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 December 1st, 2020 | 09:32 CET
SAF-Holland, ElringKlinger, Almonty: cyclical for the year-end rallye
Prices are picking up once again: Vaccination hopes and the recovery of the global economy are boosting cyclical stocks, in particular, such as the automotive industry. However, base metals are also considered a good bet in times of economic upswing. But one after the other. The shares of SAF-Holland, the commercial vehicle and camping equipment supplier, rose by more than 40% on a one-year horizon. In the past few days, it still grew by more than 7% despite a minor consolidation. While the stock was still considered a beneficiary of the trend toward camping trips after the initial lockdown, the hard facts are now providing price fantasy. When the economy is booming, commercial vehicles will be needed again, according to the market.
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Commented by Nico Popp on November 30th, 2020 | 05:50 CET
BYD, dynaCERT, NEL ASA - an ARTE report gets to the bottom of the environmental sin of electric cars
Electric cars, wind turbines or solar energy systems: Green technology promises us a clean future. But how much "greenwashing" is in the statements of companies and politicians? What is the true environmental footprint of electric cars? The investigative report "Umweltsünder E-Auto?" by Jean-Louis Perez and Guillaume Pitron for the European television channel ARTE takes a look behind the scenes, comparing Norway, the green model country, as well as dirty industrial wastelands in China or Chile. The conclusion of the film is sobering: It is not the green revolution or perpetual progress that will solve future problems, but rather sacrifice alone. However, there may be other alternatives in between.
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Commented by Nico Popp on November 27th, 2020 | 10:24 CET
Varta, Royal Helium, NEL ASA: After the hype is before the hype
The world is facing a whole series of revolutions. Digitalization is changing business models and the way we work and communicate. New energy sources are revolutionizing mobility. Between April and October, Varta's stock posted an impressive performance and generated a return of more than 150%. Recently, however, the share price has come down a little again. Reason enough to put the Company through its paces a little. Varta manufactures micro-batteries, such as those used in hearing aids or other household appliances. By the end of next year, Varta intends to expand its capacities in this area. The Company is also taking a step forward in terms of quality and plans to increase energy density further, and this is how the Company intends to stand out from the cheap competition.
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Commented by Nico Popp on November 26th, 2020 | 11:36 CET
Osino Resources, Barrick Gold, Newmont: So are the doublers in Africa?
When it comes to growth, professional investors look to Africa as well as Asia. In 2018 Rwanda and Guinea were the world's fastest-growing economies: the economies of both countries grew by 8.6%. Even countries like Benin, Ethiopia, Gambia or Burkina Faso are still among the top 20 in the world. But what is the reason for high growth in Africa anyway? In addition to a young and rapidly growing population, which drives the domestic market, education from a level of training is also an essential factor. Only in this way can emerging economies also participate in more complex value creation. Legal security and stability are also important factors when foreign investors look to Africa. One country that is considered highly developed and legally secure within Africa is Namibia.
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Commented by Nico Popp on November 25th, 2020 | 11:44 CET
Sartorius, Drägerwerk, Desert Gold: Vaccines for the portfolio
The crisis is on the home stretch. Several vaccines have been found and are about to be approved. But it will still take a while before the pandemic is defeated: millions of people need to be vaccinated. Usually, two doses of vaccine are required for this purpose, which must be administered at specific intervals. This Herculean logistical task must succeed in many countries if normality is to be restored. This much seems inevitable: 2021 will still be under the influence of the virus. Corona also leaves its mark on the capital market, whether directly or indirectly.
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Commented by Nico Popp on November 20th, 2020 | 10:59 CET
E.ON, RWE, Defense Metals: Energy investments - from boring to speculative
The experts of the investment house Clearbridge Investments report that the world could be facing a phase of economic recovery. Decisive factors for this development could be not only the measures of the central banks but also the investments in infrastructure. As the experts emphasize, investments of USD 100 billion would already create about one million jobs. Moreover, every dollar that is invested will pay off several times over in decades and contribute to growth. In contrast to previous years, not only the classic tech stocks should benefit from this growth, but also traditional sectors such as utilities.
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Commented by Nico Popp on November 19th, 2020 | 09:27 CET
AngloGold Ashanti, Blackrock Gold, Newmont: Investing in gold - but how?
Gold investors are in a comfortable situation: The precious metal has lost a little from its highs, but still shows excellent relative strength at the USD 1,900 an ounce mark. Although news of vaccines has taken some pressure off the markets in the short term, the big picture for gold investors remains intact. The crisis of the century requires trillion-dollar measures. This flood of money, in turn, increases the risk of further problems and could drive inflation. Contrary to the opinion of many investors, it is not inflation that drives the gold price, but their expectations. Given the measures already taken and those still in the pipeline by governments and central banks, there is every reason for increased inflationary expectations. But how does an investment in the expected gold boom succeed?
While grandmother still hid bars and coins under the bed, today's investors can resort to gold ETCs. These usually securitize physical gold and can also be held in custody at attractive fees and actively traded. Yield hunters nevertheless prefer to use gold shares. The reason: stocks such as AngloGold Ashanti, Blackrock Gold or Newmont usually offer leverage on the gold price. Depending on how a Company develops, the gold reserves in the ground are also valued.
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Commented by Nico Popp on November 18th, 2020 | 09:50 CET
SIXT, Nikola, Newlox Gold: New ways to higher returns
Successful companies often do things a little differently than their competitors. Sometimes it takes a while for an approach that is ridiculed at the beginning, to be approved, be successful and then copied. SIXT, for example, saw itself as a mobility service provider early on. The car rental Company operates in many areas and also offers leasing and used cars. Although business at the airports has mostly come to a standstill, SIXT is rightly considered flexible enough to be able to meet new requirements. The Company drastically reduced its vehicle fleet after the outbreak of the pandemic. SIXT will continue to invest in digital business models in the future, such as a monthly car subscription. This approach means that the share is now doing comparatively well again after a slump in March. The Company is not a crisis winner, but it does have a future.
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Commented by Nico Popp on November 13th, 2020 | 12:48 CET
EXMceuticals, KWS Saat, Nokia: Talk about crashes and comebacks
When the EXMceuticals share was quoted above the 1 EUR mark last summer, the sky hung full of violins for cannabis investors. In North America, the active ingredient was largely liberalized, and in other regions of the world, too, it seemed that cannabis would soon become a medical substance like many others. But at least the hype has died down on the stock market. In the meantime, EXMceuticals shares are trading at just EUR 0.12. What has happened?
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Commented by Nico Popp on November 12th, 2020 | 09:23 CET
Newmont, SolGold, Anglo American: When does the takeover carousel turn?
Commodities have been an exciting asset class again for a few months now. Despite the pandemic and the economic setbacks, the prices of commodities such as industrial metals or oil developed positively. The gold sector also picked up significantly, thanks to the support programs of the states, and the measures of the central banks. As the large gold companies, in particular, have shrunk healthily in recent years and worked on their cost structures, the ruble is rolling. Commodity giant Newmont reported a free cash flow of USD 1.3 billion in the third quarter alone, and free funds are also bubbling up at Barrick Gold. In an ordinary world, such figures lead to takeover speculation. But the pandemic is making travel and detailed due diligence on commodity projects difficult.
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