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 August 3rd, 2026 | 07:50 CEST
Gold Sector Remains Optimistic: How Kinross Gold and Orla Mining Are Securing the Future—and Lahontan Gold's Hidden Ace
"Gold. Power. Greed." That was the title of a recent documentary aired by German broadcaster ZDF, exploring the enduring appeal of the precious metal. Investors seeking returns from precious metals often turn their attention first to giants such as Barrick Mining and other major producers. Yet while new discoveries may have only a limited impact on the share prices of established mining companies, positive exploration results can drive a very different level of momentum among smaller players. Agile exploration companies that can supply the processing plants of major producers—thanks to fresh capital, prime locations, and manageable costs—promise dynamic upside potential, as recently highlighted in the ZDF documentary. We introduce three exciting companies and highlight where investors can expect strong momentum.
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Commented by Nico Popp on August 3rd, 2026 | 07:35 CEST
Green Steel Marks a Turning Point: How Rio Tinto and Champion Iron Are Struggling with Logistics – Strategic Resources as a Beacon of Hope
When steel mills are running at full capacity, the industry is satisfied—at least that was the case for many decades. Nowadays, however, what exactly goes into the furnaces is becoming increasingly important. The transition to low-emission steel is increasingly challenging traditional supply chains. Companies that want to produce sustainably and "green" today need clean raw materials. The major players in the steel industry have already recognized this. Raw material producers must therefore also rethink their approach. Innovative companies from Canada have recognized the signs of the times and are fully committed to meeting the steel industry's new requirements. We shine a spotlight on this development and introduce some exciting companies.
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Commented by Nico Popp on August 1st, 2026 | 07:00 CEST
The AI Revolution in the SMB Sector: Salesforce and Oracle Serve Large Enterprises, Miivo AI Takes the Burden Off SMBs
Created and Published on Behalf of Miivo AI Inc.
The shift from rigid spreadsheets and static forms to intelligent AI agents is fundamentally reshaping the workplace. For years, employees dutifully entered data into CRM and accounting software to generate reports at the end of each month. But the era of passive software is coming to an end. Autonomous AI agents are increasingly taking over complex workflows and extracting far greater value from business databases. While technology heavyweights such as Salesforce and Oracle are rebuilding their multi-billion-dollar platforms and surprising their customers with increasingly complex pricing models, a massive growth market is emerging in the background. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), in particular, are searching for AI tools that allow them to benefit from the productivity revolution as well. Miivo AI is targeting exactly this market. We provide an overview of the opportunities and the potential this emerging sector has to offer.
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Commented by Nico Popp on July 30th, 2026 | 09:40 CEST
Hydrogen Shake-Up: How NEL and Plug Power Are Streamlining Their Operations as dynaCERT Enters a Pivotal Phase
When heavy-duty trucks and massive mining equipment operate at full capacity for hours on end, they burn vast amounts of fossil fuels. While the energy and industrial sectors continue to push the transition towards cleaner alternatives, at least judging by media coverage, challenging conditions in the mining industry, high interest rates and economic uncertainty continue to delay many ambitious climate projects. Companies that are unable or unwilling to make large-scale investments are therefore looking for transitional solutions that can reduce operating costs while at least partially lowering emissions. We take a closer look at three companies that are well positioned to benefit from this trend.
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Commented by Nico Popp on July 30th, 2026 | 09:30 CEST
SpaceX's Environmental Mess, Occidental Petroleum's Battle Against Windmills, and Zefiro Methane's Billion-Dollar Opportunity
When SpaceX's rockets soar toward orbit, the public gazes spellbound at the evening sky. The fact that rocket launches release enormous amounts of greenhouse gases is only noted critically in passing. Yet even SpaceX is doing everything it can to reduce its environmental footprint. There is still plenty of potential for savings right here on Earth. Plugging abandoned and orphaned wells from the oil and gas industry is one such opportunity. If these avoided emissions are systematically tracked and converted into carbon credits, this would build a bridge between the traditional oil and gas industry and the space sector. We shed light on this development and show where investors can look for opportunities.
