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 April 29th, 2026 | 11:05 CEST
Powering the AI Revolution: OpenAI, Amazon, and Nuclear Pioneer American Atomics
The global economy is currently undergoing a fundamental transformation that experts describe as the beginning of a new infrastructure supercycle. While software innovations and platform economies have been at the forefront in recent decades, the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) has shifted the focus to the tangible prerequisites of digitalization: energy and computing power. The hunger for electricity triggered by the next generation of Large Language Models (LLMs) and autonomous AI agents is forging new alliances: Leading technology conglomerates and the nuclear industry have long been joining forces. According to recent analyses by Goldman Sachs, data center energy demand worldwide will more than double by the end of the decade, making the search for CO₂-free baseload power an existential issue for Silicon Valley. We shed light on this trend and highlight opportunities.
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Commented by Nico Popp on April 29th, 2026 | 11:00 CEST
Industrial Energy Transition: Air Liquide, Forgent, and SME Favorite A.H.T. Syngas
Today, more than ever, the industrial climate transition requires a technological mix of suitable infrastructure and highly efficient, decentralized gasification solutions. This need is further exacerbated by the current geopolitical situation and the ongoing energy crisis resulting from the Iran conflict. Since the disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has led to a significant loss of global liquefied natural gas supply, companies are desperately seeking alternatives to secure their energy supply. According to forecasts by the International Energy Agency (IEA), fossil fuel procurement costs will remain high, further increasing the urgency of industrial decarbonization. In this market environment, a two-way split is emerging. While market leader Air Liquide offers suitable solutions for heavy industry through the establishment of hydrogen hubs and CO₂ capture, specialized providers are competing for the enormous opportunities in the energy utilization of waste and other residual materials. We present the opportunities.
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Commented by Nico Popp on April 28th, 2026 | 11:30 CEST
AI Infrastructure and Mining Data: The Trio of Meta, Anthropic, and Aspermont
The global economy is currently undergoing a profound transformation. While the past two decades were primarily shaped by software scalability, the coming decade will be defined by the availability of tangible raw materials. The insatiable energy appetite of artificial intelligence (AI), coupled with ambitious goals in space exploration and nuclear fusion, has ushered in a new race for resources. Hyperscalers like Meta Platforms and AI pioneers like Anthropic are at the center of this, as their need for computing power and a stable energy supply is directly linked to the availability of critical raw materials. In this interplay of high technology and geopolitics, well-founded information becomes a valuable commodity. Companies like Aspermont ensure the necessary transparency in the supply chain with their data treasures. We shed light on the new raw materials hype and highlight opportunities.
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Commented by Nico Popp on April 28th, 2026 | 07:10 CEST
Linde, Amazon, and Pure One: The New Alliance Against Fossil Fuel Dependency
The energy crisis is highlighting the global economy's dangerous dependence on fossil fuels. In particular, the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has exposed the vulnerability of industrial supply chains, as critical feedstocks such as ammonia and methanol are becoming scarce alongside oil and gas. According to analyses by Wood Mackenzie, such a disruption leads to significant price spikes in the chemical industry and threatens the global supply of raw materials. In this unstable environment, hydrogen is gaining new significance as a tool for national security and industrial resilience. Innovative processes, such as the direct reduction of iron ore or the electrification of chemical reactors, enable the industry to gradually break free from fossil fuel imports. We examine the business models of Linde, Amazon, and Pure One, highlighting how these players are driving the hydrogen transition in the EU and Germany, and how investors can capitalize on these opportunities.
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Commented by Nico Popp on April 27th, 2026 | 07:45 CEST
No Security Without Drones: Volatus Aerospace, Helsing, and Rheinmetall Under Review
No drones, no security — that bluntly summarizes the strategic doctrine in today's geopolitical environment. Success in modern defense increasingly hinges on resilient supply chains and software sovereignty. Dependence on Chinese components is now widely seen as a critical vulnerability. As a result, new value chains are emerging. Software pioneers like Helsing are delivering the AI backbone for autonomous swarm technologies and securing billion-dollar contracts, while defense heavyweight Rheinmetall is rapidly scaling production for large-scale orders, including the FV-014 Kamikaze Drones. Meanwhile, Canadian drone veteran Volatus Aerospace is positioning itself as an indispensable partner that bridges the gap between civilian logistics and military readiness through its consistent "dual-use model." It is precisely this versatility that is considered crucial for scaling up even in peacetime.
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Commented by Nico Popp on April 24th, 2026 | 07:30 CEST
Gold Heading for Another Record High? Lahontan Gold, Coeur Mining, and Commerzbank's USD 5,000 Forecast
The gold market remains under the influence of the price increases seen at the start of the year and a generally volatile geopolitical situation. According to analyses by the World Gold Council (WGC), global debt has reached levels increasingly viewed as unsustainable, significantly raising the risk of a sovereign debt crisis as a potential "black swan" event in this decade. Given the circumstances, gold remains an anchor of stability. The fiscal policies of many Western nations, particularly the US, face the challenge of rising interest rates despite a massive debt burden. At the same time, significant tensions are emerging in the private credit markets, where companies must also refinance. Leading institutions such as Commerzbank, therefore, expect the gold price to head back toward the USD 5,000 per ounce mark. While this does not represent a significant increase from current levels, it indicates that gold is stabilizing at a high level following its rally. While banks see opportunities in gold, both established producers and emerging explorers are leveraging the current market environment to set the course for the future. We highlight these opportunities.
