Interest rate concerns, geopolitical tensions and abrupt price movements are making capital markets increasingly unpredictable. In such an environment, gold benefits from its role as a crisis currency, but for investors, it is not just the gold price that matters; it is also which projects can actually benefit economically from it. This is where Lahontan Gold (ISIN: CA50732M1014 | TSX-V: LG | FRA: Y2F | WKN: A3DKKY) comes into focus. The Canadian company focuses on Nevada, an established US gold-mining region with comparatively reliable legal and regulatory frameworks. At its heart is the Santa Fe project, whose resource base has recently grown significantly. Lahontan reports a total of around 2.39 million ounces of gold equivalent in the Indicated and Inferred categories. At the same time, investigations into historic heap-leach material could open up an opportunity to recover additional gold and silver from previously mined ore. Lahontan is also setting a new strategic course: The planned acquisition of Emergent Metals is intended to strengthen control over West Santa Fe, eliminate future payment obligations and certain royalty burdens, and expand the regional project portfolio. In addition, a new drilling programme at West Santa Fe could pave the way for further growth. The decisive test, however, will come with the revised preliminary economic assessment (PEA). It must show how resource growth, potential heap processing and better control over the projects actually translate into viable mine economics. The company is targeting construction to start in 2027. An exciting time is beginning - CEO Kimberly Ann shows how steady progress can bring the goal within reach. Investors could see significant upside!
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It is now becoming increasingly clear that ZEFIRO METHANE (Canada: ZEFI | ISIN: CA98926D1069 | WKN: A3DVHU) is far more than just a specialist in well remediation. The company is positioning itself with great success at the intersection of energy infrastructure, environmental protection, and decarbonization. It is right in tune with the spirit of the times and at the heart of the growing needs of the US economy. Behind the millions of orphaned oil and gas wells, a billion-dollar market is emerging. Leaking orphaned wells must be plugged, sites remediated, and methane emissions permanently reduced. Zefiro has already proven that environmental responsibility and a scalable business model can go hand in hand. Revenue jumped by 31.1% in fiscal year 2025/26 to a record USD 42.5 million, while adjusted EBITDA was significantly positive for the first time at USD 3.8 million. With the acquisition of the Viking Well Service fleet, the record-breaking USD 19.6 million contract from Ohio, and other major projects through 2029, the company's operational reach is expanding. For investors, one often-overlooked aspect is that Zefiro does not treat ESG as a mere public relations message, but as a concrete component of its business model. Demand now ranges from government remediation programs to private clients that require clean, risk-free sites for infrastructure projects. A striking example of this expansion is the second contract in Cuyahoga Valley National Park near Cleveland, where Zefiro has now successfully plugged two additional oil and gas wells. The key point: The US National Park Service counts approximately 1,800 wells in at least 47 US national parks, opening up a particularly sensitive environment for Zefiro with significant long-term growth potential. At a valuation of approximately CAD 52 million, investors can get in on this green-energy mission. Analysts agree: "The time for a revaluation has come!"
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Now it is there in black and white: ZEFIRO METHANE (Canada: ZEFI | ISIN: CA98926D1069 | WKN: A3DVHU) is set to benefit from the US energy push. Booming demand for electricity from AI data centres is driving demand for infrastructure solutions. A massive wave of orders awaits Zefiro to rehabilitate millions of abandoned and orphaned wells. The Greentech company is now shifting into the fast lane, driving annual revenue to a record high of USD 42.5 million—explosive growth of 31.1%. This revenue boom is just the foundation for the upcoming profit phase, as adjusted EBITDA has also moved into clearly positive territory at USD 3.8 million. Well-positioned both financially and operationally, Zefiro is now taking things to the next level with its newly acquired fleet from Viking Well Service and a record USD 19.6 million order from Ohio. The pipeline for the coming years is taking shape, underpinned by a newly secured follow-on order worth USD 11.5 million, which guarantees reliable revenue well into 2029. For investors, the outlook for the coming years is even brighter. For several months now, demand has been further driven by tech giants that urgently need clean sites for their new data centres and are willing to pay top prices. As operational expansion gains momentum, management is looking forward to a high-margin fiscal year 2027. Investors looking to invest in the megatrend of infrastructure and decarbonization will find in Zefiro Methane a highly dynamic small-cap story that is just beginning to really take off.
Created and Published on Behalf of Zefiro Methane Corp.
