopolitical bargaining chip after the Hormuz shock - Standard Uranium, Kazatomprom, and F3 Uranium in focus
The escalation in the Middle East, which culminated in a de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz following the death of Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has triggered a global energy shock. With around one-fifth of global oil consumption passing through this bottleneck, oil prices have skyrocketed. In their latest market forecasts, analysts at JPMorgan warn of scenarios in which the price could rise to USD 130 or, in extreme cases, up to USD 300 per barrel. This is hitting Asian industrial nations particularly hard and has ruthlessly exposed the vulnerability of international supply chains for fossil fuels. In this environment, uranium is becoming a decisive geopolitical bargaining chip, as nuclear power, at least since the recent conflagration in the Middle East, must no longer be seen merely as a measure of climate protection, but as an instrument of national security and energy sovereignty. We present three uranium companies and highlight which stocks are most interesting for investors.
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Commented by Nico Popp on March 3rd, 2026 | 07:40 CET
Paradigm shift in oncological dermatology: Vidac Pharma as an innovator, what are Almirall and Biofrontera doing?
Oncological dermatology is on the cusp of a revolution that could fundamentally change our understanding of cancer treatment. Persistence Market Research estimates that the global market for the treatment of actinic keratosis will reach a volume of around USD 7 billion by 2026. Analysts expect the market to grow to between USD 11.1 and 14.45 billion by the mid-2030s. This momentum is driven by the aging global population, cumulative UV exposure due to changing leisure habits, and increased awareness of the dangers of skin cancer. Currently, established industry giants such as Almirall and Biofrontera dominate the standard of care for actinic keratosis with their proven products. However, Vidac Pharma marks the transition from merely combating symptoms to a revolutionary procedure in oncological dermatology. This makes the company an opportunity for growth-oriented investors seeking access to a completely new class of drugs in the field of metabolic oncology.
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Commented by Nico Popp on March 3rd, 2026 | 07:15 CET
Silver as a crisis investment: Silver Viper, Fresnillo, and Pan American Silver offer strategic potential, but which stock is the best?
Silver supply has not been able to meet demand for some time now, and now chaos in the Middle East is adding to the problem. Military escalation in the region has triggered a chain of events that is shaking the foundations of global supply security. The direct conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran has long since spread to the entire region, highlighting the geopolitical vulnerability of international supply chains. With the launch of the "Epic Fury" military operation and Iran's subsequent attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, the risk of prolonged stagflation for the global economy is growing. In this volatile environment, precious metals are benefiting as a strategic asset class. While investors are increasingly turning to crisis investments, Mexico, in particular, is benefiting in the silver sector, offering a reliable environment thanks to its centuries-old mining tradition and geographical distance from the current trouble spots. We present exciting stocks and focus on the hidden gem Silver Viper.
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Commented by Nico Popp on March 2nd, 2026 | 07:30 CET
Great opportunities in Central Africa: DRC Gold, AngloGold Ashanti, and Gold Fields in Focus
We are witnessing a historic rally in the price of gold, which is fundamentally changing both the balance sheets of established corporations and the strategies of emerging explorers. As recent analyses by PwC and McKinsey show, the precious metal has evolved from a pure hedge against inflation to a strategic guarantee of security. Forecasts by leading investment banks Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan suggest that, in the wake of ongoing central bank purchases and currency devaluations, a rapid rise to as much as USD 6,300 per ounce by the end of the year is possible. Experts at State Street Global Advisors also point to the escalating global debt crisis as the primary driver of precious metal prices. In this phase, DRC Gold's realignment marks a decisive turning point in the development of African gold reserves. The company has acquired the option to acquire majority interests in the high-grade Giro and Nizi projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo through a binding agreement. This positions the explorer in the renowned Kilo-Moto greenstone belt in the immediate vicinity of the world-class Kibali mine, which is operated as a joint venture by AngloGold Ashanti, Barrick Mining, and the state-owned company SOKIMO, and allows it to leverage the pull of the industry giants for its own growth.
