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 February 26th, 2026 | 07:15 CET
Opportunities thanks to industrial transformation: The closed value chain of CHAR Technologies, PyroGenesis, and BASF
When it comes to the climate-neutral transformation of industry, the current phase marks the transition from strategic planning to operational implementation for many companies. According to recent publications by McKinsey and the International Energy Agency (IEA), about half of the required reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050 depends on the provision of alternative heat sources for the production of basic industrial materials such as steel, cement, and chemicals. The regulatory framework in Europe and North America is defined by the Emissions Trading System (ETS) and stricter standards for the circular economy, which increases the financial pressure on CO2-intensive processes. In this environment, the thermal decomposition of organic materials in the absence of oxygen, known as pyrolysis, is becoming increasingly popular as a means of recovering energy from waste streams and utilizing them as carbon sinks. CHAR Technologies, PyroGenesis, and BASF play an important role in this context, ranging from decentralized waste recovery to specialized plant engineering and industrial applications.
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Commented by Nico Popp on February 26th, 2026 | 07:05 CET
Hydrogen transition: How dynaCERT, Plug Power, and Ballard Power Systems are decarbonizing the transportation sector
The market for hydrogen-powered logistics is set to reach a volume of USD 32.47 billion in 2026 and is expected to grow to USD 204.9 billion by the end of the decade. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that global demand for hydrogen was nearly 100 million tons last year, but less than 1% of that came from low-emission sources. In the US, tariffs on electrolysers and fuel cells, ranging from 10% to 30%, are forcing the industry to build local supply chains. In Europe, the REPowerEU plan, together with the EU hydrogen strategy, creates a stable framework for investment in infrastructure. However, an immediate and comprehensive replacement of the global heavy-duty fleet with completely emission-free vehicles would be difficult to achieve and also economically nonsensical. Instead, companies are preparing to retrofit existing fleets or promote the hydrogen transition in other ways.
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Commented by Nico Popp on February 25th, 2026 | 08:20 CET
Nuclear comeback offers opportunities: Standard Uranium, Cameco, and Denison Mines dominate the Athabasca Basin
As the world experiences a return to nuclear power, Canada's Athabasca Basin in the province of Saskatchewan is becoming more than ever the strategic heart of global uranium supply. Reports from the International Energy Agency (IEA) officially herald the "age of electrification," in which nuclear energy is transforming from a transitional solution to an indispensable pillar—thanks to climate neutrality. This development is driven by the growing energy demands of artificial intelligence and modern IT infrastructure. Studies by McKinsey and the IEA consistently show that the electricity demand of global data centers is expected to triple by 2030. In view of these fundamental market dynamics, analysts at the World Nuclear Association (WNA) have set the ambitious goal of significantly expanding global nuclear capacity over the next 25 years. In this environment, Standard Uranium is positioning itself as one of the most active and precise explorers, using technologically advanced methods to identify undiscovered corridors in the shadows of industry giants. The company operates in close proximity to the big players and offers investors maximum leverage on the price of uranium in the safest and richest uranium region in the world.
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Commented by Nico Popp on February 25th, 2026 | 07:15 CET
Seizing Defense Billions Now: How NEO Battery Materials Could Enhance Systems from Rheinmetall and Hensoldt
The world's security architecture is no longer what it once was: the future of defense is autonomous, networked, and energy-hungry. Military superiority is no longer determined primarily by the sheer number of deployed units, but by the synergy of autonomous mobility, sensor intelligence, and the corresponding energy capacities. In this environment, players such as Rheinmetall are equipping the next generation of military equipment with autonomous vehicles and drones. At the same time, Hensoldt is providing the necessary intelligence for today's battlefield through high-performance sensor technology and AI-supported radar systems such as the TRML-4D. According to reports from platforms such as Radartutorial.eu, these systems are capable of detecting up to 1,500 targets simultaneously within a radius of 250 km and processing data in fractions of a second. In the field of power supply for unmanned aerial systems, the Canadian-South Korean company NEO Battery Materials is positioning itself to drive a potential breakthrough.
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Commented by Nico Popp on February 25th, 2026 | 07:05 CET
The 'Apple moment' of strategic metals! How Almonty Industries is securing Western sovereignty and emulating Glencore and Rio Tinto
The mining industry is going through a phase that could be described as the 'Apple moment' of strategic metals. Similar to how Apple ushered in a new technological era two decades ago by combining proprietary hardware and closed software architecture, Almonty Industries now occupies a key position for NATO's industrial and military sovereignty. While the public focus has long been on digitalization, critical raw materials are now moving to the center of the geopolitical power architecture. In this context, tungsten has become as indispensable to the modern defense and semiconductor industries as the operating system is to smartphones.