The world is undergoing a dynamic transformation driven by various factors, which are particularly evident in the energy sector. As a result, the United States, in particular, faces an unprecedented infrastructure challenge. This is because massive growth in energy demand from data centres, industry, and e-mobility is increasing the need for new power generation, while millions of orphaned oil and gas wells must be environmentally remediated and secured. This is where ZEFIRO METHANE (Canada: ZEFI | WKN: A3DVHU | ISIN: CA98926D1069) is positioning itself with a business model that combines addressing environmental challenges with meeting infrastructure needs. Its subsidiary, Plants & Goodwin, not only plugs orphaned wells but also manages key steps in-house—from technical assessment and cementing to decommissioning and subsequent emissions monitoring. With new equipment, additional crews, expansion into what are now 13 US states, and a growing network of government and private clients, Zefiro's operational reach has significantly increased. The latest government-funded contract worth USD 11.5 million adds another multi-year revenue stream to the company's portfolio. At the same time, interest in the capital market is growing. Following GBC, ATB Cormark has now also analysed the stock and rated it "Outperform". While GBC has calculated a price target of CAD 2.12, Cormark initially sees CAD 1.00 and simultaneously points to additional value drivers through M&A and carbon credits. This makes Zefiro Methane an unusual small-cap story, where a real-world problem worth billions intersects with an operationally growing company. In recent days, the stock market appears to be taking note.
The ECB continues to tighten monetary policy, but the gold rally shows no signs of slowing down! Rising interest rates are typically considered poison for non-interest-bearing precious metals. Yet, in the current stagflationary environment, driven by the Middle East conflict and oil prices above USD 100, investors are turning even more to gold as the ultimate safe haven. Goldman Sachs has already raised its oil price target to USD 120 per barrel, which is massively fueling inflationary pressure and, consequently, the ECB's pressure to raise interest rates. But where does capital flee when the ground is burning? Welcome to Nevada, the epicentre of the modern gold rush, which accounts for 70% of US production and offers maximum political stability. While industry giants like Newmont and Barrick are just now settling their dispute, one agile player is stealing the show: Lahontan Gold Corp. (ISIN: CA50732M1014 | TSX-V: LG | FRA: Y2F | WKN: A3DKKY). The company is the perfect combination of speed and security. While others will still be drilling for years to come, CEO Kimberly Ann is out of the starting blocks with her flagship Santa Fe Project. The first ounces will start flowing as early as 2027. Recent drilling is already providing the final data for environmental permits, and a new resource estimate is imminent. The best part for investors: with a fully funded cash position through 2027, there is no risk of dilutive capital increases, while value systematically climbs with follow-up drilling. The world is shaking, and Lahontan is sitting right on top of a gold vein in Nevada. Meanwhile, JPMorgan is countering with a target of USD 6,000 for gold by the end of 2026—wow, that tops the January highs all over again! And the good news for newcomers: this story is just getting started!
Almonty Industries (WKN: A414Q8 | ISIN: CA0203987072 | Ticker Symbol (FRA/USA): ALI/ALM) is in a completely different position today than it was just a few months ago. What was primarily viewed for years as an ambitious development project is now evolving into a strategic raw materials platform featuring production, long-term secured sales volumes, and an exceptionally strong capital base. The timing could hardly be more exciting, as tungsten has long been more than just a metal for tools and industrial applications. Modern defense systems, semiconductors, high-performance electronics, and numerous high-tech applications require secure supply chains. CEO Lewis Black has taken on the challenges and is poised to secure the West's critical needs. With the Sangdong mine in South Korea, ongoing production in Portugal, and additional growth projects in North America and Europe, Almonty is positioning itself as one of the most important Western-oriented suppliers of strategic metals such as tungsten and molybdenum. At the same time, the company's financial structure is undergoing a fundamental transformation. The cash flow from operations and the oversubscribed convertible senior notes offering are enabling management to advance several strategic projects simultaneously. Rarely has there been a more promising setup!
