Best conditions for a summer rally - Defence Therapeutics, SMA Solar, Rheinmetall

Rheinmetall - Orders from all directions

It is well known that the integrated, international technology group has emerged as one of, if not the main beneficiary of the Ukraine war. The DAX member reports almost weekly on new orders related to the conflict. The latest deal with the German government is the delivery of an additional 20 Marder infantry fighting vehicles to the Ukrainian war zone. Moreover, Rheinmetall could provide 60 more Marder vehicles. In the course of the ring swap procedure initiated by the German government, Greece will also receive 40 armoured infantry fighting vehicles from the Düsseldorf-based company.

In addition to the defence business, Rheinmetall's hydrogen strategy was also confirmed. The Group received two further orders for the delivery of fuel cell components. In a press release, Rheinmetall announced that the total volume for the two orders for cathode and shut-off valves from North America is in the mid double-digit million euro range. With these two orders, the total order value that Rheinmetall has achieved with cathode valves now reaches the triple-digit million euro range and underpins the successes in the context of the Group's hydrogen strategy, which aims to further expand its position in the field of alternative propulsion systems.

Due to the consistently positive news flow, the sell signal generated a few weeks ago could be stopped for the time being with the break of the downward trend formed since October 2022. However, the still negative chart picture will only brighten once the resistance at EUR 265.70 is overcome. In a recent report, analysts at Deutsche Bank Research maintained their price target on Rheinmetall shares at EUR 275 and issued a "buy" rating on the stock.

Defence Therapeutics - Initiates roll-out

The biopharmaceutical company published two important milestones within a week, significantly brightening the share's chart situation with the break of the downward trend established since January at CAD 3.02. At its peak, the price reached CAD 3.30 but is now likely to test the breakout level again, which should offer an attractive entry opportunity in the long term.

Firstly, the Canadians applied for patent protection for their broadly applicable platform technology for 157 countries for the intracellular administration of various active ingredients and vaccines, including polynucleotides, recombinant proteins and nucleoprotein complexes according to the PCT standard. The patent, filed by Defence Therapeutics, incorporates ACCUM™'s versatile properties and serves both as a drug enhancer for mRNA vaccines and as a vehicle for innovative techniques such as CRISPR, also known as "gene scissors". CRISPR makes it possible to remove faulty genetic information from existing DNA and replace it with new information.

On the other hand, significant successes were reported in research with the chemotherapeutic AccuTOX. The compound was exposed to temperature fluctuations, light, and humidity. The tests showed that the active ingredient is stable at temperatures ranging from -20 °C to 5 °C. A pre-clinical study on animals has been completed, showing 100% efficacy in treating lymphoma. This brings Defence Therapeutics ever closer to the approval of AccuTOX for a Phase I trial, which is expected to be conducted at the renowned City of Hope Hospital.

SMA Solar - Strong growth

Germany's best-known manufacturer of inverters for grid-connected photovoltaic systems made a strong statement with its first-quarter results for the current fiscal year 2023. The SMA Group posted a remarkable sales increase of 66.5% in the period from January to March 2023, corresponding to EUR 367.2 million. This positive development was observed in all three business segments. Particularly noteworthy is the Home Solutions segment, which increased its turnover to EUR 163.3 million after EUR 62.6 million in the same quarter of the previous year, representing an increase of more than 150%.

The Commercial & Industrial Solutions segment also recorded a significant increase in turnover. Here revenue increased by 41.9% to EUR 80.2 million, compared to EUR 56.5 million in the same quarter of the previous year. In the Large Scale & Project Solutions segment, revenues reached EUR 123.7 million, compared to EUR 101.5 million in the first 3 months of 2022. Another factor that contributed to this positive overall development was the storage technology, digital energy services and green hydrogen production sectors.

In the wake of the positive figures, the SMA share shot up by around 27% and ended the trading week at EUR 102. The previous high for the year was marked in May at EUR 111.40. The analyst firm Jefferies left its rating for SMA Solar at "buy" with a price target of EUR 120 after setting higher annual targets.

Rheinmetall continues to receive a constant stream of orders, filling up its order books. SMA was able to shine with strong figures. The share of Defence Therapeutics broke out of its downtrend with two positive news releases in one week.