BYD vs. Tesla! AI beneficiaries BioNTech and Rio Tinto partner Aspermont! Stocks for 2026?

Aspermont: Commodities sector and technology in one stock

Aspermont Limited could be one of the most interesting small-cap stories in 2026. The Australian company combines the booming commodities sector with technology and big data. To this end, the Company underwent a transformation in 2025, which is likely to pay off in the current year and give the stock a boost.

In 2025, Aspermont evolved from a traditional media and information provider in the commodities industry to a highly specialized data intelligence company. At the heart of the transformation was the launch of the new Mining IQ platform. This platform transforms global data on mining projects, risks, ESG performance, and investor trends into analytical products. The data comprises a likely unique treasure trove of knowledge from Aspermont's archive material spanning around 200 years of the Mining Journal and Mining Magazine. This has been digitized and, with the help of AI, a novel research and analysis tool for the raw materials industry has been created. For Aspermont, it is a subscription-based model that enables scalability and recurring revenue. Rio Tinto has already been convinced of this. The commodities giant initially received exclusive access and paid around AUD 550,000 for it. In 2026, Aspermont will be able to market the solution worldwide as a subscription model.

In the 2024/2025 financial year, Aspermont already generated AUD 15.4 million in revenue. Annual recurring revenue (ARR) was AUD 11.5 million. EBITDA was still slightly negative at AUD -1.0 million. However, this is likely to change very quickly with the scaling of Mining IQ. Operating cash flow was already positive. For context: Aspermont's market capitalization is around AUD 20 million, which seems anything but high given its growth opportunities.

Aspermont's management is optimistic about 2026. The Company plans to scale its business and tap into new growth in various regions. The long-term vision is to establish Aspermont as a leading provider of data and information for the global commodities sector. This would allow the Company to benefit directly from the commodities boom.

BioNTech: AI against cancer

Like Aspermont, BioNTech also relies on artificial intelligence (AI) for data processing and analysis. The German biotech company is now systematically integrating AI into its research and development work with the aim of increasing the hit rate in drug discovery and shortening development cycles. In order to bring the relevant expertise into the Company, it has acquired InstaDeep, among others. BioNTech paid around EUR 500 million for this in 2023. BioNTech explicitly describes AI as a lever for expanding its pipeline, identifying/optimizing candidates, and improving workflows. In terms of content, this fits in with BioNTech's focus on immunological platforms. In personalized cancer programs, patient-specific tumor data is evaluated to determine potentially relevant mutations or neoantigens, which are then incorporated into individualized vaccine constructs.

The trend toward "AI in the lab" rather than just "AI on the screen" shows how operationally the topic is now being thought of. At BioNTech's AI Day and in accompanying publications, "Laila" was demonstrated, an AI agent that can support routine biological activities, be integrated into workflows, and even interact with laboratory equipment. The goal is to plan experiments better, interpret data faster, and detect errors earlier.

The results of AI research are expected to be evaluated as early as 2026. Important data from Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies are pending. From Berenberg's perspective, the oncology research pipeline is not reflected in the current share price. They recommend buying BioNTech shares and have raised the price target slightly from USD 150 to USD 155.

BYD: Shares disappoint despite market leadership

What went wrong at BYD in 2025? Although the Chinese company has overtaken Tesla to become the world's largest electric vehicle manufacturer, BYD shares are trading at the same level as at the beginning of 2025. The stock has even lost almost 40% from its annual high of EUR 17.60 in May. Those who have held the stock since the beginning of February 2021 have only achieved a price gain of around 20%.

Operationally, 2025 was not a sure-fire success for BYD. In China, the ongoing price war ate into margins, and the Company reported its first decline in profits in more than three years in the second quarter. Added to this were regulatory and financial side issues, such as debates about payment terms in the supply chain. Quality was also an issue. In 2025, there were frequent recalls, including a campaign on plug-in hybrids due to potential safety risks with the battery and a major wave of recalls in the fall. Foreign policy and strategy also became more complicated. In Europe, additional tariffs made Chinese BEVs noticeably more expensive, and BYD responded by focusing more strongly on plug-in hybrids, which are cheaper in terms of tariffs. And in North America, geopolitics and tariff concerns slowed expansion goals. Plans for a factory in Mexico were put on hold for the time being.

But there were also positive milestones in 2025. In Europe, BYD made a mark and narrowly overtook Tesla in pure electric registrations for the first time in April. At the same time, a European headquarters, including a research department, was opened in Budapest. Technologically, BYD made headlines in March with its "Super e-Platform." Megawatt power is expected to enable several hundred kilometers of range to be charged in just a few minutes. However, this will require the establishment of a network of ultra-fast chargers.

Shortly before New Year's Eve, the latest big news broke. BYD is expected to have climbed to the top of the global electric vehicle market in 2025, replacing Tesla as the market leader. This is indicated by sales data to date. According to this, BYD had sold 2.07 million purely electric vehicles by the end of November. Tesla sold 1.22 million vehicles in the first three quarters and is likely to end the year with around 1.65 million in sales.

Which stock will take off in 2026? Aspermont is anything but highly valued and is likely to take off in the current year with its scalable business model. BioNTech has important study data coming up in 2026. If these are positive, the stock is too cheap. BYD must prove that it can make money sustainably with electric vehicles.