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The rapid expansion of AI data centers, power grids, and new energy infrastructure is increasing demand for secure land and reliable energy—while the need to eliminate decades-old methane leaks is becoming increasingly urgent. This represents an extremely lucrative field of activity for the Canadian environmental specialist ZEFIRO METHANE (CAD 0.61 | Canada: ZEFI | WKN: A3DVHU | ISIN: CA98926D1069). The company pursues a business model that transforms a massive problem of contaminated sites into a growing infrastructure market. This involves identifying and plugging environmentally harmful methane emissions. The focus is on abandoned oil and gas wells, the remediation of which—along with the verifiably avoided emissions—subsequently generates carbon credits. Support for this effort comes from multi-billion-dollar US programs for the remediation of so-called "orphan wells" as well as a steadily growing number of private energy and infrastructure projects. With operations now active in 13 US states and additional drilling equipment, Zefiro has significantly expanded its capacity, thereby laying the groundwork for further organic and inorganic growth. The recent collaboration with the Well Done Foundation also opens up access to a nationwide network and is already bringing specific projects in Oklahoma to fruition. At the same time, the high-margin methane monitoring business is growing, having already secured a contract worth approximately USD 850,000 for the state of West Virginia. The operational order backlog is also gaining momentum. In addition to several private well campaigns, state projects in Ohio and a three-year contract worth approximately USD 19.6 million ensure high revenue visibility. For the current fiscal year, management is projecting revenue of approximately USD 55 million, marking the beginning of the next phase of growth. For risk-conscious investors, this presents a small-cap stock that combines environmental technology, energy infrastructure, methane reduction, and the growing market for emissions credits into an extraordinary growth story.
Almonty Industries (WKN: A414Q8 | ISIN: CA0203987072 | Ticker Symbol (FRA/USA): ALI/ALM) is evolving from an ambitious tungsten developer into the West's strategic raw materials platform. With the ramp-up of the Sangdong mine in South Korea, the phase Almonty has been working toward for more than a decade is now beginning: billions in investments and vast resources are giving rise to an operating business with growing revenue and cash flow potential. The latest quarterly figures provide an impressive preview of this. Revenue skyrocketed by 498% to CAD 43 million in the second quarter, adjusted EBITDA rose to CAD 17.6 million, and the company now has approximately CAD 1.2 billion in cash and cash equivalents following the oversubscribed USD 800 million convertible senior notes offering. At the same time, the GTP offtake agreement was extended to 21 years, the committed volume was increased by 40%, and the price basis was improved by approximately 6.3%—an exceptional revenue anchor for the coming decades. But Almonty has long been looking beyond Sangdong: Phase II, the tungsten oxide plant in South Korea, Panasqueira, and above all Gentung in Montana open up additional avenues for growth. Montana, in particular, is gaining significance, as right next to Almonty's Gentung deposit, the latest exploration results from Red Mountain Mining's Pioneer Project are yielding tungsten grades of up to 0.32% WO₃, thereby confirming the exceptional potential of the entire district. So while China is increasingly using the tungsten market as a geopolitical lever and Western defense and high-tech industries urgently need alternative sources of supply, Almonty's strategic value extends far beyond the traditional valuation of a mining company. Here is an update!
As the insatiable energy demand of new AI data centers drives electricity consumption sharply higher, regulatory pressure to achieve drastic reductions in methane emissions is increasing at the same time. In this dynamic market environment, the continued exploitation of fossil fuel reserves is coming under growing criticism from climate activists. This is where the Canadian environmental services company occupies an attractive intersection between environmental protection and modern infrastructure. ZEFIRO METHANE (CAD 0.61 | NEO: ZEFI | WKN: A3DVHU | ISIN: CA98926D1069) is turning the ticking ecological time bomb of orphaned oil and gas wells into a highly scalable, potentially profitable business of the future. The company operates as an integrated full-service provider, generating revenue from both physical remediation of abandoned wells and from high-tech, precision measurement of methane emissions. A strong order book is supported over the long term by billion-dollar government funding programs, including the US Infrastructure Act. Through the targeted acquisition of specialized drilling equipment, Zefiro is currently expanding its operational reach significantly to 13 US states. In addition, its business involving scientifically verified methane emission credits is expected to launch in the fall of 2026, potentially providing a further boost to margins. Consequently, GBC analysts forecast that the company will finally move above the break-even threshold in fiscal year 2026/27. With revenue expected to surge to more than USD 45 million, the company's growth trajectory is set to accelerate significantly during the current cycle. The highlight for investors: a three-year major contract with government agencies provides the small-cap company with a solid baseline level of operational activity through 2029. In its initial coverage, GBC sees substantial upside potential and assigns a price target of CAD 2.12. For risk-conscious investors, the undervalued shares therefore offer a first-class opportunity to benefit directly from the North American decarbonization boom.
