Apple, Meta Materials, Daimler: Tesla looks down the tube

Apple: Is there still something to come?

The Company from Cupertino has also gained market share in many other areas thanks to innovations. One example is powerful laptops for creative professionals. Apple has always been far ahead in this area, for example, with powerful graphics chips or interfaces that transferred videos in seconds many years ago, while the whole thing still took minutes via USB. But even a company like Apple cannot be innovative all the time. Not every year is a great success.

But Apple's pace of innovation is enough to drive the share price. Over a period of one year, a return of 45% was possible. That is not overwhelming for speculative investors, but it is impressive given Apple's maturity. Apple generates billions in cash flows and has all the options besides a solid bread-and-butter business. Who knows, maybe the next big thing will come soon with an autonomous driving car or a mobility subscription at a knockdown price?

Meta Materials: Is the revolution waiting here?

Meta Materials could also be on the verge of the next big thing. The Company has set itself the task of advancing materials with physical properties that do not exist in nature. What sounds a bit abstract is actually quite simple. It is about ultra-thin material that refracts light in a certain way, conducts electricity or has other properties. For example, things can be hidden because it is possible to direct light around them. 5G antennas can also be made almost invisible in the middle of window panes or other surfaces in this way. Meta Materials also wants to break new ground in the field of medical technology.

While it was still costly to produce this metamaterial some time ago, the Company of the same name is working on bringing production into scale. Once a certain critical mass has been reached, the business assumption is that unit costs will also fall. Since the applications of metamaterials are almost infinite, there are also opportunities for all first movers in this field. The stock was chased up by Reddit traders a few months ago and has been consolidating since. Operational development is progressing steadily, however. Anyone interested in the technology can find numerous articles on the subject at the science magazine Spektrum. Anyone who takes a quiet hour between the years to read up is likely to profit from a long-term investment decision.

Daimler shows Tesla the tail lights

Daimler is always good for innovation. Yes, that is right, Daimler, a representative of the "old" auto industry. The Company most recently received so-called Level 3 approval for its autonomous driving in the S-Class. That means that the luxury flagship can drive fully autonomously on highways in Germany. Well, some restrictions remain: The technology is only permitted on roads up to 60 km/h, i.e. in traffic jams and gridlocked traffic. In return, however, the driver leaves 100% control of the car in question to the technology. The technology is only the beginning, and the possibilities are likely to be gradually expanded by the legislature. Daimler has thus asserted itself against competitors such as Tesla and is pulling ahead - at least in Germany.

The technology could soon be extended to the "smaller" models of the Swabians. This approach happens more often. New technology is first available for wealthy customers, and it is standard for everyone at some point. The share of Daimler benefits from the fantasy surrounding autonomous driving and the electrification of the entire fleet. Daimler is doing well, thanks to innovation. The share is solid, but of course, not a high-flyer.

Despite the progress, Daimler must also continue to be considered a rather dull standard stock - even if the Company has made significant progress. Apple is in a better position - here, innovation has been the order of the day for years, and the next big thing is always possible. On the other hand, Meta Materials has the potential for a dynamic revaluation. The Company is 100% focused on this new technology. That increases opportunity and risk in equal measure.