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 16th, 2026 | 05:26 CEST
B2Gold, Barrick Mining and Desert Gold: Gold rush despite geopolitical hurdles
Gold production in Mali is booming. According to data from the mining ministry reported by Reuters, industrial gold production rose by around 30% to 23.5 tonnes in the first half of 2026, exceeding the government's forecast despite logistical difficulties and geopolitical tensions. While major gold producers, many of which also have projects in Mali, negotiate with the government and make strategic decisions, a nimble exploration company is advancing its large-scale project in the immediate vicinity. We examine the situation in Mali and explain how Desert Gold is progressing towards production at its SMSZ property.
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Commented by Nico Popp on October 15th, 2026 | 05:31 CEST
Gold Rush in Côte d’Ivoire: Kobo Resources Drills in the Shadow of Endeavour Mining and Fortuna Mining
Côte d'Ivoire is emerging as the growth engine of the African gold industry. While neighbouring countries such as Mali and Burkina Faso face geopolitical upheaval, the country stands out for reliable permitting and direct connections to power grids and major roads. The government aims to increase annual gold production significantly within a decade, from 59 tons in 2025 to 100 tons. According to Mining Minister Sangafowa-Coulibaly, a refinery with a capacity of around 100 tons of gold is also set to begin operations in Abidjan by the end of the first half of 2027. After an all-time high of USD 5,589 in January 2026 and a correction to just below USD 4,000 in June, gold is once again trading well above that level, delivering high margins for producers. We examine the developments and highlight opportunities.
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Commented by Nico Popp on October 14th, 2026 | 05:22 CEST
High-Purity Pellets: How Strategic Resources Could Solve Steel’s Challenges – and How thyssenkrupp and Rio Tinto Respond
Europe's steel industry faces a dilemma: the costs of the sustainable transformation are rising, while regulatory requirements are becoming increasingly stringent. Some flagship hydrogen-based steel projects have already significantly exceeded their budgets. At the same time, the European Union (EU) is tightening its import rules. The industry's technological future depends heavily on high-purity iron ore pellets, a key raw material for modern direct reduction plants. We examine the challenges facing the sector and highlight potential opportunities.
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Commented by Nico Popp on October 13th, 2026 | 05:34 CEST
Nevada’s M&A Carousel Is Spinning: Newmont, Barrick Mining and Lahontan Gold Reposition Themselves
Within a month, the gold price fell about 7% to USD 4,136 per ounce. Despite this correction, transaction pace in Nevada's Walker Lane trend remains high. Major mining groups are using the still-attractive price level to clean up their balance sheets. At the same time, agile development companies are securing strategically important properties through targeted acquisitions. The rationale is clear: Acquiring existing ounces in the ground is often cheaper than making new discoveries. Astute investors can benefit from developments in Nevada.
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Commented by Nico Popp on October 9th, 2026 | 07:05 CEST
HPQ Silicon, Rheinmetall and Wacker Chemie: Silicon Batteries for the French Military?
Digitalization is also making its way into the defence sector. This is evident, not least, from developments in Ukraine. Modern communication devices, networked combat operations, and constant data streams are driving up power consumption even among infantry units. Existing graphite-based batteries are reaching their limits, and every additional gram of equipment restricts mobility in the field. Switching to silicon-based anodes promises longer operational times without adding weight. We examine this development and highlight opportunities for investors.
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Commented by Nico Popp on October 8th, 2026 | 07:40 CEST
ExxonMobil, Shell and Zefiro Methane: EU Considers Postponing Methane Regulations—US Well Remediation Market Grows Regardless
Created and Published on Behalf of Zefiro Methane Corp.
The European Commission plans to postpone the proposed methane reporting requirements for oil and gas imports by one year. Member states and the European Parliament must still approve this. Regardless, the market for remediating orphaned wells is growing in the US. Specialized service providers are plugging dilapidated production wells, largely financed through government programs. Regulation is by no means the only driver: Methane continuously escapes from countless abandoned wells, creating local pressure to act. We explain the situation and highlight the companies profiting from it.
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Commented by Nico Popp on October 8th, 2026 | 07:00 CEST
Tungsten Supply Crisis: Almonty Reshapes Defense Supply Chains – Rheinmetall Needs Reliable Sources, Tungsten West Wins Funding
Requirements from the US Department of Defense are forcing Western industry to rethink its approach to critical raw materials: Starting in January 2027, US procurement regulations will prohibit the use of Chinese-sourced tungsten in tungsten powders, heavy alloys, and defense components manufactured from them, and will require a complete chain of custody traceability back to the mining site. According to the US Geological Survey, China controls about 80% of global mine production and, due to export controls, has recently even become a net importer of tungsten metal and ore. As a result, the defense industry faces an acute supply shortage. Producers outside China are doing everything they can to secure long-term supply chains for Western customers. As a leading tungsten company, Almonty stands out in particular with promising projects and a full pipeline.
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Commented by Nico Popp on October 7th, 2026 | 09:15 CEST
Aspermont, S&P Global and Alphabet: Specialized Data Poses a Challenge Even for Tech Giants
Generative artificial intelligence is fundamentally changing how information is obtained and siphoning organic web traffic away from traditional media platforms. As search engines utilize AI-generated answers, such as AI Overviews, the traditional advertising business of websites is losing its foundation. Publishers are becoming increasingly dependent on others, but specialized B2B information providers are carving out a lucrative niche. Deep industry knowledge built up over time still offers added value, as it is indispensable for reliable industrial applications and not easily replaceable. We shed light on this trend and highlight some exciting companies.
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Commented by Nico Popp on October 7th, 2026 | 07:00 CEST
RE Royalties, NextEra Energy and First Solar: Royalties as a Financing Alternative in the US Solar Market
Regulation is reshaping the US solar market. With tax reform significantly reducing government incentives or tying them to strict deadlines, numerous projects are being put on hold. At the same time, tariffs that can exceed 200% depending on the manufacturer are making Chinese modules less attractive and putting further pressure on the US solar market as a whole. Major industry players are cushioning these cost increases through long-term supply agreements. However, developers of decentralized systems are coming under pressure due to tight liquidity. This is creating opportunities for alternative capital providers such as RE Royalties. We take a closer look at these developments and examine the opportunities and risks.
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Commented by Nico Popp on October 6th, 2026 | 07:45 CEST
Canada's Billion-Dollar Drone Race: How Volatus Aerospace and Draganfly Are Challenging US Giant AeroVironment
To reduce its dependence on defence imports, the Canadian government under Prime Minister Carney is pushing to build its own drone industry, prioritizing domestic suppliers over future US imports. This reorientation is forcing domestic manufacturers to take action: For both civilian and military contractors, the key question now is who can reliably scale up the planned mass production. We take a look at this development and its key players.
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