Almonty Industries (WKN: A414Q8 | ISIN: CA0203987072 | Ticker Symbol (FRA/USA): ALI/ALM) is emerging as an indispensable shield for Western raw material sovereignty in a highly volatile geopolitical market environment. While Asian producing countries are drastically tightening their export restrictions on critical metals, the company is already generating unstoppable liquidity thanks to the operational milestone achieved at its world-class Sangdong deposit. The company's fundamentals are cemented by the forward-thinking extension of its offtake agreement with Global Tungsten & Powders (GTP) to over two decades, which—thanks to a 40% increase in volume—catapults future revenue potential to nearly half a billion US dollars. This unprecedented earning power is increasingly attracting international attention and makes acquisitions a possible exit scenario. Following the start of production in Sangdong, the strategic focus now shifts to the first steps in the US state of Montana. Here, attention is turning to the directly adjacent Pioneer property of the Australian explorer Red Mountain Mining, where geologists are currently conducting systematic rock analyses on the Greenstone, Lost Creek, and Mammoth claims. Initial peak values of up to 0.32% tungsten oxide confirm spectacular ore grades that are on par with those of Almonty's immediately adjacent Gentung large-scale deposit (6.83 million metric tons at 0.315% WO₃). There are strong indications that Almonty will take another significant step forward in just a few months. Currently, due to sector consolidation, the stock is trading at around USD 13.70 or EUR 12.20. The timing for re-entering the market could not be better.
While the escalating crisis in the Middle East keeps global oil markets on edge and amplifies calls for energy independence in the West, natural gas is experiencing a renaissance as an indispensable bridge fuel. But the massive appetite for electricity, unrelentingly fueled by gigantic AI data centers, has a critical downside: the pressure to radically eliminate climate-damaging methane emissions is growing noticeably and is being amplified by regulatory changes. Amid this highly volatile interplay of geopolitics, an infrastructure boom, and the tech revolution, the Canadian environmental infrastructure company Zefiro Methane (0.63 CAD | NEO: ZEFI | WKN: A3DVHU | ISIN: CA98926D1069) is accelerating its growth. In the US alone, millions of abandoned, methane-leaking oil and gas wells constitute a multi-billion-dollar ecological time bomb that is blocking the development of new modern energy projects. Zefiro has developed the perfect business model for this crisis. By acquiring the equipment (assets) from Viking Well Service and forming powerful alliances such as the Well Done Foundation, the company is rapidly expanding its market presence across the board. Instead of tedious bureaucracy, government programs worth billions, such as the "Infrastructure Investment Act", are ensuring full order books in what are now 13 US states and will catapult Zefiro into a new revenue dimension starting in fiscal year 2026/27, and most likely into profitability even sooner. Furthermore, when the high-margin business with voluntary carbon credits resumes in the fall of 2026 under a new methodology, traditional well remediation will merge with high-tech emissions measurement to form an unstoppable cash machine. For visionary investors looking to capitalize on the rapidly growing demand for AI-powered energy, global supply concerns, and stringent climate regulations, this highly scalable small-cap stock is currently one of the hottest growth plays on the North American stock market.
Almonty Industries (WKN: A414Q8 | ISIN: CA0203987072 | Ticker Symbol (FRA/USA): ALI/ALM) is evolving from a mining operator into the strategic backbone of the Western tungsten supply chain. As China tightens its export restrictions and demand from the defense, aerospace, semiconductor, and high-tech sectors rises rapidly, Almonty has taken the decisive step toward becoming a cash flow generator with the start of production at its world-class Sangdong mine. Crucially, the long-term offtake agreement with Global Tungsten & Powders (GTP) was extended to 21 years, the contract volume was expanded by 40%, and the expected annual revenue potential at current prices was increased to approximately USD 490 million—a scale that is unparalleled in the industry. This development is complemented by an exceptionally strong balance sheet, a focus on the Nasdaq as an international capital market, and ambitious expansion plans including Phase II, tungsten oxide production, and the molybdenum project. Analysts anticipate explosive growth in production, revenue, and cash flow in the coming years, even as tungsten prices remain at historically high levels. Although the market is beginning to price in the company's geopolitical significance, the actual revaluation could really gain momentum with each production milestone achieved. Investors looking to bet on one of the few Western beneficiaries of the strategic shift toward critical minerals will find in Almonty a rare combination of operational momentum, long-term revenue security, and exceptional leverage on a structurally scarce commodity of the future. The welcome consolidation in the raw materials markets plays right into the hands of long-term investors.
