Close menu




December 10th, 2020 | 11:22 CET

Plug Power, wallstreet:online, AMS - Follow the trend!

  • Investments
Photo credits: pixabay.com

Since the corona low in March, it has been possible to see that some industries have been able to celebrate above-average price increases, while others, especially the cyclical ones, have barely performed. The further growth prospects for these boom markets remain optimistic so that the trend remains intact. Trend following is proven to be the most successful stock market strategy because stock market profits are always achieved when the markets move in trends.

time to read: 3 minutes | Author: Stefan Feulner
ISIN: DE000A2GS609 , US72919P2020 , AT0000A18XM4

Table of contents:


    Trading boom without borders

    In Germany, the spectre of a banking crisis has been haunting the country for years which may well be true for universal banks, but not for those who earn their bread and butter with securities trading. Since the lockdown in March, online brokers have recorded enormous increases in both transactions and new customer business. In December 2019, just in time for the corona trading boom, the Smartbroker went online. It belongs to wallstreet:online capital AG, in which wallstreet:online AG holds a stake of around 43% and is expected to hold the majority in the future. The goal is to turn the users that wallstreet:online has built up over the years, both through organic growth and through acquisitions of sites such as Ariva.de, Finanznachrichten.de and boersennews.de, into actively trading customers.

    Optimistic about the future

    The Berliners seem to have bet on precisely the right horse here. The plan is to have a base of 140,000 customers by the end of the year. By 2024, the number of active customers is expected to increase to 420,000, which would mean a turnover of EUR 39.0 million and an EBIT of EUR 27.0 million for the Smartbroker alone. The entire wallstreet:online family would thus climb to EUR 75.0 million revenues and EBIT of EUR 39.0 million. Currently, the stock market value is EUR 192.0 million, which is by far not too expensive compared to the competition.

    Explosion to a new high

    With a full plus of 16.15%, the Plug Power share went out of trading on Tuesday, which at the same time meant a new all-time high. Other Companies dedicated to fuel cell technology, such as Ballard Power or FuelCell Energy, also shot through the roof. The reason was a bill by the US Senator from Washington, Brad Hawkins. The plan is to start an eight-year state-wide pilot project that would provide a tax break for buyers of hydrogen fuel cell powered electric cars.

    Washington as a role model

    The first hydrogen filling stations in Washington State, for example, are expected to be ready for operation as early as 2022. This law could thus provide a total of 650 vehicles with a 50 percent tax credit between 2023 and 2029. According to Senator Hawkins, the people of central-northern Washington have been leaders in the field of clean energy for years. New efforts by the state to promote renewable hydrogen and zero-emission vehicles will help keep the innovative projects going. The draft law was widely approved. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will be enormously influential in the future of a low carbon transport sector.

    Dependence as a problem

    Last year, AMS, an Austrian sensor specialist, became known through the EUR 4 billion takeover of the traditional Munich-based Company Osram. AMS, based in Premstätten in Styria, achieved high growth rates with one customer in particular - smartphone giant Apple. This increased dependency could now backfire because the Company from Cupertino is turning around. Starting this year, the new iPhone models will be equipped with so-called direct-time-of-flight 3D sensors for the rear cameras. These have lower power consumption and have the ability to adapt to more complicated environmental scenarios. The previous standard was the indirect-time-of-flight 3D sensors, which, in addition to disadvantages in application possibilities, also require significantly more energy.

    In the clamp

    The Austrians currently only offer indirect time-of-flight 3D products, which are installed by Samsung. If the Android smartphones were to switch to the newer sensors as well, AMS would have an enormous sales problem. In the past two trading days, the share price crashed from CHF 25 to less than CHF 19. The analyst firms are divided. Bankhaus Lampe, for example, expressed scepticism about further cooperation with Apple. On the other hand, the experts from Hauck & Aufhäuser are leaving the AMS share at "buy" with a price target of CHF 32.


    Conflict of interest

    Pursuant to §85 of the German Securities Trading Act (WpHG), we point out that Apaton Finance GmbH as well as partners, authors or employees of Apaton Finance GmbH (hereinafter referred to as "Relevant Persons") may in the future hold shares or other financial instruments of the mentioned companies or will bet on rising or falling on rising or falling prices and therefore a conflict of interest may arise in the future. conflict of interest may arise in the future. The Relevant Persons reserve the shares or other financial instruments of the company at any time (hereinafter referred to as the company at any time (hereinafter referred to as a "Transaction"). "Transaction"). Transactions may under certain circumstances influence the respective price of the shares or other financial instruments of the of the Company.

    Furthermore, Apaton Finance GmbH reserves the right to enter into future relationships with the company or with third parties in relation to reports on the company. with regard to reports on the company, which are published within the scope of the Apaton Finance GmbH as well as in the social media, on partner sites or in e-mails, on partner sites or in e-mails. The above references to existing conflicts of interest apply apply to all types and forms of publication used by Apaton Finance GmbH uses for publications on companies.

