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 September 26th, 2025 | 07:20 CEST
One-stop shop – Battery metals from a single source: Umicore, BASF, Power Metallic Mines
Anyone who is often in a rush knows the challenge after work: just a quick trip to the store. In such cases, we usually head to our trusted supermarket, where we can find all the products we need in one place. The same principle applies in mining. Complex products, such as modern high-performance batteries for electric vehicles, require a wide range of metals. Polymetallic deposits are therefore in particularly high demand – they are like the familiar neighborhood supermarket for industrial customers. We explain why Power Metallic Mines has the potential to become a one-stop shop for potential major customers such as Umicore and BASF.
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 23rd, 2025 | 07:10 CEST
The AI doctor in your pocket: PanGenomic Health, Bayer, CVS Health
Healthcare costs are a pressing political issue worldwide - in Germany, for example, debates are resurfacing over co-payments and the requirement to see a general practitioner first. This drives more people to self-medicate. The situation is even more extreme in the US: without mandatory insurance and facing extremely high healthcare costs, almost 9% of the population is uninsured, and around 33% is underinsured, leading many citizens to turn to alternative solutions. We examine business models related to increasing personal responsibility in healthcare, with a special focus on a smaller-cap stock.
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 23rd, 2025 | 07:00 CEST
What MASH could do for your portfolio: BioNxt, Roche, Novo Nordisk
Have you heard of MASH? The acronym stands for metabolic-associated steatohepatitis, which was previously simply called "fatty liver." Medications targeting this disease, which studies suggest affects around 6% of Americans, are being hailed as the next big trend in the biotech market. Overall, one in three overweight individuals is affected. Since many patients initially show no symptoms, MASH is considered particularly insidious. The growing discussion around the condition could turn many at-risk individuals into patients who take medication, which is excellent news for certain companies in the sector. For a small-cap stock, the hype surrounding MASH could even be transformative.
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 22nd, 2025 | 07:15 CEST
Serbians don't want mines – Are Europe's battery supply chains at risk? BYD, BMW and European Lithium
A recent article in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) reveals that the vast majority of Serbians oppose lithium mining in the country. The Journal for International Politics and Society cites a survey according to which 55% of Serbians are against a lithium mine in the Jardar Valley – only 25% are in favor of it. The latest media report paints an even bleaker picture. According to the report, the various population groups in Serbia have rarely been as united as they are in their opposition to the mine. But what does this mean for European battery supply chains? Which companies will be penalized, and which will benefit? We analyze the situation.
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 22nd, 2025 | 07:05 CEST
Tenfold increase on the Horizon – Things could move fast: Boeing, Larvotto Resources and Antimony Resources
When fires break out in high-rise buildings, vehicles, or aircraft, they can quickly become life-threatening. Fire protection materials have been used for many years to contain fires. Antimony is a key component in these materials. Around 42% of global demand is accounted for by antimony-based flame retardants in composite materials. But antimony also plays an important role in armaments and is found in armor-piercing ammunition, night vision devices, infrared sensors, and communication equipment. With China controlling around 70% of the market, according to Future Markets Insights, the need for alternative sources is growing. We take a closer look at the market and highlight some exciting stocks.
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 18th, 2025 | 07:05 CEST
Understanding metabolism, generating returns: Vidac Pharma, Roche, AstraZeneca
In the search for new treatments against diseases, researchers agree on one thing: the holy grail is unlikely to be found. Instead, it is incremental improvements and combination therapies that promise progress in complex diseases such as cancer. Cell metabolism is considered a promising approach, for example, in cancer, when the metabolism of a cancer cell is disrupted, the cell dies. In this article, we present current approaches and also discuss a biotechnology company that is wholly dedicated to cellular metabolism.
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 17th, 2025 | 07:30 CEST
Bundesbank causes a sensation in the silver market: Silver North Resources, Fresnillo, Wheaton Precious Metals
Silver prices continue to rise. As a result, the face value of German silver coins is now also increasing—otherwise, the gap between the face value and the actual material value of the investment coins would become too significant. This upward trend is driven both by growing global uncertainty and increasing industrial demand. In addition to the photovoltaic and chip industries, silver is also increasingly being used in defense applications. We present three companies from the silver sector and highlight investment opportunities.
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 17th, 2025 | 07:00 CEST
Tokenization as an efficiency booster: Finexity, London Stock Exchange, eToro
Digitalization has fundamentally changed the way we invest. What began decades ago with the rise of online brokers is now continuing with tokenized assets and the use of AI. As the CFA Institute writes, the use of blockchain technology means faster transactions, less settlement friction, and ultimately lower costs. Innovative companies around the world are setting out to offer these advantages to better serve their customers, which is also good news for investors. We take a closer look at the business models of Finexity, the London Stock Exchange, and eToro in the field of tokenization.
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 16th, 2025 | 07:15 CEST
Defense industry expands – New growth drivers: Hensoldt, Almonty and Rheinmetall
An industry once largely overlooked by the public is now dominating the headlines. On Monday, it was announced that Rheinmetall will acquire the Marine Division of the Bremen-based Lürssen Group. This includes the Blohm + Voss shipyards, the Norderwerft shipyard in Hamburg, the Peene shipyard, and the Neue Jadewerft shipyard in Wilhelmshaven. This move underscores how the defense industry is venturing into new domains. Meanwhile, tensions between Russia and NATO continue to escalate. The drones that flew over Poland last week are considered by experts to be a serious provocation. In this context, we take a closer look at three high-flyers in the defense industry and highlight where investors may find the greatest opportunities.
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 15th, 2025 | 07:15 CEST
No more diet injections! Innovations in weight loss drugs: BioNxt Solutions, Merck & Co., Novo Nordisk
As recently reported by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), for the first time, more children worldwide are obese than underweight. While this is a great success in the fight against hunger, it also poses new risks. Severe overweight in childhood leads to obesity and associated diseases in adulthood, such as cardiovascular problems and diabetes. The treatment of overweight and diabetes in children is therefore likely to play an even more significant role in the future. GLP-1 receptor agonists have been popular for several years now in the form of modern weight loss injections. With patents expiring soon, experts anticipate substantial further growth and development in this rapidly expanding market. We explain who could benefit and what the future holds for modern diet medications.
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