The energy transition was long thought of as a simple swap: out with fossil fuels, in with renewables. In practice, however, the picture is increasingly complex. Global electricity demand is growing rapidly, driven by data centers, artificial intelligence, and ongoing electrification. In this environment, natural gas is becoming increasingly important as a flexible transitional solution. At the same time, regulatory and economic pressure is mounting to consistently and measurably reduce methane emissions throughout the entire value chain. The Canadian company ZEFIRO METHANE (CAD 0.65 | NEO: ZEFI | WKN: A3DVHU | ISIN: CA98926D1069) has positioned itself in this multi-billion-dollar market of the future, as millions of abandoned oil and gas wells in the US alone must be permanently plugged. Zefiro combines traditional environmental services with modern methane measurement and the generation of high-value emissions credits, creating multiple high-margin revenue streams. At the same time, its operating business is growing dynamically, supported by a robust order backlog, strategic acquisitions, and continuous expansion into new US states. The boom surrounding AI data centers provides additional upside potential, as many new energy and infrastructure projects can only be implemented after the remediation of old wells. Through its partnership with the Well Done Foundation, Zefiro is expanding its access to numerous additional projects and strengthening its position as one of the leading specialists in the remediation of so-called "orphan wells" in the US. The combination of environmental technology, infrastructure, regulatory tailwinds, and the emerging market for methane credits creates exceptional scaling potential. For risk-tolerant investors, Zefiro Methane could therefore rank among the most exciting small-cap growth stocks in the North American environmental and infrastructure sector.
Almonty Industries (WKN: A414Q8 | ISIN: CA0203987072 | Ticker Symbol (FRA/USA): ALI/ALM) is currently writing one of the most compelling growth stories in the global critical minerals sector. While China continues to dominate the tungsten market and Western nations are restructuring their supply chains for defense, semiconductors, and high-tech industries, Almonty is emerging as arguably the most significant non-Chinese tungsten producer. With the start of production at the world-class Sangdong mine, a heavily oversubscribed financing round of more than USD 700 million, inclusion in the Russell 1000 Index, and additional growth opportunities through its molybdenum business and the Montana project in the United States, operational milestones are piling up at a rapid pace. At the same time, comparatively low production costs coincide with historically elevated tungsten prices—a combination that could create significant earnings potential. So far, the market may not have fully reflected these developments in the company's valuation. Increasingly, however, institutional investors appear to recognize that Almonty is more than just another mining company. It is positioning itself as a strategic supplier of a critical raw material for Western industries. The revaluation began in 2026, but given the operational momentum, geopolitical tailwinds, and long-term growth opportunities, it may be far from over. Anyone looking to invest in the next generation of strategic commodities companies should keep a particularly close eye on Almonty Industries right now. Currently, an interesting consolidation pattern is forming, and its completion should be followed by an upward breakout.
Inspection, delivery, and defence—three key application areas for drones! But that is by no means all this highly dynamic market has to offer. The defence industry is currently undergoing a structural transformation that is increasingly blurring the traditional boundaries between aviation, software, and data analysis. In this context, unmanned systems are evolving from tactical tools into networked decision-making platforms capable of altering the operational landscape in fractions of a second. What matters most is no longer just the flight platform but the ability to process information in real time and derive actionable results. Furthermore, a rapidly growing field of countermeasure technologies is emerging, giving rise to new business models centred on electronic control and system suppression. The global influx of capital into this sector ensures that individual companies can shift into entirely new valuation dimensions within a very short time. The crucial question now is who will actually define the next level of industrial air superiority in this technological race—and who will fall behind. Volatus Aerospace Inc. (TSX-V: FLT | WKN: A2JEQU | ISIN: CA92865M1023) is emerging as a leader in the technological landscape of operational drone use, training, and scalable autonomy and data architecture. Exciting segments that interlock within a single capital market narrative. It is time to act!