    Risk notice

    Apaton Finance GmbH offers editors, agencies and companies the opportunity to publish commentaries, interviews, summaries, news and etc. on news.financial. These contents serve information for readers and does not constitute a call to action or recommendations, neither explicitly nor implicitly. implicitly, they are to be understood as an assurance of possible price be understood. The contents do not replace individual professional investment advice and do not constitute an offer to sell the share(s) offer to sell the share(s) or other financial instrument(s) in question, nor is it an nor an invitation to buy or sell such.

    The content is expressly not a financial analysis, but rather financial analysis, but rather journalistic or advertising texts. Readers or users who make investment decisions or carry out transactions on the basis decisions or transactions on the basis of the information provided here act completely at their own risk. There is no contractual relationship between between Apaton Finance GmbH and its readers or the users of its offers. users of its offers, as our information only refers to the company and not to the company, but not to the investment decision of the reader or user. or user.

    The acquisition of financial instruments entails high risks that can lead to the total loss of the capital invested. The information published by Apaton Finance GmbH and its authors are based on careful research on careful research, nevertheless no liability for financial losses financial losses or a content guarantee for topicality, correctness, adequacy and completeness of the contents offered here. contents offered here. Please also note our Terms of use.


    Der Autor

    Stefan Feulner

    The native Franconian has more than 20 years of stock exchange experience and a broadly diversified network.
    He is passionate about analyzing a wide variety of business models and investigating new trends.

    About the author



    Related comments:

    Commented by Matthias Schomber on June 24th, 2026 | 08:35 CEST

    Allianz Breaks the Record, Siemens Energy Is on a Roll, and Is HPQ Silicon on the Verge of a Breakthrough?

    • Silicon
    • Hydrogen
    • renewableenergy
    • Energy
    • Batteries
    • Investments

    The stock market is currently producing stories as different as one could possibly imagine. On one hand, we are witnessing impressive rallies—especially in the AI sector and among AI-related stocks—as well as historic milestones at established German blue-chip companies such as Allianz. Record profits and full order books are pushing share prices to levels unimaginable just a few years ago. On the other hand, smaller technology companies are stepping into the spotlight, aiming to revolutionize entire industries with fresh ideas and smart partnerships. Today, we take a detailed look at this fascinating mix. We examine the rapid resurgence of a true energy heavyweight from Germany: Siemens Energy. We analyze the historic breakout of a Munich-based insurance giant: Allianz. And we highlight a Canadian materials specialist whose stock is approaching a decisive technical level and comes with highly intriguing news flow: HPQ Silicon. Take a moment to explore three completely different investment ideas, each carrying its own potential for excitement—and possibly gains—in your portfolio.

    Read

    Commented by Jens Castner on June 24th, 2026 | 08:20 CEST

    DIVIDENDS WITH SUBSTANCE: INTESA SANPAOLO, DWS GROUP, AND RE ROYALTIES UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

    • royalties
    • dividends
    • Investments
    • Banking
    • renewableenergy

    Dividend stocks have a decisive advantage in turbulent market conditions: They do not just promise dividends—they actually pay them. Investors who receive regular dividends are less reliant on perfectly timing their entry and exit points. The ongoing income cushions price fluctuations and provides predictability. But not every high dividend is a good dividend. What matters most is the sustainability of the payout. Ideally, a company combines both—an attractive yield and the fundamentals to sustain it over the long term. That is exactly what the major Italian bank Intesa Sanpaolo, the German asset manager DWS Group, and the Canadian renewable energy specialist RE Royalties offer. Three stocks, three risk profiles—and in each case, good reasons to take a closer look.

    Read

    Commented by Tarik Dede on June 22nd, 2026 | 07:10 CEST

    Gold and Silver in Focus: Shares of Hecla Mining, Desert Gold, and Kinross Gold Offer Opportunities

    • Mining
    • Gold
    • Silver
    • Africa
    • Commodities
    • Investments

    Peace negotiations between the US and Iran have begun. The groundwork has been laid, and there is still plenty of time to reach a long-term agreement. Curiously, investors flocked to the US dollar during the hostilities—a currency that has actually been losing value for years. It remains something of a mystery to the stock markets why, of all things, the currency of a completely over-indebted country is supposed to be a safe haven. Many attribute this to developments in interest rate expectations. However, a strong dollar has weighed on the price of gold in recent months. The price has now stabilized above USD 4,000 per ounce. Goldman Sachs recently issued a market update and set a price target of USD 5,000 by year-end. While this is a few hundred dollars below the previous target, if the analysts' forecast proves accurate, gold stocks are likely to benefit significantly. That would represent a gain of about 20% over the current price. The situation is very similar in the silver market. There is a tight supply of physical silver, and the rising dollar has caused price pullbacks. We are therefore taking a look today at the stocks of three attractive companies in the precious metals sector: Hecla Mining, Desert Gold, and Kinross Gold.

    Read