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Commented by Nico Popp on April 23rd, 2026 | 07:35 CEST
Automotive Supply Chain Reset: Ford, Mercedes-Benz, and ESG Leader Power Metallic Mines
The automotive industry is under immense pressure: its supply chains for essential battery raw materials such as nickel, copper, and cobalt urgently need to become independent of Chinese imports. According to reports from the International Energy Agency (IEA), China currently controls around 80% of global production capacity for lithium-ion batteries and as much as 97% of the value chain for anode materials. A one-month supply stoppage would result in losses of over USD 8.5 billion in the European Union alone, according to the agency. While automakers such as Ford are transitioning production at their Cologne plant to all-electric fleets and require secure sources of raw materials in stable jurisdictions to do so, Mercedes-Benz is pursuing a strategy of direct participation in mining projects to ensure compliance with the strict environmental standards of its Ambition 2039 initiative. In this tense market environment, Power Metallic Mines is specifically exploring copper, nickel, and platinum group metal deposits in Canada. The flagship project is the Nisk project in Quebec, which is set to supply the entire range of key metals. By utilizing modern exploration technologies, the company is precisely identifying the resources that are indispensable for the next generation of high-performance batteries and catalysts for the automotive giants.
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Commented by Nico Popp on April 22nd, 2026 | 07:30 CEST
At the Heart of Industrial Transformation: HPQ Silicon, Plug Power, and Evonik
Industry increasingly requires advanced materials for the energy and mobility transitions. Both megatrends depend on highly specialized inputs—whether for more powerful batteries, more efficient energy storage, or scalable hydrogen infrastructure. Established chemical companies like Evonik Industries contribute to this development through the production of materials such as pyrogenic silica, which supports thermal stability and performance in modern battery systems. At the same time, hydrogen pioneers like Plug Power are building comprehensive ecosystem solutions. The younger company HPQ Silicon fits into this picture with innovative processes for the low-emission production of nanomaterials and silicon anodes. Through its collaboration with Novacium, HPQ recently reported a milestone: prototype GEN4 battery cells with capacities exceeding 7,000 mAh, significantly outperforming conventional industrial cells. At the same time, the on-demand hydrogen production technology developed by HPQ offers a decentralized alternative to electrolysis infrastructure, such as that offered by Plug Power. Investors should take note: HPQ Silicon is positioning itself at the intersection of specialty chemicals and emerging hydrogen-related applications.
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Commented by Nico Popp on April 22nd, 2026 | 07:00 CEST
USD 4.7 billion for 150,000 Abandoned Oil Wells – A Billion-Dollar Market Emerges: Zefiro Methane, Halliburton, and JPMorgan in focus
Cleaning up the legacy of the US oil industry has evolved into a distinct economic sector, driven by government subsidy programs worth billions and the rapidly growing trade in emissions credits. According to analyses by the International Energy Agency (IEA), abandoned wells emit significant amounts of methane—a greenhouse gas that is around 80 times more harmful than CO₂ over a 20-year period. In the US, methane leakage from legacy oil infrastructure can pose environmental and safety risks, including groundwater contamination and localized gas buildup. To address this issue, the US government is allocating nearly USD 4.7 billion through the Infrastructure Act to plug and remediate approximately 150,000 so-called orphan wells. The consulting firm McKinsey estimates that demand for permanent CO₂ removal credits could grow to as much as 100 million tons by 2030. We take a closer look at this emerging sector and highlight a particularly interesting opportunity for investors.
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Commented by Nico Popp on April 20th, 2026 | 08:20 CEST
Energy Infrastructure as a Profit Driver: Market Leaders RWE, E.ON, and the Yield Booster RE Royalties
Driven by decarbonization, digitalization, and the extremely high energy demands of data centers for AI applications, electricity is becoming more than ever the most important pillar of the modern world. Current studies underscore the need for the energy industry to rethink its approach. According to the Boston Consulting Group, investments totaling around EUR 860 billion will be required in Germany alone by 2030 to meet climate targets. This amounts to approximately EUR 100 billion per year, nearly half of which is attributable to the energy sector. This massive investment volume clearly shows that the government cannot shoulder these tasks alone and that private capital is essential to achieve these ambitious goals. At the same time, the International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts that global electricity demand will rise by more than 3.5% annually through 2030. The AI boom is primarily responsible for this. Utility companies and renewable energy projects are likely to benefit. Investors in this sector can choose between major utilities like RWE, grid operators like E.ON, or specialized financiers like RE Royalties. Here is an overview.
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