Close menu




July 18th, 2023 | 07:30 CEST

320% return - this stock is tomorrow's star: Mercedes-Benz, Altech Advanced Materials, Meyer Burger

  • Technology
  • Innovations
  • Electromobility
Photo credits: pixabay.com

Mercedes-Benz dealerships have sent a desperate letter to the Group as sales stagnate. The fear is also spreading in Wolfsburg. German car manufacturers are experiencing a significant decline in sales compared to 2019. E-cars, in particular, are not finding favour with buyers. The German government is already considering renewed incentives. But is that enough? We take a look at investments in the automotive industry and show alternatives.

time to read: 3 minutes | Author: Nico Popp
ISIN: MERCEDES-BENZ GROUP AG | DE0007100000 , Altech Advanced Materials AG | DE000A31C3Y4 , MEYER BUR.TECH.NAM.SF-_05 | CH0108503795

Table of contents:


    Mercedes-Benz: Luxury strategy a flop after all?

    In 2019, the world was still in order - also for Mercedes-Benz. In 2019, the Swabians produced 627,000 vehicles between January and May. In the German plants alone, 484,000 cars rolled off the production line. In the same period in 2023, there were only 343,000 cars - a minus of 30%. The decline could become even more significant when the electric vehicle subsidy for business customers expires on September 1. According to Handelsblatt reports, other car manufacturers, such as VW, are already considering phasing out temporary employment contracts and have already cut shifts at the main site in Zwickau.

    In addition, private customers are driving their cars longer than they did years ago. Current e-car models are not yet convincing for many. At the same time, customers assume that the internal combustion engine will be obsolete in the medium to long term - so a new purchase is not worthwhile for many customers. Since the belt has to be tightened anyway, given inflation, private individuals are driving their cars longer. Despite the gloomy outlook, the Mercedes-Benz share is holding steady and trading around 7.8% higher than six months ago. However, the share has already bumped its head twice in the area of EUR 76. Overcoming this resistance seems difficult given the current situation. Since it is also unclear to what extent Mercedes-Benz's luxury strategy will pay off in the long term, investors should currently avoid the stock, as well as VW and BMW shares.

    Altech Advanced Materials: Battery share rises by almost 320%

    While carmakers try to score points on the market with e-models or seek their salvation in the luxury segment, suppliers of battery technology can work in peace. The Heidelberg-based company Altech Advanced Materials specializes in coating anode material with aluminum oxide. This is intended to make batteries more durable and more powerful. Altech itself considers performance increases of 50 to 100% possible. The aluminum oxide can be enriched with silicon. Silicon is currently also used as anode material in prototypes at Mercedes-Benz. The EQXX prototype thus achieves more power per unit of weight. With its anode technology, Altech Advanced Materials is well-positioned to supply battery factories. "We want to provide manufacturers of batteries for e-cars with an application-ready drop-in technology that is low cost, high performance and safe. In addition, batteries made from our material are less dependent on international supply chains. Today, more than 80% of anode material still comes from China," said Uwe Ahrens, Director of Altech Advanced Materials in an interview last fall.

    Altech Advanced Materials is currently expanding its Schwarze Pumpe site to produce material that will convince battery manufacturers and carmakers. At the factory, the Company also wants to push ahead with its second mainstay: Together with the Fraunhofer Institute, Altech Advanced Materials is working on solid-state batteries that manage entirely without critical raw materials. "This involves flexible electricity storage systems that can be scaled to almost any capacity and are inexpensive, durable and safe due to the materials used. Safety is important for everyone, but even more so for industrial applications in the multi-digit megawatt range. The reason for this is quickly explained: this battery is not flammable. We work with a solid ceramic cylinder. Furthermore, common salt is used instead of lithium," says Ahrens in the interview. Such solid-state batteries could store energy from solar parks and deliver it to the grid with a time delay. Currently, the market price for electricity drops significantly when the sun shines. Solid-state batteries can make the business model of solar park operators more robust.

    Meyer Burger: EU commits to European solar industry - will Altech benefit?

    Just recently, the Swiss photovoltaic company Meyer Burger received EUR 200 million in funding from the EU for the development of 3.5 GW of production capacity. The capital is expected to be invested in Germany and Spain. This commitment to the European solar industry is also positive for Altech Advanced Materials - the solid-state battery, which does not require critical raw materials, would fit perfectly into the picture of a green EU but independent of China. Altech is already cooperating with leading industrial companies such as SGL Carbon and the Spanish company Ferroglobe.


    The stock of Altech Advanced Materials is a success story. Just a year ago, the stock was trading at EUR 1.96. Today it is around EUR 14.40, corresponding to a return of almost 320%. Most recently, the value, which is now also tradable on Xetra, corrected. The story of Altech remains exciting. While industrial companies fight for market share, the Heidelberg-based company is advancing the technology of tomorrow. When the value turns, daredevils should be wide awake.


