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 14th, 2025 | 07:10 CEST
High flyers are emerging here: NetraMark, Bechtle, Adesso
Sometimes you need an outside opinion. Consulting firms have been cashing in on this for decades. Especially when it comes to new technologies, fresh external input makes sense. McKinsey consultants estimate that the rapid deployment of modern technology alone can lead to productivity gains of 3% - year after year. No wonder, then, that external service providers are in demand in an increasing number of industries and are creating added value. We explain the opportunities these companies can offer investors.
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Commented by Nico Popp on August 13th, 2025 | 07:00 CEST
50% upside potential – And what lies beyond? Almonty, Hensoldt, and MP Materials
This is a week of truth for Ukraine. However, there are many indications that no resolution will be reached by Friday: the global power blocs continue to face off against each other, and security will continue to dominate the international agenda. More and more investors are realizing this and understand that defense is much more than just a passing trend. In line with this shift in perception, several respected research firms have recently published studies on Almonty Industries. As the only significant Western tungsten producer, Almonty plays a crucial strategic role, particularly as the US will ban the use of Chinese tungsten for military purposes starting in 2027. Here, we outline what this means for investors today and why the conditions for Almonty are unique.
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Commented by Nico Popp on August 12th, 2025 | 07:05 CEST
Where big tech fails and new opportunities arise: Amazon, Apple, MiMedia
The major tech players dream of the distant future and, in doing so, neglect their bread-and-butter business of serving everyday customers. One example is personal cloud storage and media management. According to market researchers at Thread Gold Consulting, 2.3 billion people are already using such services today. By 2031, the market is expected to grow by 24% annually, reaching USD 366 billion. Industry giants like Apple and Amazon offer cloud storage only within their own ecosystems. White label products? Not a chance! We explain the lucrative investment niche that is emerging in cloud services and how investors can benefit from it.
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Commented by Nico Popp on August 11th, 2025 | 07:15 CEST
Platform strategies are shaking up the biotech market: BioNxt, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Evotec
In biotech, the all-or-nothing principle no longer applies. Instead of offering just one product, the platform economy is becoming the norm in the development of tomorrow's active ingredients. What does this mean? Companies are working together, sharing their technology, and thereby reducing their dependence on individual projects. Since each player can focus on its core competencies, new active ingredients are brought to market faster, and even innovations in niche areas can gain significant traction thanks to strong partners. We explain what platform economics means in the biotech sector and how investors can benefit from it.
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Commented by Nico Popp on August 11th, 2025 | 07:05 CEST
Concrete 2.0 brings returns to your portfolio – Holcim, Cemex, Argo Graphene Solutions
Better and greener at the same time? Yes, it is possible - with modern building materials! According to a study by the UN Environment Programme, 37% of global CO2 emissions come from the construction industry. At the same time, infrastructure around the world is considered to be in a state of disrepair. Germany alone plans to spend hundreds of billions to tackle the backlog of repairs to bridges, roads, and networks. Innovative building materials are just what is needed. In this article, we highlight current industry trends, explain how additives make building materials both better and greener, and highlight which building material stocks offer the greatest leverage.
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Commented by Nico Popp on August 8th, 2025 | 07:05 CEST
Thinking locally opens up new possibilities: SAP, Meta Platforms, naoo
Digital communication is bringing the world closer together. Our friends may live all over the world, yet we can still share even the smallest moments with them. Being connected does not just help bridge long distances - it also brings people together in our immediate surroundings. Networks can foster friendships or spark new business opportunities locally as well. Using the business models of SAP, Meta, and naoo, we show how technology is changing things locally and making the world a better place.
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Commented by Nico Popp on August 7th, 2025 | 07:25 CEST
Hydrogen turnaround? Bad news from Africa: First Hydrogen, thyssenkrupp nucera, BASF
According to a report in Der Spiegel, producing green hydrogen in Africa for export to Europe could be more expensive than previously thought. This is indicated by research conducted by scientists from the Technical University of Munich, Oxford, and ETH Zurich. According to the study, only 2% of around 10,000 sites examined across 31 African countries could produce at competitive costs by 2030. The reason lies in financing. Depending on the country in Africa, financing costs range between 8% and 27%, which is too high to remain competitive. Instead of the planned price guarantees of EUR 3 per kg of hydrogen, the EU would have to guarantee EUR 5 to ensure a reliable flow of hydrogen from Africa to Europe. What does this mean now for the European hydrogen economy?
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Commented by Nico Popp on August 7th, 2025 | 07:05 CEST
The most stable trend in the world: Kraft Heinz, Nestlé, Veganz
When market uncertainty makes stability in your portfolio a priority, experienced investors often turn to stocks in the consumer staples or food sectors. However, even the food market is highly competitive—products from the 1980s hardly attract customers today or require constant marketing spending. Instead, growth is now only possible through innovation. Here is how the major food multinationals are responding to tomorrow's trends and why private investors may have a head start on the corporations when it comes to Veganz shares.
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Commented by Nico Popp on August 6th, 2025 | 07:00 CEST
Penny stocks with multiplier potential: Volkswagen, CATL, Pasinex Resources
The whole world is talking about critical metals. Base metals are falling through the cracks a little in the short term. But it is definitely worth considering base metals like zinc from an investor's perspective. After all, they are called "base" metals because they are urgently needed across many sectors and consumed on a large scale. According to the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS), zinc is the fourth most mined metal in the world. What sounds like abundance is not the case. The International Zinc Association reports that annual zinc consumption will increase by around 700,000 tons by 2030. It is questionable whether supply can keep pace. Stocks like Pasinex Resources could benefit from this imbalance thanks to a unique business model.
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Commented by Nico Popp on August 5th, 2025 | 07:05 CEST
Shocking report in the WSJ – China cuts off the West from antimony: Hensoldt, Covestro, and Antimony Resources
"China is curbing supplies of critical metals to the Western defense industry," headlines the Wall Street Journal in an article published on Sunday. The article highlights several cases in which China has deliberately delayed deliveries of critical metals. Such delays can lead to production losses and hit the industry hard. In addition to rare earths, the article also mentions antimony. According to the article, a shipment of 55 tons of antimony from Australia to Mexico has been held up for three months at the Chinese port of Ningbo – an unprecedented measure that has raised global concern. We explain what antimony is used for and introduce a Canadian antimony company that is gradually coming to the attention of the public.
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