Crash stocks: BASF, Meta Materials, Uniper, Nordex - Will there be a comeback like Tesla?

BASF - 10% away from the low

Things will get really exciting this week at Europe's largest chemical group. That is because the Board of Executive Directors will answer questions on Wednesday about the figures for the second quarter. Ludwigshafen-based chemical giant BASF is one of the largest gas consumers in Germany, but so far, there have been no supply restrictions. Nevertheless, CEO Martin Brudermüller will have to elaborate on the threat of supply shortages and their impact on production. Shareholders are very unsettled after a 45% drop in the share price in 2022; even the recent recovery movement in the DAX has only been enough for a 10% increase.

The Ludwigshafen-based Company had already published surprisingly good key data in advance but did not comment in more detail on the full-year forecast. Three weeks ago, the DAX-listed group maintained its forecast for fiscal 2022. Accordingly, sales will amount to between EUR 74 billion and EUR 77 billion, and EBIT before special items could land between EUR 6.6 billion and EUR 7.2 billion, according to management estimates. More detailed information should be available on Wednesday. Analysts expect earnings per share of EUR 1.94 on average, which is a decline of around 5% compared with the first quarter of 2021.

The share is currently in a waiting position but is well supported in the zone at EUR 41 to EUR 45. Those who consider the long-term chart favourable now should buy the first pieces and add a stop at EUR 38.70. However, investors should keep the gas issue on the radar, just as there is also the threat of a small dividend cut in the coming year due to falling profits. More background information is also available in a brand new report on BASF by researchanalyst.com.

Meta Materials - Large capital increase at low prices

In days of energy scarcity and increased industrial efficiencies, the focus is again on technology companies that make more efficient processes possible through their patents. Whereas a few years ago it was chic to build everything much lighter and more durable, today it is energy efficiency and independence from petrochemicals that counts.

At the technology forge Meta Materials, everything revolves around coatings on glass, building structures and other elements. Sensibly installed antennas and invisible cloaks for defense systems have also been on the solutions catalog for some time. Now the specialist for coatings and future-oriented materials also wants to move into the field of e-mobility.

With its partner company Coulometrics, Meta now wants to make batteries for e-cars safer, more durable and more powerful. In this industry, in particular, the still low performance of the units means that there is a need for disruptive technologies capable of delivering new ways of thinking and changing industries for the long term. Tesla has been conducting intensive research in this area for years but so far has not made any significant progress beyond the common Li-ion battery. The requirements are going in the right direction of longer service life and recyclability.

META®-Materials' developments can be divided into three areas: holography, lithography and wireless sensor technology with strong IT networking and artificial intelligence implementation. "With the recent strategic acquisitions of Plasma App and Optodot, combined with our roll-to-roll thin film deposition manufacturing facility in Quebec, we now have the capability to make Li-ion batteries safer and more efficient," said George Palikaras, president and CEO of META.

In late June, the Company replenished its coffers substantially. In a direct placement offering, it raised a gross amount of about USD 50 million through the sale of 37.037 million shares and warrants. In the current stormy times, this is clear evidence of investor confidence in the future market position of META®-Materials. Although the Company is constantly reporting good progress, it was hit hard in the last NASDAQ sell-off, currently down to USD 0.95. On August 9, the Q2 figures will be released after hours, and the following day there will be a webcast, so there may be some positive surprises. Position yourself in time for the upward turn.

Uniper and Nordex - Eyes closed and hope for the best?

At this point, we always report regularly on potential turnaround candidates. However, the following stocks have crashed and are stuck at the bottom for the time being.

In the case of Nordex, the ongoing capital increases, which always mean additional financing for the long-term investor if they want to hold on to their share, are a burden. The major shareholder Acciona, however, has always correctly followed suit, yet the frequency is unsettling. After all, the GreenTech stock was still 100% higher at the beginning of the year. It takes a lot of imagination to get back there in the short term because Nordex recently reported that it is unlikely to achieve a positive margin in 2022, although the order books are full. On August 11, 2022, there are figures for the 2nd quarter, which should be very exciting. Wait for the report!

At Uniper, the government bailout finally happened. From June 14 to September 30, the economic deficit is expected to amount to EUR 6.2 billion, Uniper CEO Klaus-Dieter Maubach said last Friday. The assumption is based, among other things, on current market prices and could also change. The federal government will probably step in with EUR 15 billion, of which EUR 8 billion could flow as pure equity. After the transaction, however, Berlin will have a stake of more than 30%. As a precondition, Uniper also assures the state that it will limit salaries for the group's management board and no longer pay dividends to shareholders. Consumers also have a stake in the bailout, as starting in October, all gas consumers will pay a levy to cover the dramatic increase in gas procurement costs in Germany. The share lost almost 50% of its value in just 3 days and was downgraded significantly. Until a new valuation basis is found, we advise caution.

The downward corrections are not over yet. Even if the markets are capable of temporary recoveries, downward pressure remains in anticipation of higher interest rates, inflation and poorer economic development. BASF, Nordex and Uniper are examples of so-called "Fallen Angels", here we should wait a little longer. At Meta Materials, a positive surprise could lurk in the upcoming figures.