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Commented by Nico Popp on February 24th, 2026 | 07:30 CET
Commodity investments: Why Globex Mining is the hidden gem next to Barrick Mining and MP Materials
The global economy is undergoing a fundamental shift from an era of free trade to an era of scarcity. Commodities are no longer mere trade goods, but instruments of national security and expressions of geopolitical power. The US government's announcement that it will create an exclusive commodity trading bloc demonstrates this. At the same time, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has heralded the age of electrification, in which demand for copper, rare earths, lithium, and antimony is rising to historic highs due to the expansion of global data centers for artificial intelligence and the decarbonization of industry. S&P Global forecasts a copper deficit of 10 million tons by 2040. China continues to control over 50% of refined copper production and dominates the supply of 19 out of 20 critical minerals. This concentration is forcing Western countries and investors to rethink their strategies. We present options that have received little attention so far.
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Commented by Nico Popp on February 24th, 2026 | 07:10 CET
Securing raw materials in Europe: How Avrupa Minerals, Altius Minerals, and Elemental Royalty Corporation are organizing supply chains
The EU is looking for domestic sources of copper, zinc, and strategic metals to secure its industrial base. Recent analyses by the European Court of Auditors show a dependence on imports for 10 of 26 critical minerals needed for the energy transition and modern defense systems. Despite the Critical Raw Materials Act, which aims to increase domestic production to 10% of demand, auditors identify bottlenecks in the financing and practical implementation of the requirements. At the same time, consultancies such as McKinsey are forecasting a significant increase in demand for materials for the energy transition, with annual growth rates in the single-digit percentage range through 2035. In this environment, specialized players are positioning themselves to provide access to deposits and manage capital risks for investors. We present three companies with a focus on Avrupa Minerals.
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Commented by Nico Popp on February 24th, 2026 | 06:55 CET
Silver North Resources: The high-grade bet in the slipstream of giants Hecla Mining and Silvercorp Metals
The silver market is currently undergoing a fundamental transformation that goes far beyond the precious metal's traditional role as a substitute currency. This turning point is characterized by the divergence between robust industrial demand and a geological shortage of high-grade resources. New discoveries in world-class districts are thus becoming rare and sought-after events for investors. These market dynamics are accompanied by technological developments: modern architecture for artificial intelligence, such as Nvidia's Rubin and Blackwell chipsets, have a power consumption of over 1,000 watts and generate enormous demand for silver-based thermal materials. As this silver is permanently withdrawn from the market and the transition in the photovoltaic industry to new N-type cells further fuels consumption, the industry is experiencing its sixth consecutive year of significant supply shortages. After a period of exaggeration with peaks of over USD 120 per ounce, the market has currently consolidated at USD 70 to USD 80. Based on this level, profitable producers and promising exploration bets in North America are becoming interesting again for investors.
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Commented by Nico Popp on February 23rd, 2026 | 07:20 CET
New valuation level ahead? How Volatus Aerospace is rising to become a system supplier in the shadow of DroneShield and AgEagle Aerial Systems
The threat to critical infrastructure and national borders is completely reshaping the budgets of Western governments: today's wars are no longer fought with tanks, but with unmanned aerial systems and intelligent surveillance technology. Canada has responded to this reality with a new defense industry strategy that aims to end its dependence on foreign military equipment. The Ottawa government's stated goal is to award 70% of future procurement contracts to domestic companies, thereby creating demand for local producers. In this environment, Volatus Aerospace is transforming itself from a service provider to a systemically important technology producer for national security.
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Commented by Nico Popp on February 23rd, 2026 | 07:05 CET
Reserves at their limit: Why Newmont and Barrick Mining depend on developers such as Lahontan Gold
The price of gold is hitting new highs, driven by global debt of over USD 340 trillion and the devaluation of fiat currencies. Analysts at JPMorgan forecast an average gold price of USD 5,055 per ounce by the end of 2026. In this market environment, gold mine operators are seeing revenue and EBITDA growth. Nevertheless, producers face a massive problem: they are extracting the precious metal faster than they can discover new deposits. The procurement of new resources in reliable jurisdictions has become a matter of operational survival for players in industry. We present a promising stock that aims to make great strides in 2026.
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