Politicians worldwide are committing themselves to increasingly ambitious and binding targets for the share of alternative energies in the overall energy mix. Corresponding green projects are being promoted with programs worth billions. For the transport and traffic sector, the European Commission has now prescribed a reduction in greenhouse gas intensity of at least 16% by 2030. The key to achieving the climate targets here lies in the switch to green hydrogen as an energy carrier. To ensure that production can start immediately, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the creation of a new "European Hydrogen Bank" and released a budget of EUR 3 billion from the existing Innovation Fund. First Hydrogen covers the complete value chain with its "Hydrogen-as-a-Service" model and is expected to benefit in all business areas.
It has happened. Varta AG from Ellwangen has had to suspend its annual targets. Even the complete guidance has been cashed in. In plain English: Varta is stuck in a cost squeeze and cannot pass on the increased manufacturing costs to its customers fast enough. As a result, this leads to temporary losses that will only be recouped when the world market price for Varta's products is again significantly higher than the production price. Specifically, Varta reported that it would no longer be able to achieve its sales and earnings targets in Q3 as well as for the current year. The share price reacted with a 50% drop. Where do we go from here?
The history of precious metal mining in Mexico goes back almost 600 years. As early as the Middle Ages, the glitter of gold exerted a strong attraction among the indigenous people and the later conquerors. Ultimately, the greed for gold was a trigger for many wars, and the advance of the Spanish and Portuguese to Latin America. Today, Mexico is one of the major mining states with a focus on gold and silver. In the state of Sonora, Tocvan Ventures is preparing to start commercial production with two very interesting projects. The prospects are bright and to soon be at the forefront in the slipstream of the big players.
In international comparison, Germany's financial center is again in danger of falling behind. The German banking summit exposes the weaknesses of our financial system, as it now needs tried and tested remedies. Against the backdrop of the current political upheavals, Germany's vulnerability as an industrial location is becoming apparent in terms of energy security, access to raw materials and the future viability of industry. SMEs are facing a cost explosion in every direction, and the necessary refinancing could also become really expensive in view of the economic parameters. After all, the spectre of insolvency is once again looming, with the government's COVID measures barely noticeable, at least in the last two years. The collapse of brands such as Hakle and Görtz, however, is alarming for the financial world. However the crisis takes its course, how will Deutsche Bank navigate its way through the storm?
This news even drowned out the disastrous start to the season of the "Big City Club" Hertha BSC in the capital: The group of companies, formerly known as wallstreet:online AG and now renamed Smartbroker Holding AG, parted company with its CEO Matthias Hach with immediate effect. According to founder and new boss, André Kolbinger, the reason was a difference of opinion regarding the future implementation of "Smartbroker 2.0". The launch of the major project has now been postponed to mid-2023, and a profit warning has already been issued. As a result, the share plummeted by more than 50%. As the new management undoubtedly expects the "online broker for the next generation" to take off, the current level could offer a long-term opportunity for disproportionate share price gains.
The quest for independence from Russian oil and gas is pushing politicians to come up with forward-looking alternative solutions. An agreement has now been concluded between Canada and Germany that is likely to represent a quantum leap for the hydrogen industry. The joint declaration of intent to invest in hydrogen and establish a transatlantic supply corridor between Canada and Germany marks the beginning of Canada's establishment as a major hydrogen producer. One of the biggest beneficiaries is likely the Canadian company First Hydrogen. CEO Balraj Mann already announced that "our 'Hydrogen-as-a-Service model' will be an emissions-free ecosystem solution for Canada and the rest of the world." The opportunities for this are excellent. At the same time, First Hydrogen is valued at a market capitalization of CAD 208.79 million and is still far from the billion-dollar stock market values of its competitors.
Charging infrastructure and the performance of batteries are decisive factors influencing the spread of e-mobility. Altech Advanced Materials is using an innovative coating technology to leave behind the disadvantages of conventional lithium-ion batteries, which already lose significant capacity after the first charging cycle. Using a patented process, batteries with significantly higher performance and service life are now being developed. Test production in a pilot plant is planned. There is much to suggest that the Company will create an e-car battery that is much more powerful than competing products in terms of weight or volume. An update.
Oil prices are slowly running out of steam, and the oil production companies do not care. In an economic environment where there is enough oil on this planet, it is a gift when prices go through the roof due to hysteria and you can come up with enough product. The oil industry in the US and Canada is back in full swing, with production companies pumping all that their oil pools can deliver. With oil prices at eight-year highs, it is good times for those that have oil production now. Saturn Oil & Gas of Saskatchewan has had the fortunate timing to have developed its production from a few hundred barrels per day in early 2021 to now over 11,000. Here are the figures for the 2nd quarter.
Hydrogen is one of the ultimate climate protection issues and is not only revolutionizing the automotive industry. The technology is becoming ever more explosive because only the interaction of all alternative and environmentally friendly processes appears promising. Unlike e-mobility, hydrogen with its specifications also reaches air, rail and shipping traffic and thus comes more into the focus of science. The opportunity for investors is favorable, as governments worldwide are proclaiming huge climate protection budgets. Joe Biden has just introduced the largest climate package in US history. Hydrogen is an important part of it. Europe is also getting ready to leap, but how has Nel ASA fared in this environment so far? The share price has already recovered 40% from its low in 2022. We take a critical look at the Norwegian company's half-year results.
Following its successful transformation from a venerable publishing house to a leading global provider of digital business-to-business media in the mining, energy and agriculture sectors, the signs at Aspermont are clearly pointing to expansion. Thanks to its highly scalable platform technology, the company from Down Under is growing strongly, both vertically and horizontally. With the launch of the financing platform "Blu Horseshoe", a quantum leap and the entry into the lucrative fintech market could now be celebrated. Although comparable projects were recently valued at a multiple of Aspermont's stock market value, the share chart of the Australians has been running sideways for months.