March 9th, 2026 | 07:25 CET
Iran war and skyrocketing oil prices! Are there any winners at all? Infineon, First Hydrogen, and Aixtron in focus
Tensions in Iran have escalated rapidly, with military actions unfolding over a seven-day period. For the international community and struggling economies, a sustained 20% increase in oil prices means a sharp decline in economic growth and a huge surge in inflation on store shelves due to downstream inflationary effects. Consumers will not fall into a new buying frenzy in times of war, but will keep their wallets closed. Stock market traders need to think beyond short-term reactions. The real opportunities may now lie in companies that have struggled in recent days or emerging stocks with strong long-term prospects. Which names are positioned to recover fastest once the crisis stabilizes?
time to read: 5 minutes
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Author:
André Will-Laudien
ISIN:
INFINEON TECH.AG NA O.N. | DE0006231004 , First Hydrogen Corp. | CA32057N1042 | TSXV: FHYD , AIXTRON SE NA O.N. | DE000A0WMPJ6
Table of contents:
Author
André Will-Laudien
Born in Munich, he first studied economics and graduated in business administration at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University in 1995. As he was involved with the stock market at a very early stage, he now has more than 30 years of experience in the capital markets.
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First Hydrogen positions itself between SMR energy and humanoid robotics
Canadian technology company First Hydrogen is positioning itself as a new and sustainable player. The Canadians are impressively shifting from being a pure hydrogen and commercial vehicle supplier to a more broadly based clean energy platform that combines several key technologies in the field of energy infrastructure. A central component of this strategy is the entry into research on small modular reactors (SMRs), in particular, materials for novel salt reactors. In collaboration with the University of Alberta, the company is currently investigating non-radioactive substitutes to realistically simulate the physical properties of reactor fuels and reduce development risks at an early stage. The goal is to create the technological foundations for a long-term energy platform in which SMR-based power generation is directly coupled with electrolysis plants. This would enable First Hydrogen to provide baseload, low-emission energy for the production of green hydrogen in the future, a model that is becoming increasingly important for energy-intensive applications such as industrial processes, data centers, and AI infrastructure.
At the same time, the company is expanding its technological profile beyond the energy sector with its planned entry into advanced robotics. Under a binding letter of intent, First Hydrogen intends to acquire a majority stake in Exodus Actuation Solutions, a company with an extensive patent portfolio in the field of high-performance actuators and robotics systems. Exodus owns or licenses 25 granted and 11 pending patents for its Exodus Actuation gearboxes and high-performance motors. The underlying technologies enable precise electromechanical movements and are a key component of modern automation solutions used in industrial robots, autonomous systems, and electric mobility platforms.
CEO Balraj Mann commented: "By securing patented actuator and humanoid robot technology, First Hydrogen is positioning itself at the intersection of two important growth and investment themes: next-generation clean energy and autonomous robot systems and humanoid robotics."
Studies by major investment banks estimate that the global market for humanoid robotics could reach a volume of several trillion USD by 2050. Against this backdrop, First Hydrogen's capital measure of up to CAD 3 million appears to be a strategic step to finance both research programs and new technology partnerships. While many of the projects are still in their early stages, the company is addressing several of the most structurally important issues of the coming decades: clean base load energy, the hydrogen economy, automated industry, and autonomous systems. Investors in FHYD shares gain clearly thematically positioned exposure to several technological megatrends.
The decisive factor will be the extent to which First Hydrogen succeeds in developing robust industrial applications from its current research and technology initiatives. The current market capitalization of just under CAD 33 million is a drop in the bucket!**
Infineon – Key technology for energy efficiency, robotics, and electrification
From small to big! Germany's Infineon Technologies AG is one of the world's leading manufacturers of power semiconductors and microcontrollers and is particularly well positioned in the automotive industry, robotics, industrial automation, and energy efficiency systems. The group focuses on power semiconductors: chips for the efficient conversion, control, and distribution of electrical energy, which are essential for electric drives, server power supplies, robotics, and charging infrastructure. In robotics, Infineon semiconductors control motors, servo drives, and energy management systems, enabling precise motion control with lower energy loss.
In Q1 2026, Infineon generated revenue of EUR 3.66 billion, representing growth of around 7% compared to the previous year. Segment earnings were EUR 655 million, resulting in an operating margin of 17.9%. Revenue slightly exceeded analyst estimates, and management expects revenue of around EUR 3.8 billion for the second quarter, with margins remaining in double digits. However, revenue is expected to grow only moderately for the year as a whole. Despite the fundamentally solid figures, the stock is currently under pressure as the semiconductor market is cyclically weaker than expected, and many customers are reducing their inventories. In addition, the weak performance of the global automotive industry is weighing on the company's most important sales segment in the short term.
Overall, Infineon remains structurally well-positioned, as megatrends point to rising demand for power semiconductors. In the recently completed share buyback program for 4 million shares, the company paid a maximum price of EUR 44.43 on average. The average price targets of analysts on LSEG are EUR 48.93, with 24 out of 29 experts giving the thumbs up. Take advantage of the current correction to enter the market in the EUR 35 to 38 range!
Aixtron – AI fantasy and the next investment cycle in the chip industry
Continuing in the chip sector, Aixtron SE is a German specialist machine manufacturer for the semiconductor industry. The company is one of the world's leading suppliers of deposition equipment for the manufacture of compound semiconductors. The company's technologies are primarily used for materials such as gallium nitride (GaN) and silicon carbide (SiC), which are key components of modern power electronics. They are crucial for applications in electromobility, energy efficiency, optical communication, and high-performance electronics.
The compelling buying argument: Aixtron is positioning itself as an important supplier within the global semiconductor value chain. Particularly relevant is the growing demand for SiC and GaN power chips for electric vehicles, fast-charging infrastructure, and industrial power supply systems. This means that the Herzogenrath-based company is right on trend. An additional growth driver is the expansion of AI data centers, which require high-speed fiber optic connections and optical data communication lasers. These components are manufactured using Aixtron's deposition equipment, making the company an indirect beneficiary of AI within the semiconductor industry.
In fiscal year 2025, Aixtron generated revenue of around EUR 556.6 million, which was about 12% below the previous year's level. EBIT amounted to around EUR 100 million, while the EBIT margin remained solid at around 18%. For 2026, management expects a transition year with revenue of around EUR 520 million, plus or minus EUR 30 million. The share price has risen by over 120% in the last 12 months and will be included in the STOXX Europe 600 from March 23 due to a current market capitalization of EUR 3.25 billion and strongly rising revenue. In the long term, Aixtron is a top German tech investment, but in the short term, business development remains heavily dependent on the cyclical investment behavior of the global semiconductor industry.
The year 2026 is off to a turbulent start with upheavals in the commodities sector and a series of geopolitical conflicts. This presents opportunities and risks for investors, but the important thing in this case is to ensure a well-balanced diversification across countries, sectors, and industries. This will keep portfolio risk manageable.
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