Think locally, benefit globally: JinkoSolar, Kontron, naoo

Solar hype at JinkoSolar: Decentralization is not everything

JinkoSolar is a leading global photovoltaic manufacturer with a fully integrated production process. From silicon wafers to solar cells to the final module, JinkoSolar covers the entire value chain, allowing it to produce particularly cost-effectively. Just a few years ago, JinkoSolar was a real stock market star. Now its shares are just one of many. However, after a few weak months, it has managed to make a small comeback above the EUR 20 mark – in 2022, the share price was still above EUR 60. But what has happened in the meantime?

Kontron: Jack of all trades in the Internet of Things

2022 was the peak of the energy crisis and inflation. Everything became more expensive, including solar modules. For JinkoSolar, with its excess capacity, 2022 was like a gold rush. Companies such as Kontron, the Austrian specialist for the Internet of Things and intelligent networking, also benefited during this period. The idea of storing energy, releasing it later and making everything smarter and more connected in general also drove Kontron's share price at the time. Today, the share price is even significantly higher than it was back then.

One reason for this is that Kontron operates in several industries and is not solely focused on the energy transition. In 2024, the Company increased its revenue by a whopping 37% to EUR 1.685 billion. Profits also climbed significantly. Particularly in demand were Internet of Things solutions for infrastructure and defense projects. At the end of 2024, Kontron had more orders than ever before.** Kontron's success demonstrates that diversified companies also have a more robust business and are less dependent on short-term hype.

naoo: Social media for the quality conscious

However, the disadvantage of such a diverse business model is that it is less easy to explain to potential investors and the general public. This is perhaps also the reason why naoo's share price has been anything but a source of returns in recent months. The Swiss company naoo operates a social media platform that rewards users through a points system for high-quality content and interaction. Users can exchange these "naoo points" for vouchers or cash - a model that strengthens customer loyalty. At the same time, naoo links online content with brick-and-mortar retailers: Companies can use the "naoo Business" tool to plan advertising campaigns that appeal to users digitally and reward them offline – for example, in physical stores.**

naoo is therefore a social media platform that brings people together based on their interests and connects them with local businesses. The interactions initiated in this way are likely to be valuable both from a marketing perspective and on a purely human level. This is underscored by the Company announcement that its subsidiary Kingfluencers is once again reporting positive operating cash flow following cost-cutting measures and good business. Kingfluencers is part of the naoo ecosystem and complements the platform with global, wide-reaching influencer networks and data-driven campaign logic. For naoo, these are the most important prerequisites for further growth.

Growth potential through influencer marketing

Since naoo appeals to users with different interests and offers opportunities for cooperation with different industries, the business of the innovative social media platform should be robust once the network reaches a certain critical size. The latest interim results from the fourth quarter of 2024 show strong user growth and increased interaction between users on the platform. Karl Fleetwood, CFO and COO of naoo AG, said at the time: "*Our position in the top 3 of the app charts is a strong signal. It demonstrates that our concept of personalized, relevant, and rewarding social media experiences is in line with the times and is inspiring an increasing number of users. But there is also a lot going on within the naoo community - the sharp rise in engagement confirms *that we are on the right track in every respect."**

Implementing good solutions locally is a recipe for success. The naoo platform makes the often superficial world of social networks more personal and relatable. This business model has not yet taken off on the stock market. Increased collaboration with influencers could help better monetize the platform and attract new users. The stock is a candidate for the watch list.