Big news at the turn of the year! Nordex, Novo Nordisk, AJN Resources!

AJN Resources: Takeover drives share price

Is now the time for gold explorers? The price of gold remains solidly above USD 4,300 per troy ounce, and the shares of major gold companies such as Barrick Mining and Newmont have risen, perhaps even a little too much. Those who still want to profit from the gold boom should also set their sights on exploration companies. There are some interesting latecomers in this sector. One such company is AJN Resources. The shares of this specialist in exploration in Africa have jumped in recent weeks and still appear to have significant upside potential. In addition to existing projects, a planned takeover is fueling speculation around the share price.

AJN Resources has announced its intention to acquire a majority stake in the Giro Gold project, located in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It covers an area of 497 sq km and is located in the so-called Kilo Moto greenstone belt, where one of the continent's largest producing mines is located. The Kibali Mine produces around 600,000 ounces of gold per year and is majority-owned by giants Barrick Mining and AngloGold Ashanti. The Giro Gold project is only 35 km away from the Kibali mine and is located on promising volcanic-sedimentary lithologies whose structural and lithological characteristics are similar to those of Kibali. The Company aims to start production as soon as possible. Two mining permits have already been obtained. AJN management emphasized that they had had their sights set on the project for a long time and had finally reached an agreement. In addition, they are looking for further projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo and plan to become one of the leading players in the country's gold sector.

AJN CEO Klaus Eckhoff has been active in Africa for decades and has an excellent network. The Canadian exploration company is already active with two projects in Ethiopia. Accordingly, further news flow can be expected in the coming year, which argues in favor of continued upside in the share price.

Nordex: Positive news at the turn of the year

Like AJN Resources, Nordex is also entering the new year with positive news. The wind turbine manufacturer has won an order in North Rhine-Westphalia. As part of a repowering project, Nordex will supply wind turbines with a total capacity of 106.8 MW. The order was placed by Bürgerwind Hollich GmbH & Co. KG and includes a premium maintenance contract with a term of 25 years. Specifically, twelve N163/6.X wind turbines will be delivered and erected on 164-meter-high hybrid towers, and four N149/5.X turbines will be delivered and erected on 125-meter-high steel tube towers. The first turbine is scheduled to go into operation in spring 2027.

Jörg Tiemann, Managing Director of the Bürgerwindpark-Hollich Group, commented: "We did not take the selection of turbines lightly. For us, only established German manufacturers were considered. Among other things, our choice fell on Nordex due to our many years of positive experience in project implementation and service, the mature turbine technology, and our trust in this manufacturer."

Nordex shares are trading at almost EUR 30, which is not only an annual high, but also a level not seen since 2015.

Novo Nordisk: Strategically important

After a horrific year with a price loss of over 50%, Novo Nordisk shares have at least stabilized in recent weeks. There has been some positive news. Last week, the pharmaceutical company submitted a marketing authorization application to the FDA in the US for CagriSema. This is a once-weekly injectable fixed combination of the new amylin analogue cagrilintide (2.4 mg) and semaglutide (2.4 mg).

The target group is adults who are obese or overweight and have at least one weight-related comorbidity. The therapy is to be used in conjunction with diet and exercise for weight reduction and weight stabilization. If approved by the FDA, CagriSema would be the first injectable combination of a GLP-1 receptor agonist and an amylin analog, as well as important evidence that Novo Nordisk can expand its obesity pipeline beyond semaglutide with new mechanisms of action. Management speaks of a milestone and a potentially "new chapter" in weight management, based on clinical data and the expectation of meeting additional patient needs.

The submission is based primarily on two Phase 3 studies. Weight loss was 20.4% compared to 3.0% with placebo when the effect was considered independently of whether patients continued therapy. In addition, 91.9% of patients achieved at least 5% weight reduction. For Novo Nordisk, these data are strategically relevant because they underscore the clinical impact of a "next-gen" combination and, if approved, could secure its position in the high-margin obesity market with a new drug logic.

There are many indications that the price of gold will at least maintain its high level in 2026. Exploration stocks should benefit disproportionately from this, as the major producers have already performed very well. AJN Resources' stock has jumped and remains attractive. There is much to suggest that Novo Nordisk's share price will rise again. Nordex is historically very cyclical. After a strong year, profit-taking should be considered.