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Commented by André Will-Laudien on September 18th, 2025 | 07:20 CEST
Margins war and soaring commodity prices! Caution advised on BYD, Mercedes, RENK, and European Lithium
So far, September has turned out to be a month of bliss. It appears that the stock market already underwent its full correction back in April. Investors are still buying high-tech and AI stocks, seemingly unconcerned by valuations of historic proportions. In the wake of this super bull market, automakers BYD and Mercedes have recently suffered significant price corrections. At the same time, the wave of euphoria surrounding defense stock RENK now appears somewhat exaggerated. The rally around critical metals has also driven European Lithium and its US subsidiary Critical Metals significantly higher. With commodity prices recently exploding, however, the rally here is likely only just beginning. We take a closer look at the numbers.
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 8th, 2025 | 07:15 CEST
High-profile projects as a zinc turbo: Glencore, Mercedes-Benz, Pasinex Resources
Zinc is a highly sought-after industrial metal — but its price can fluctuate significantly at times. There is about a 25% difference between this spring's yearly low and the average annual price of USD 3,400 forecasted by analysts at Wood Mackenzie. Why is that? Just a few months ago, the market was concerned about an industrial downturn. Today, it is clear that inventories are low and demand from China is anything but weakening. Still, the zinc market remains challenging. We explain which companies are good investments in this environment and which are not!
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Commented by Nico Popp on September 2nd, 2025 | 07:00 CEST
The auto industry is at a crossroads – Who will solve the lithium problem? BYD, Mercedes-Benz, European Lithium
When the Chinese step on the gas, German premium manufacturers are left in the dust! As a recent article in Handelsblatt shows, Chinese auto suppliers are increasingly overtaking their international competitors. This is fatal – after all, suppliers are the ones driving innovation. One indicator is the battery sector: in the first half of 2025, the two largest Chinese battery manufacturers, CATL and BYD, together controlled 55.7% of the global electric vehicle battery market. The next-largest non-Chinese supplier is LG from South Korea, with a market share of just 9%. As it stands, European car manufacturers remain heavily dependent on Chinese batteries. We examine why this dependence is risky, which companies are already working to reduce it, and which stocks offer opportunities for investors.
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Commented by André Will-Laudien on August 1st, 2025 | 07:00 CEST
This could be explosive for e-mobility! Watch out for BYD, Pasinex Resources, VW, and Mercedes
The latest quarterly results from the automotive sector have led to further disillusionment. High costs, ever-changing technological requirements, and stricter regulations are leading to declining margins. For two years now, Chinese manufacturers like BYD have been making weekly deliveries by ship to the affluent EU market. Initially highly praised and selling several thousand units quickly, everything now appears to be stalling, as huge stockpiles are suddenly piling up. Investors should keep a close eye on developments. Anyone thinking about modern batteries, for example, cannot ignore the critical metal zinc. Here are a few ideas for your portfolio.
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Commented by Armin Schulz on July 15th, 2025 | 07:25 CEST
After tungsten, is this the next raw material bottleneck? thyssenkrupp, Pasinex Resources, and Mercedes-Benz under review!
Geopolitical tensions are forcing industrialized nations to radically rethink their strategies. Following strategic metals like tungsten and rare earths, another raw material is coming into the spotlight. The importance of steel refinement and high-tech production is growing exponentially, while supply risks are looming due to market concentration. Those who now secure alternative supply sources or develop substitution technologies will not only secure supply chains but also generate competitive advantages. We take a closer look at companies that rely on zinc, and one company that could help the US remove zinc from its list of critical raw materials.
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Commented by Nico Popp on July 3rd, 2025 | 07:45 CEST
Explosive atmosphere in the lithium triangle – Europe stands to benefit: Albemarle, European Lithium, Mercedes-Benz
Electric vehicles need lithium. However, it is not that easy to obtain. According to a report in Die Welt, two companies from China and Russia are currently encountering difficulties in Bolivia. The reason: indigenous peoples have launched a wave of protests and are doing everything they can to prevent lithium mining in the country. Germany had already failed with a similar initiative in Bolivia. The indigenous peoples along the border with Argentina see themselves as the sole and rightful owners of the "white gold." As a result, the "lithium triangle" between Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile, which is home to more than half of the world's lithium reserves, is increasingly becoming a no-go area for companies. We explain the alternatives available and who stands to benefit the most.
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Commented by Fabian Lorenz on June 2nd, 2025 | 07:15 CEST
Alarm bells ringing for rare earths and record highs for hydrogen! Hensoldt, Plug Power, Mercedes, and BMW partner European Lithium
Rare earths are increasingly being used as a weapon in geopolitics. "The last remaining stocks will likely be used up within four to six weeks. Then parts of production will have to be shut down," warns Christian Grimmelt of the consulting firm Berylls by AlixPartners in Wirtschaftswoche. This could benefit European Lithium's stock. The Company not only aims to supply lithium to BMW but is also developing a rare earths project in Greenland. Is the defense industry also affected by the shortage of raw materials? Perhaps. For now, the FOMO rally is driving defense stocks to new all-time highs. But caution is advised: according to analysts, Hensoldt shares, for example, have a 30% downside risk. Plug Power, on the other hand, has had to cope with many setbacks in recent months. Its shares are at rock bottom. Could a milestone in its home market bring about a turnaround?
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Commented by Armin Schulz on May 15th, 2025 | 07:10 CEST
Exploding profits? BYD's exports, Power Metallic Mines' drilling, Mercedes-Benz's tariff tactics
The mobility transition is accelerating, but the road to an electric future is fraught with dynamics and dilemmas. While global demand for electric vehicles is exploding, shortages of key raw materials such as nickel, copper, lithium, and cobalt threaten to slow down ambitions. Innovations in recycling, alternative materials, and ethical sourcing are becoming a decisive competitive advantage. At the same time, new technologies and government subsidies are pushing the market into an era full of opportunities. Three players are at the center of this upheaval: BYD as a battery pioneer, Power Metallic Mines as a raw material supplier, and Mercedes-Benz as a premium manufacturer, who are jointly rewriting the rules of the green revolution.
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Commented by Armin Schulz on April 14th, 2025 | 07:20 CEST
123fahrschule is booming, while Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz are struggling with tariffs and e-mobility
The German automotive industry is struggling with punitive tariffs and declining competitiveness, while the driving school sector is booming – a paradox of future markets. As Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz face export declines and try to integrate the electric revolution into their existing structures, 123fahrschule is focusing on digital learning concepts and sustainability. But what connects luxury automakers with driving schools? Both face the question of how to master technology, global crises, and younger target groups. Innovation requires more than horsepower and premium labels. We look at how 123fahrschule, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz meet these challenges and aim to shape the future.
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Commented by André Will-Laudien on February 26th, 2025 | 07:00 CET
Elon Musk is losing, now comes hydrogen! Watch out for BYD, Plug Power, First Hydrogen, and Mercedes
Tesla has already lost its leading role to BYD, but there are other winners from the Texan crash. Mercedes is one of the profiteers. First Hydrogen is ready to roll out its innovative solutions. Since nuclear power plants are almost emission-free during operation, the carbon footprint of green hydrogen from nuclear energy is comparable to that from renewable sources such as wind and solar. Unlike wind or solar energy, nuclear power can produce electricity around the clock because it is not dependent on weather conditions. In countries such as France, Finland, and Japan, nuclear energy is already being considered as an option for hydrogen production to drive the decarbonization of industry. Which stocks are coming to the fore as a result?
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