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 10th, 2026 | 08:35 CEST
Defence and the Price of Growth: AeroVironment, Rheinmetall, and Volatus Aerospace in the Spotlight
The war in Ukraine has exposed many of the promises made by the traditional defence industry. When expensive weapons systems are neutralized by swarms of low-cost drones, long-held notions of military strength can quickly evaporate. Satellite navigation fails due to jamming, communications links break down, and chains of command are disrupted. On battlefields in Ukraine, huge tanks often look like beetles that have fallen onto their backs. A shift in thinking is therefore necessary. What is needed today are autonomous drones that can independently target objectives while flying at low altitude or take on other tasks. The Western defence industry needs to rethink its approach.
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 10th, 2026 | 08:00 CEST
Newmont and Barrick Mining Are Struggling with Costs – Kobo Resources Sharpens Its Profile and Targets Tomorrow's Gold
When the gold price breaks through the USD 4,000-per-ounce mark, the stocks of the mining giants once again become attractive to many investors. But even the shares of the largest mining companies are not without risks. A gold mine is a dwindling resource: every ounce mined reduces reserves. While Barrick Mining and Newmont are currently generating very strong profits, they too face challenges. Securing a steady supply of new resources is becoming increasingly difficult. This is where agile exploration companies come in, targeting tomorrow's gold reserves with smart exploration methods.
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 9th, 2026 | 07:30 CEST
Biotech Boom Thanks to Synergies: AstraZeneca Bets on Platforms, Almirall Forges Alliances, and Vidac Pharma Has the Multi-Tool
Everyone in Germany knows the situation: doctors' offices are crowded, and the healthcare system is stretched to its limits. But even when waiting rooms are full, there are still rays of hope. In Europe, research is being conducted successfully in many areas. As standard drugs gradually lose their patent protection, a new era is dawning. While cutting-edge research in Germany is still considered brilliant, it has all too often failed to translate findings into products. But that is changing. A new generation of European pharmaceutical players is closing the gap with the competition and showing that groundbreaking therapeutic advances no longer have to come exclusively from overseas. We take a look at some exciting companies.
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 8th, 2026 | 08:00 CEST
Banking Shock at Bank of America and Deutsche Bank? We Know the Landmines – and Lahontan Gold Offers a Solution
When interest rates rise, and the mountains of debt in Western industrialised nations grow ever higher, experience shows that investors view the financial system with increasing unease. The automatic tendency to simply park liquidity in accounts or invest it in government bonds is being called into question. On both sides of the Atlantic, the strain is becoming palpable. While US public finances are suffering from ever-higher interest rates, ailing infrastructure and high energy prices are weighing on Europe's economic potential. This also shines a spotlight on banks, which, as key players in the financial system, serve as a barometer of financial stability. Resourceful investors are already changing their behaviour and turning their attention increasingly to crisis-proof tangible assets such as gold.
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 7th, 2026 | 08:20 CEST
Almonty: Analysts Speak Out – Airbus and Sandvik Need to Diversify Their Tungsten Supply
When huge turbines roar on the tarmac and passenger jets weighing several tonnes take off, few people think about how modern aeroplanes are manufactured and what is crucial to the process. Yet one extremely durable metal can determine the pace of modern aviation: tungsten. Without tungsten, the aviation industry's assembly lines could grind to a sudden halt. With a density close to that of gold and the highest melting point of any element, this critical metal can withstand extreme conditions. It is therefore essential not only in aerospace but also in a range of other future technologies, including fusion energy. Yet while the West is developing and building the latest-generation aircraft, China controls more than 80% of global tungsten production. This concentration of supply represents a highly dangerous strategic risk—but there is a solution.
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 7th, 2026 | 08:05 CEST
Environmental Damage and Billion-Dollar Market: How Zefiro Methane Outshines BP and Baker Hughes in US Drill Sites
Created and Published on Behalf of Zefiro Methane Corp.
Anyone traveling through the rolling hills of Pennsylvania would hardly suspect that an environmental time bomb lies beneath the idyllic forests. Yet that is precisely where the invisible legacy of more than 160 years of oil and gas production is buried. Methane, a gas that is gradually heating the planet, is escaping from countless orphaned and abandoned wells. There are millions of these abandoned wells across the United States. While Washington releases funding and major corporations draw up plans on the drawing board, a small but highly specialized company is tackling the problem at its source and positioning itself as a solution provider. Zefiro Methane plugs abandoned wells and even generates carbon credits. We analyze the trend and take a closer look at the companies involved.
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Commented by Nico Popp on August 31st, 2026 | 07:00 CEST
Gold Rush—But Which One Is Better? DRC Gold, Ivanhoe Mines and Newmont in the Spotlight
As central banks around the world resume buying gold and geopolitical turmoil shakes confidence in fiat currencies, one thing is clear: humanity's oldest form of currency is experiencing a renaissance. After a breathtaking record-breaking run that pushed the gold price to USD 5,600 per ounce at the beginning of the year, followed by a correction, gold has recently climbed dynamically back above the USD 4,600 threshold. But for gold investors, there has long been more to the market than just bullion and ETPs. Companies in the gold sector are profiting from the rally and, under certain circumstances, can even offer leverage on the precious metal. We introduce some exciting business models and take a look at Africa as well.
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Commented by Nico Popp on August 31st, 2026 | 06:50 CEST
Hunger for Critical Metals at SpaceX and Beyond: How Globex Mining Differs from Berkshire Hathaway
Rocket launches are simply fascinating: the brilliant light, tremendous thrust, and nervous anticipation during the countdown captivate us. Yet many future technologies would be unthinkable without raw materials and their smart processing. Tech giants have long been turning their attention to Earth's mineral resources and thinking ahead about supply security. We take a closer look at SpaceX and examine which resource companies are already securing the deposits of tomorrow. Three business models put to the test.
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Commented by Nico Popp on August 25th, 2026 | 07:00 CEST
Goodbye to Chemical Pesticides: Bayer Partner MustGrow Biologics Makes Progress – Has Bioceres Overreached?
Created and Published on Behalf of MustGrow Biologics Corp.
Agriculture is at a turning point. Strict environmental regulations are increasingly pushing chemical crop-protection products off the fields. At the same time, the effects of climate change are creating additional challenges. This puts farmers in a difficult position: on the one hand, they need to secure yields, while on the other, they must comply with increasingly stringent regulations. The solution could lie in biological alternatives to conventional chemical pesticides. This market is growing rapidly and opening up opportunities for innovative companies. We take a look at the latest trends and highlight some exciting companies.
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Commented by Nico Popp on August 25th, 2026 | 06:45 CEST
Drone War Coming to Our Doorstep? BAE Systems, Volatus Aerospace and Kratos Defense Set for a Boom?
More and more drones are being spotted and neutralized in NATO territory—some now even equipped with explosives. The relentless war of attrition between Russia and Ukraine, along with the aggressor’s threats, are forcing strategists in the West to rethink their approach. Costly weapons systems are no longer sufficient when swarms of inexpensive drones overwhelm air defenses. What began as a necessity-driven commitment to drones has long since evolved into a full-fledged industry in the West. We present key players and current developments.
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