Unmanned aviation is no longer just a vision! In recent years, there has been a significant acceleration; currently, the market is shifting from a supporting technology toward a standalone military-industrial infrastructure. Today, data, autonomy, and speed are what matter; they have become more crucial than raw hardware performance. Modern operational scenarios show that drones are no longer isolated aircraft but are embedded as networked systems within AI architectures that integrate target detection, route planning, and battlefield analysis in real time. Current conflicts make it clear that military superiority increasingly stems from the ability to process information flows faster than the enemy can react. In parallel, a new paradigm of anti-drone warfare is emerging, in which detection, jamming, and neutralization are becoming just as important as the mission itself. Amid this dynamic, the market is shifting toward integrated platforms that combine hardware, software, training, and mission management. Volatus Aerospace Inc. (TSX-V: FLT | WKN: A2JEQU | ISIN: CA92865M1023) has recognized the signs of the times and is positioning itself at this intersection of operational drone use and scalable autonomy and data architecture. For the capital market, this creates a profile in which geopolitical demand, software monetization, and industrial scaling are increasingly intertwined. Things could not be going better! Volatus is increasingly being perceived as a platform provider in a new generation of autonomous air and security infrastructure. Following successful financing, the stock is surging again!
The hunt for critical raw materials has long since reached a new dimension. While Europe and North America seek to reduce their dependence on Chinese supply chains, new resource hubs of strategic importance for industry, defence, and the energy transition are emerging. The Canadian province of Québec plays a key role in this context. Thanks to political stability, affordable hydropower, modern infrastructure, and government support, the region is developing into a central component of the North American supply system for critical metals. On the ground, the resource explorer Strategic Resources (CAD 0.27 | TSX-V: SR | WKN: A2AP0B | ISIN: CA86277X3004) has already ticked off a long list of requirements to establish a firm foothold in this era of scarcity.
With the BlackRock project, the company possesses an unusual combination of iron, vanadium, and titanium—three raw materials needed for both the decarbonization of the steel industry and for battery and defence applications. Particularly exciting is the planned production of high-quality DR-grade iron ore pellets. These are considered an indispensable raw material for modern electric arc furnaces and hydrogen-capable direct reduction plants, which are intended to reduce the steel industry's CO₂ emissions worldwide. Added to this is the strategic integration into the North American value chain. With government support, a planned annual processing capacity of 4 million tonnes, and a partnership to develop vanadium-based battery materials, the company has already moved beyond its infancy. Strategic Resources is thus far more than a traditional commodity stock—it is a bet on the restructuring of Western supply chains for critical metals and the industrial transformation of North America. With a market capitalization of just CAD 16 million, the story is really picking up steam!
Geopolitical tensions, fragile supply chains, and the growing global demand for critical metals are fundamentally changing the rules of the game in the commodities sector. Many industrialized nations are seeking to secure their supply of strategic raw materials more intelligently, with a focus shifting toward high-quality deposits in politically stable regions. This is where Power Metallic Mines Inc. (WKN: A40S32 | ISIN: CA73929R1055 | Ticker Symbol: PNPN) positions itself with its NISK project in Québec. The company is developing one of the most dynamic polymetallic exploration projects in North America today, combining several metals of the future in a single system: copper, gold, nickel, platinum, palladium, and silver. The most recently published drill results attracted attention with exceptionally high copper-equivalent grades, which impressively underscore the deposit's potential. Strong metallurgical results, financing expanded to CAD 30 million, and the upcoming first resource estimate are fueling further excitement. With an ongoing 100,000 m drilling program, several active target areas, and a clear development strategy, Power Metallic is steadily progressing from the exploration phase into the development phase. Of particular interest to investors: Extensive financing measures signal that CEO Terry Lynch is acting decisively. For him, results matter more than words as he drives the company consistently forward. Altogether, these are powerful catalysts for a market revaluation.
Gold is back in vogue! Central banks purchased more than 850 tons of the yellow metal in 2025, with only a few selling off their reserves. But where is all this gold coming from? The US state of Nevada accounts for around 70% of total US gold production, making it one of the most significant mining regions worldwide. The state alone is home to billions in investments from international mining companies and a multitude of active mining projects concentrated in a small area. Rising inflation and geopolitical uncertainties are once again directing capital flows toward precious metals, with a clear focus on politically stable mining regions. In addition to Barrick Mining and Newmont, there are a number of projects at various stages of development. Lahontan Gold Corp. (ISIN: CA50732M1014 | TSX-V: LG | FRA: Y2F | WKN: A3DKKY) is very far along; the first ounces are expected to enter circulation as early as 2027. The Santa Fe project is at the center of this. Recent drilling programs are providing key data for environmental and permitting issues, particularly regarding groundwater and future tailings disposal. At the same time, an updated resource estimate is nearing completion, which will serve as the basis for a new economic assessment. With secured financing through 2027 and extensive follow-up drilling at multiple target zones, the company is systematically building value. A new gold rush in Nevada has begun!
