Where strong brands meet good concepts: Apple, Pathfinder Ventures, Deutsche Bank

Apple: An ecosystem for future profits

But what is the actual state of Apple? Is the share of the jack-of-all-trades no longer promising? The regular innovations from Cupertino also lead to steady sales. If you are a true Apple fan, you simply treat yourself to the better processor or, the more powerful smartphone. In addition, Apple is well-positioned in terms of digital content, and users buy music and movies from iTunes as a matter of course. Twenty years ago, things looked very different. Back then, anyone who wanted to sell music digitally had a hard time because of the numerous illegal alternatives. Today, it is quite normal to buy music. The reason for this is the ecosystems in which customers operate. Apple has created an ecosystem that will continue to generate revenue for many years to come. The stock is currently lagging behind other tech stocks, but this can become an opportunity in the medium term. In the short term, however, there is no need for action.

Pathfinder Ventures: Camping for families - Every good concept has a beginning

One company that is just starting to build its ecosystem for future revenue is Pathfinder Ventures. The operator of campgrounds with a focus on RVs launched in 2019 ahead of the pandemic to buy up some previously family-run sites and digitize booking processes and other service offerings. One of the Company's focuses is on family-friendly sites that are located in scenic areas and also offer recreational activities. Another mainstay of Pathfinder Ventures is RV parking. Since Pathfinder operates campgrounds in Canada in the District of British Columbia, sometimes only a few kilometers from major cities, there are not only permanent campers but also weekend guests who want to park their "Recreation Vehicle" (RV) on-site.

Currently, Pathfinder Ventures operates three RV parks and has its sights set on other potential acquisition targets. Since the market for campgrounds in Canada and the US is very fragmented, and there is an obvious digitalization deficit in terms of marketing and service, the team around founder and camping fan Joe Bleackley expects synergy effects and growth potential from further acquisitions. Families, in particular, rely on modern equipment, leisure activities, digital services, and quiet sites and should thus become regular guests of Pathfinder. The Company's goal is to become a reliable brand that offers consistent standards for a lucrative target group. Already, a round trip through all of Pathfinder's parks through British Columbia and Vancouver Island is an option. In addition to guests from Canada, tourists from Europe could also play a growing role for Pathfinder Ventures in the long term. The Company is currently valued at EUR 4.6 million. Besides billion-dollar companies such as Sun Communities or Equity Lifestyle Properties, it is the only smallcap in the RV vacation and camping sector.

Deutsche Bank: Share does not get going

A relaxing few weeks in a mobile home in Canada should also be good for leading Deutsche Bank employees - if the public prosecutor's office doesn't call in between. Although only the fund subsidiary DWS was recently affected, the frequent activities of the authorities in the Frankfurt bank towers are noticeable. Otherwise, things are not going badly for Deutsche Bank. The prospect of rising interest rates, also in Europe, gives hope to the lending business. Coupled with the digitalization of recent years, Deutsche Bank could play a more vital role in the market again in the medium term. Perhaps the pressure to generate returns in other areas at any price will then also fade. Despite the good prospects, the share is not really gaining momentum. The pressure to act looks different.

While shares like Deutsche Bank, with the efficiency gains of recent years still not falling on fertile ground, even though the turnaround in interest rates is already underway, the potential at Apple seems to have been exhausted to some extent. Nevertheless, the Company from Cupertino has great potential - every new product that the corporation can successfully integrate into its ecosystem is likely to be a success. Similarly, the camping park operator Pathfinder Ventures could also succeed. Digital infrastructure and consistent quality for families is a compelling concept. More parks and the story could become a no-brainer. The story is at the beginning, but that is precisely why it is worth following closely!