    Conflict of interest

    Pursuant to §85 of the German Securities Trading Act (WpHG), we point out that Apaton Finance GmbH as well as partners, authors or employees of Apaton Finance GmbH (hereinafter referred to as "Relevant Persons") may hold shares or other financial instruments of the aforementioned companies in the future or may bet on rising or falling prices and thus a conflict of interest may arise in the future. The Relevant Persons reserve the right to buy or sell shares or other financial instruments of the Company at any time (hereinafter each a "Transaction"). Transactions may, under certain circumstances, influence the respective price of the shares or other financial instruments of the Company.

    In addition, Apaton Finance GmbH is active in the context of the preparation and publication of the reporting in paid contractual relationships.

    For this reason, there is a concrete conflict of interest.

    The above information on existing conflicts of interest applies to all types and forms of publication used by Apaton Finance GmbH for publications on companies.

    Risk notice

    Apaton Finance GmbH offers editors, agencies and companies the opportunity to publish commentaries, interviews, summaries, news and the like on news.financial. These contents are exclusively for the information of the readers and do not represent any call to action or recommendations, neither explicitly nor implicitly they are to be understood as an assurance of possible price developments. The contents do not replace individual expert investment advice and do not constitute an offer to sell the discussed share(s) or other financial instruments, nor an invitation to buy or sell such.

    The content is expressly not a financial analysis, but a journalistic or advertising text. Readers or users who make investment decisions or carry out transactions on the basis of the information provided here do so entirely at their own risk. No contractual relationship is established between Apaton Finance GmbH and its readers or the users of its offers, as our information only refers to the company and not to the investment decision of the reader or user.

    The acquisition of financial instruments involves high risks, which can lead to the total loss of the invested capital. The information published by Apaton Finance GmbH and its authors is based on careful research. Nevertheless, no liability is assumed for financial losses or a content-related guarantee for the topicality, correctness, appropriateness and completeness of the content provided here. Please also note our Terms of use.


    Der Autor

    Nico Popp

    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.

    About the author



    Related comments:

    Commented by Fabian Lorenz on May 13th, 2025 | 07:15 CEST

    Stocks are taking off! Nel, RENK, Walmart partner MiMedia! Is the tariff chaos coming to an end?

    • Digitization
    • Technology
    • Defense
    • renewableenergies

    Will MiMedia's stock break through resistance and shoot to a new all-time high? The chances are good, as the cloud insider tip has navigated the tariff chaos of recent weeks surprisingly well. Now, the Company is set to scale up in Latin America with retail giant Walmart. With gross margins of 80% and above, the upside is substantial. Could new momentum come from the CEO soon? Things are already heating up at Renk - tomorrow's update will be crucial. Can the high-flyer's order backlog and outlook convince investors? Analysts remain cautious, and the potential downside for the stock should not be underestimated. And what is Nel doing? For shareholders, it is a rollercoaster once again. An order cancellation is followed by new hopes that the EU might completely cut off the Russian gas tap.

    Read

    Commented by Fabian Lorenz on May 13th, 2025 | 07:05 CEST

    A bombshell for D-Wave and Siemens Energy! Is AI stock NetraMark too cheap?

    • AI
    • Technology
    • computing
    • Energy

    D-Wave has made a spectacular comeback. The reasons are strong figures, positive analyst comments, and cooperation with the auto giant Ford. Is the quantum hot stock heading for a new all-time high? AI gem NetraMark still has a long way to go, but its valuation is extremely exciting. Donald Trump's latest statements show that drug prices must come down. Pharma and biotech companies can achieve this by using NetraMark's AI. The stock appears cheap and also has takeover potential. Siemens Energy shares are unstoppable. However, analysts' opinions continue to diverge. On the one hand, the price target is being raised, while on the other, a sell recommendation is being issued. What to do?

    Read

    Commented by Fabian Lorenz on May 7th, 2025 | 07:05 CEST

    While Friedrich Merz fails, BUYING OPPORTUNITIES arise for these stocks: Deutz, BYD, and Power Metallic Mines

    • Mining
    • Gold
    • Silver
    • Commodities
    • Electromobility

    Friedrich Merz has failed in the first round of voting to become Chancellor. But these stocks are winners: without metals, there would be no electromobility, no defense, no infrastructure - and when it comes to gold, no store of value. Power Metallic Metals caused a stir last year with spectacular drilling results. The latest samples show that the potential is far from exhausted. The current consolidation of the stock should soon be over. Deutz has already demonstrated how quickly a stock can explode. Analysts believe there is even more upside potential! And what is BYD doing? The Chinese company is growing strongly in their home market. In Europe, a bestseller is now set to bring success. Is this a threat to Volkswagen?

    Read