The days of smooth commodity flows are over. Tariff barriers, export bans, and targeted supply restrictions on critical metals are shifting from the exception to the structural norm. For investors, these are no longer marginal issues but key drivers of valuations and risk premiums. This dynamic is exacerbated by increasing geopolitical fragmentation, not least due to the Iran conflict, which acts as an additional stress factor on energy and logistics routes and ruthlessly exposes the vulnerability of global supply chains. Western industries are thus coming under massive pressure to act. In key strategic sectors such as semiconductor technology, aerospace, and defence, order volumes are skyrocketing. Within the NATO framework, defence spending as a share of GDP has been steadily rising, and orders since 2024 have multiplied rapidly. This trend is unlikely to lose momentum amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. At the same time, rising demand for security-related materials is forcing companies to reorganize their procurement strategies. Tungsten is a critical metal which has driven up its procurement price by a factor of 10. The beneficiary in this environment is the tungsten and molybdenum specialist Almonty Industries (WKN: A414Q8 | ISIN: CA0203987072 | Ticker Symbol (FRA/USA): ALI/ALM). A comprehensive revaluation is already underway, but analysts believe there is still plenty of room for further upside.
The world keeps turning! A noticeable shift in strategy is underway in Brussels. While the expansion of renewable energy remains at the heart of the European "Green Deal," the EU is increasingly recognizing that a stable baseload supply and hydrogen production are hardly realistically scalable without additional nuclear capacity. This is precisely why nuclear energy, and modern SMR technologies in particular, have already been classified as climate-friendly transitional solutions in parts of the European taxonomy, while programs like "REPowerEU" are driving billions in investments in hydrogen infrastructure and energy security. At the same time, the global market for autonomous systems, security robotics, and drone services is growing at an enormous pace. First Hydrogen (0.33 EUR | WKN: A3C40W | ISIN: CA32057N1042) is no longer positioning itself solely in the hydrogen segment, but now at the intersection of energy, defence technology, robotics, and AI infrastructure. As a new multi-player in the energy and security segment, the Canadians are already well-positioned. The market is buzzing!
The global race for the next generation of high-performance energy storage is currently gaining significant momentum. Artificial intelligence, data centers, autonomous systems, and the electrification of entire industries are driving energy demand to new record highs. The need for more efficient battery solutions is exploding. While billions are flowing into AI infrastructure and high-performance servers, a bottleneck is suddenly coming into sharper focus: the ability to store energy in a compact, stable, and rapidly accessible manner. At this intersection, HPQ Silicon (CAD 0.18 | TSX-V: HPQ | WKN: A3DQZ3 | ISIN: CA40444L1031) is positioning itself with its silicon-based anode materials as a potential technology accelerator for a new era of batteries. Energy densities of up to 395 Wh/kg, capacities exceeding 7,000 mAh, and compatibility with existing production lines make the technology particularly exciting for industrial applications under high-performance pressure. At the same time, initial commercial orders from the drone sector are ensuring that what started as a research story is increasingly becoming a real growth story. In a market where investors are feverishly searching for the next AI, energy, and infrastructure winners, HPQ Silicon could offer precisely the rare combination of technological innovation, scaling potential, and strategic relevance that often unleashes explosive momentum on the stock market. The HPQ story is right on trend—billion-dollar markets are emerging now!
With inflation data currently exceeding 3%, the price of gold is once again making headlines and drawing investor interest toward promising precious metal projects. Hardly any region in the U.S. combines mineral wealth, infrastructure, and regulatory stability as consistently as Nevada. The state is considered the backbone of American gold production and, due to its low political risks, has attracted billions in investments from international mining companies for decades. Major producers such as Barrick Gold and Newmont Corporation control multi-billion-dollar mining complexes there, making Nevada synonymous with political stability, infrastructure, and mining-friendly regulation. In particular, the approximately 800-kilometer-long Walker Lane is regarded by geologists as one of North America’s most exciting gold and silver corridors—featuring numerous historic mines, new discoveries, and enormous exploration potential. It is precisely there that Lahontan Gold Corp. (ISIN: CA50732M1014 | TSX-V: LG | FRA: Y2F | WKN: A3DKKY) is driving its transformation from explorer to future producer and working to bring a historically producing gold mine back into operation. Particularly exciting: With every new drilling program, not only does the resource grow, but so does the prospect of a significantly larger underground gold system. At the same time, with potential production as early as 2027, a classic revaluation cycle is drawing nearer. Time is of the essence!
