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 25th, 2026 | 07:40 CEST
Drone Warfare Reshuffles the Deck: Rheinmetall Struggles, DroneShield Reinvents Itself and Volatus Aerospace Passes the First Blind Flight
A switch is flipped, and suddenly drones that were once feared lose their bearings. On battlefields around the world, a simple frequency jamming is often enough to disable the GPS navigation systems widely used in drones completely. This situation is forcing the entire drone industry to rethink its approach and is opening up new opportunities. Those who can navigate reliably despite jammers are prepared for the future. We present the latest developments at Rheinmetall, DroneShield and Volatus Aerospace.
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 25th, 2026 | 06:55 CEST
Germany: A Quantum Champion? How Aqarios Quantum Technologies Is Winning Over BASF, E.ON and IBM – Innovations at Quantum eMotion and Amazon
The world is becoming increasingly complex — a statement few would disagree with. Take a closer look at the inner workings of logistics, manufacturing or even data centres, and the complexity becomes even more apparent. The reason is simple: ever-increasing amounts of data. Traditional computers are reaching their limits in the face of this new reality. But a solution exists: quantum computing. Quantum technology is moving from universities into real-world applications. Quantum computing is evolving from a research topic into a tool for creating greater value. While tech giants like Amazon and Nvidia are thinking far into the future, specialized software pioneers are already demonstrating today how complex business processes can be drastically accelerated. The good news: A promising quantum pioneer hails from Germany and has been trading on the stock market for some time as the only German "pure-play" quantum stock.
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 22nd, 2026 | 07:40 CEST
Climate Protection as a Source of Returns: Companies Like BP Face Demand, Halliburton Hesitates and Zefiro Steps In
Created and Published on Behalf of Zefiro Methane Corp.
Forests, farms and abandoned industrial sites across the US may seem idyllic, but they often share a barely visible problem: an odourless gas is escaping from the ground that warms the climate many times more powerfully than carbon dioxide. Countless orphaned wells are left to rust away because the companies that once operated them have long since gone bankrupt. State authorities are now taking action, requiring those responsible to clean up these environmental liabilities. While companies struggle under these regulatory requirements, well-plugging specialist Zefiro Methane is turning environmental risks into tangible opportunities for investors.
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 22nd, 2026 | 07:05 CEST
Tungsten Shortage: Almonty Secures Sandvik Deal – New US Defense Rules Raise Pressure on Lockheed & Co.
In extreme operating conditions, cutting-edge technology relies on materials that push the boundaries of physics. Whether in ammunition, engines, or milling heads that machine titanium blocks for stealth jets—there is no getting around tungsten. With the highest melting point of any pure metal and an enormous density, the element is considered indispensable for industry and the defence sector. Yet, of all things, the West is almost left high and dry when it comes to this key component. Beijing controls over three-quarters of global production and also dominates downstream processing. However, price spikes and stricter trade rules are now shaking the industry awake. At the centre of it all is the US tungsten specialist Almonty Industries.
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 18th, 2026 | 08:20 CEST
Cash Is King: How Barrick and PDI Gold Are Turning Mali into a Cash Cow – Desert Gold Set to Become a Gold Producer
In the past, West Africa was often seen as a region of missed opportunities and geopolitical uncertainties. But a closer look at Mali today shows a different picture. The Republic is focusing on legal certainty and cooperation, presenting itself as a robust and open destination for international investors. Evidence of this can be seen in the investments made by major mining conglomerates. While industry giants such as Barrick are investing in Mali, dynamic challenger Desert Gold is also coming into focus. Desert Gold is poised to become a gold producer. Here is why the company is entering a pivotal phase.
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 17th, 2026 | 07:30 CEST
AI Bubble Ahead? SAP Is Worried, SpaceX Is Betting on the Future, and Lahontan Gold Is Banking on Hard Assets in the Ground
In the herd mentality of financial markets, what really matters often gets overlooked. For months, headlines about artificial intelligence, data centres in space and other visions of the future have been driving share prices. Yet while investors are pouring billions into these trending sectors, the upside potential is shrinking with every positive trading day—the premature hype is already too great. Those looking for substance are turning to hard assets: undeveloped precious-metal deposits in stable legal jurisdictions can offer leverage that the broader market has largely overlooked. We take a closer look.
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 16th, 2026 | 06:55 CEST
The End of Weight-Loss Shots? Innovations at Merck and Novo Nordisk—BioNxt Solutions Poised for a Hot Fall?
The battle against excess weight is no longer merely a lifestyle issue. Medical professionals now view extreme obesity as a chronic disease that weakens the body and can lead to serious cardiovascular conditions, as cardiological studies have shown. By contrast, sustained weight loss can help pave the way to a longer, healthier life. This insight, combined with pharmaceutical innovation, has sparked an unprecedented race to develop weight-loss drugs. Companies are searching for the ideal way to boost metabolism while making medication as easy and convenient to take as possible.
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 16th, 2026 | 06:45 CEST
Transformation of the Steel Industry: Rio Tinto and Salzgitter Juggle Projects, Strategic Resources Impresses Researchers
No steel, no infrastructure. From massive bridges and sprawling wind farms to the striking skylines of the world’s major cities—steel is used everywhere. Yet this essential building material comes with a heavy environmental footprint. Current developments, as well as studies and research, show that the industry is facing a radical transformation. Traditional coal-fired blast furnaces have had their day. To protect the climate, new technologies are essential. We look at the latest trends and the companies involved, and highlight opportunities for investors.
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 15th, 2026 | 07:55 CEST
Dividends: Headwinds for Allianz and TotalEnergies – RE Royalties in an Interesting Position
Making your money work for you – that is probably every investor's dream. Dividends can be the key to achieving that. But a generous cash flow today is worthless if the underlying business models are already obsolete tomorrow. Taking a sober look at the balance sheet is no longer enough to reliably assess which dividend stock is truly sustainable—both in terms of consistent payouts and ESG criteria. We take a closer look at three dividend stocks with a promising future and show what role these shares could play in a portfolio.
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 11th, 2026 | 08:10 CEST
The Anode Is the Key: How Ferroglobe, Wacker Chemie and HPQ Silicon Aim to Break China's Market Dominance
Anyone getting into an electric vehicle today takes a range of several hundred kilometres and fast charging on the highway for granted. Yet while EVs may be relatively straightforward to use today, their supply chains have weak points. While Western buyers focused for years on cathode metals such as lithium and cobalt, Beijing has secured almost complete control over the anode. Without graphite from the Far East, nearly every Western battery factory would currently be at a standstill. The International Energy Agency (IEA) puts China's share of global anode material production capacity at 97%. For the West, the way forward lies in innovative materials such as silicon and its smart application. We take a closer look at innovative business models.
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