Financial crisis - which financial crisis? Spring bull market ahead: Mercedes-Benz, Blackrock Silver, Nel ASA, Plug Power - Still getting in now?

Mercedes-Benz - Things are not going quite right with the EQ models

According to Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius, instead of getting stuck on the road and obstructing traffic, climate activists should rather work as engineers in his company, where they can actively shape the future. At the same time, Källenius rejected environmentalists' criticism of heavy SUVs: *"From my point of view, it is not about individual vehicle shapes, but about making cars sustainable overall. At Mercedes, all cars are becoming greener." Mercedes-Benz wanted half of the cars sold to be electric by 2025, although not always fully electric.** Ola Källenius has pushed the target back by at least one year (i.e. 2026). There are several reasons for this, one decisive factor being the current slump in plug-in hybrids, which are no longer subsidized. Such a decline was actually to be expected, yet the Stuttgart-based company had probably expected a higher "climate dynamic" among the population.

The in-house EQ models are not doing quite as well as expected and Mercedes is also struggling in the world's most important market, China. There, prices have already been adjusted downwards for the still-fresh EQE and EQS. Not only has Tesla become a competitor in this new market, but there are also more and more competitors from China, such as Nio and BYD. Not only can they keep up with Mercedes, but they are also 25% cheaper on average. Nevertheless, the shareholders were satisfied at the AGM and gladly accepted the dividend of EUR 5.20.

The share price is now some distance from its high of EUR 75.90, but the 25 analysts on the Refinitiv Eikon platform are all positive and calculate a median price target of EUR 90.20, a smooth 35% above the current price.

Blackrock Silver - The lithium deposit could become interesting

For e-mobility, the availability of lithium is of utmost importance because, although there are already many alternative technologies, so far no approach has made it to the industrial world. So if we think in terms of model cycles for the automotive industry, the Li-ion battery will undoubtedly continue to dominate the market for another 5 to 10 years.

Canadian explorer Blackrock Silver (BRC) focuses on developing gold and silver projects in Nevada. Now, however, there has been a significant discovery on the Company's own Gabriel property. The exploration program from 2022 has revealed lithium mineralization. To take advantage of further expertise, Blackrock is working with Tearlach Resources Ltd. on this one through an option agreement. There have been results for 3 more drill holes from a Phase I core drilling program at the Tonopah North lithium project (Gabriel). In doing so, Tearlach continued to encounter significant grades and widths. Results from these 3 core holes have higher than expected lithium values than the original discovery drilling and have demonstrated an expanded mineralized area measuring 2.0 by 2.75 km.

Andrew Pollard, President and CEO of Blackrock Silver commented: "We are very encouraged by the recent drill results from Tearlach, which indicate that the lithium-bearing system at the Gabriel Project continues to be more extensive and higher grade than originally anticipated. With a maiden resource estimate planned for later this year, we see the potential to unlock significant value for our shareholders as this discovery is advanced."

Blackrock Silver shares are currently trading at CAD 0.33. In addition to the recent discovery of lithium, precious metals could also make a comeback in the current environment and create opportunities.

Nel ASA - Negative pull from plug power

The share of the Norwegian hydrogen company Nel, after a slight recovery, has once again taken a downward turn. The sell-off at industry competitor Plug Power is likely to blame. Here there is a major shareholder class action lawsuit because of false information on growth, and even the latest figures have not been able to bring the market out of the selling mood.

Plug Power Inc. posted revenue of USD 210 million in the first quarter of 2023, up 49% from a year earlier. However, the gross margin for the same period was minus 33%. EBIT reached minus USD 209.8 million, in line with the negative sales performance. On a net basis, a bitter loss of USD 0.35 per share remains. The renewed setback was due to the increased cost of producing hydrogen molecules combined with historically higher natural gas prices.

Nel ASA had recently announced plans to build a giga-factory for electrolysis in the US state of Michigan. The production facility is expected to be the largest of its kind in the world. The total cost is estimated at USD 400 million. For CEO Håkon Volldal, proximity to Detroit US automaker General Motors was very important, as GM is a key cooperation partner for the industrial production of hydrogen. In November, the two companies decided to expand their existing partnership.

The Nel share has fluctuated strongly in the corridor of EUR 1.05 to EUR 1.30 in recent months. At EUR 1.23, it seems quite close to the upper turning point again. With a 2023 P/S ratio of 12, it still commands a high entry price into the H2 sector. But with permanent losses, the sector remains unattractive for private investors. We had already advised against an investment at an early stage.

The course for stopping global warming is not yet clear-cut. Many technologies can make an active contribution, but most solutions are initially counterproductive in their implementation. This is especially true for e-mobility. Investors should keep a healthy mix of standard stocks and high-opportunity investments in the Greentech sector to reduce portfolio risk.