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Commented by Nico Popp on March 2nd, 2026 | 07:05 CET
Strategic raw materials: How Power Metallic Mines and FPX Nickel secure supply chains and what is important for Mercedes-Benz
The automotive industry is at a critical turning point where the availability of strategic metals is no longer just a question of price, but a basic prerequisite for the transformation to electric mobility. Vehicle manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz are consistently aligning their production with an "electric-only strategy" and placing the upstream value chain for nickel, copper, and platinum group metals at the center of their planning. Securing these essential raw materials must be done under the strictest environmental, social, and ethical criteria in order to optimize the carbon footprint of the high-performance batteries produced and to meet the requirements of investors and regulatory authorities. In this market environment, specific solution providers from Canada are emerging, serving the rapidly growing demand for clean and transparent raw materials with fundamentally different exploration approaches.
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Commented by Nico Popp on February 27th, 2026 | 07:35 CET
Dividend powerhouses like Kimberly-Clark and General Mills: How RE Royalties could benefit from AI
When it comes to investing, substance is set to regain importance in 2026, as JPMorgan Asset Management writes in its "2026 Year-Ahead Investment Outlook." The market environment is characterized by geopolitical fragmentation, while at the same time the rise of artificial intelligence is creating new structural demand for decentralized energy solutions. In this context, innovative revenue models such as royalties can form the foundation of a robust dividend portfolio. We present the established consumer goods giants Kimberly-Clark and General Mills, and also discuss innovative financing models in the renewable energy sector, as successfully implemented for years by the still relatively unknown company RE Royalties.
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Commented by Nico Popp on February 27th, 2026 | 07:20 CET
Valuation anomaly in the drone sector: Volatus Aerospace scores well compared to Ondas and Unusual Machines
Providers of drone technology are enjoying high demand. In Germany, two startups that did not exist just a few years ago have recently received orders from the German Armed Forces. Analysts describe the current phase as an "unmanned supercycle" – autonomous systems have long been considered indispensable for national security. Reports from institutes such as Fortune Business Insights forecast a market volume for drones of over USD 47 billion in 2026, which is expected to rise to over USD 160 billion by 2034. This increase is driven by an annual growth rate of around 16%, with the defense sector considered the growth engine due to geopolitical tensions. Amid this market development, a detailed valuation comparison reveals a significant discrepancy. It is worth investors taking a closer look.
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Commented by Nico Popp on February 27th, 2026 | 07:10 CET
Western antimony axis ensures returns: How Antimony Resources, US Antimony, and Hensoldt are securing defense capabilities
In the current tense geopolitical environment, securing global supply chains for critical minerals has become a matter of national security. Antimony is now at the heart of modern defense technology. With China's dominance in this area remaining unchallenged for decades and the country imposing far-reaching export restrictions, urgent action is needed. The West, led by the US and Canada, is currently building a self-sufficient supply chain, as analysts at the Boston Consulting Group emphasize in their publication on ecosystems in the supply chain for critical minerals. This chain extends from exploration in Canada to industrial scaling in the US to the final production of sensor systems in Europe and other industrialized countries. Antimony Resources, the United States Antimony Corporation, and Hensoldt play a critical role in Western defense. Consulting firms such as PwC have pointed out in their outlook for the current year that massive sums are flowing into the defense sector in North America to secure raw material sovereignty. We explain where the greatest opportunities for investors lie.
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Commented by Nico Popp on February 26th, 2026 | 07:40 CET
From penny stock to tech pioneer: How Aspermont is transforming the commodity data market with Rio Tinto – Informa as a role model
Data is the raw material for tomorrow's decisions. In an economy where algorithms and large language models (LLMs) rely on verified and structured information, access to high-quality archives determines competitiveness. Aspermont has recognized this need and is transforming itself from a traditional media company into a technology company in the field of data intelligence. With a cumulative brand archive covering over 200 years of mining history, the company has a comprehensive data set on the global commodities industry. With its Mining IQ platform, Aspermont is digitizing this historical knowledge and structuring it for AI applications. This realignment completes the company's fourth phase of technological development, which builds on 180 years of print publications and the digital media and content-as-a-service models. The quality of the data is ensured by more than 100 specialist journalists and analysts who provide qualitative input for the platform.
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