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Commented by Nico Popp on July 29th, 2026 | 07:45 CEST
Battery Metals Bottleneck: Volkswagen and BHP Under Pressure as Power Metallic Mines Faces Weeks of Truth
Electric vehicles are becoming an increasingly common sight on German roads, driven in part by the arrival of aggressively priced models from China. However, the rapid growth of electric mobility is placing mounting pressure on automotive supply chains. Automakers are grappling with volatile markets while becoming increasingly concerned about securing reliable access to critical raw materials. Commodities are no longer viewed as readily available inputs but as strategic assets essential to industrial competitiveness. This complex situation calls for new alliances: mining companies, major automakers, and dynamic project developers are pulling out all the stops to secure raw materials for the future.
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Commented by Nico Popp on July 29th, 2026 | 07:05 CEST
Big Money in Sustainability – SAP and Siemens Energy Are Raking It In – RE Royalties Delivers a 10% Dividend
The transition to clean electricity is not failing for lack of will, but because of the enormous practical hurdles. While the rise of artificial intelligence is fueling demand for green energy, existing power grids worldwide are reaching their limits. At the same time, smaller project developers in this niche are grappling with financing and regulatory issues, while industrial conglomerates are required to disclose their carbon footprints with ever-greater transparency. Investors looking to capitalize on this complex situation must understand the various players and the challenges they face. We provide an overview and introduce a little-known hidden gem.
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Commented by Nico Popp on July 28th, 2026 | 07:35 CEST
Hydrogen Setback: BASF and Linde Focus on Large-Scale Projects—Could Decentralized Solutions Put A.H.T. Syngas in the Spotlight?
The energy transition is unstoppable. Even industrial companies can no longer avoid finding innovative solutions involving synthesis gas or hydrogen. To meet the rapidly rising demand for green hydrogen in particular, policymakers and corporations are relying on pipelines and large-scale projects. The European RED III directive requires the chemical industry to achieve a 42% share of green hydrogen by 2030—which, according to market researchers, will require investments in the double-digit billions. However, since the expansion of Germany's pipeline network is proceeding slowly, many companies are facing a supply gap. The industry is addressing this gap in two ways: large corporations are focusing on large-scale solutions, while specialized providers such as A.H.T. Syngas are advancing decentralized solutions. We examine the situation and highlight opportunities.
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Commented by Nico Popp on July 27th, 2026 | 07:35 CEST
China's Export Restrictions: German Industry Must Invest in Raw Materials. How VW and Rheinmetall Respond & Why Aspermont Could Benefit
For decades, raw materials were commodities in the truest sense of the word—interchangeable goods purchased at the lowest possible price. But in recent years, security of supply has evolved from a procurement issue into a decisive factor for the survival of Western industry. Depending on the sector, shortages can threaten entire business models. To reduce the risks posed by geopolitical tensions, volatile commodity prices and increasingly stringent sustainability requirements, industrial companies are taking a much closer look at their raw material supply chains. Some are investing directly in mining projects, while others are forming strategic partnerships. In either case, access to reliable information on mining projects and the conditions across the value chain is essential for assessing supply risks. Aspermont, a specialist provider of mining and commodities intelligence, could be well positioned to benefit from this shift.
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Commented by Nico Popp on July 27th, 2026 | 07:15 CEST
The Drone Revolution: Palantir and Lockheed Martin Forced to Innovate—Volatus Aerospace Follows Ukraine's Lead
The days when tanks weighing several metric tons or extremely expensive fighter jets determined victory or defeat on the battlefield are over. As a look at modern warfare shows, it is now primarily the seamless interaction between hardware and software that determines actual success. Those who cannot coordinate algorithms and sensor technology in real time will fall behind. Ukraine is currently demonstrating this impressively, as it now launches more drones for counterattacks against Russia than the aggressor itself. This illustrates that, for NATO, security also means building an agile defence industry that can respond flexibly to requirements. We take a look at three companies in the industry and highlight opportunities.
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