In times of rising government debt, geopolitical uncertainty, and persistent inflation concerns, gold remains the preferred store of value for many investors. The hunt for high-quality gold projects in West Africa is reaching a new level of intensity as gold prices near USD 5,000. International mining companies are increasingly securing strategic positions along Africa's key gold corridors while generating record cash flows at current spot prices. The Senegal-Mali Shear Zone, in particular, is emerging as a focal point of institutional attention, as it combines world-class geology, existing infrastructure, and multi-million-ounce deposits. It is precisely there that the Canadian explorer and developer Desert Gold Ventures controls a 440 km² land package situated between the Tier-1 mines of Barrick Mining, B2Gold, and Allied Gold. To date, 1.2 million ounces of gold resources have been identified, but exploration efforts have recently been intensified. The difference from many other explorers: Desert Gold is now visibly moving toward production. The modular gravity plant for Barani East is already en route to Mali, with commissioning targeted for July 2026, and the ongoing drilling programs could further expand the resource. According to the PEA sensitivity analysis and the assumption of stable gold prices, the project value is rapidly rising to levels well above USD 100 million at current prices. Consequently, in their latest research update, analysts at GBC AG now estimate the fair value of the stock at CAD 0.93 and openly speak of significant revaluation potential.
For decades, the US state of Nevada has been one of the world's most significant gold-producing regions. With over 225 million ounces mined, it has built an impressive mining history that continues to attract international investors to this day. Major producers such as Barrick Mining and Newmont Corporation have established multi-billion-dollar mines here, laying the foundation for Nevada's reputation as a stable, mining-friendly jurisdiction. In particular, the approximately 800-km-long Walker Lane is considered one of North America's most exciting gold and silver corridors, where new deposits are continually being discovered and developed. It is precisely in this established mining district that Lahontan Gold Corp. (ISIN: CA50732M1014 | TSX-V: LG | FRA: Y2F | WKN: A3DKKY) is working to bring a historically producing mine back into production and systematically expand the existing resources. This positions the company in an environment that has already produced numerous success stories—and, with further progress, it could itself rise to become one of the next development projects in the gold-rich state of Nevada. The stock has already increased more than tenfold since 2025, yet the story is only just beginning!
Created and published on behalf of Antimony Resources Corp.
Western industrialized nations are under pressure! Geopolitical escalation has brought the commodity ANTIMONY into focus because it is indispensable for defense, high-tech, and the energy transition, and global supply is under pressure. With China's export restrictions and an already fragile global supply chain, antimony has rapidly evolved from a niche metal into a strategic bottleneck. This very situation can present an attractive opportunity for early-stage investors, provided they dynamically factor in high volatility, political risks, and potential extreme price fluctuations during the investment process. Antimony Resources (CSE: ATMY | ISIN: CA0369271014 | WKN: A414DM) exemplifies the quest for Western supply security in a market that is only just beginning to reveal its full strategic value. After all, global political conditions can turn upside down overnight, and then the room for maneuver becomes limited. For investors, therefore, what matters less is the mere narrative, and more is the proof that a company can actually translate resources, financing, and a timeline into reliable production in a market with a structural supply deficit.
Amid global turmoil surrounding Iran's nuclear facilities and the Strait of Hormuz, one thing is clear: strategic commodities remain scarce and in the spotlight for investors, as there are serious concerns about their availability in the medium term! Power Metallic Mines Inc. (WKN: A40S32 | ISIN: CA73929R1055 | Ticker Symbol: PNPN) is on the verge of a strategic revaluation thanks to its excellent positioning. Following exceptionally high-grade drilling results, the NISK project in Québec is increasingly proving to be a potential cornerstone of Western raw material supply. In the medium term, the company can offer exactly what many are looking for: a stable source of copper and platinum group metals - fully on the radar of industry and the capital markets.
Highlights at a glance:
+++ Québec ranks among the world's leading mining regions with low-carbon electricity from hydropower
+++ High-grade drill hits of 16.55 m with 15.11% copper equivalent demonstrate world-class potential
+++ Over 313 km² of project area controls the promising NISK-Lion-Tiger Corridor
+++ An ambitious drilling program of approximately 100,000 m in 2026 will drive resource expansion
+++ Metallurgical tests confirm exceptional recovery rates of up to 98.9% copper
+++ A high-grade sulfide concentrate with approximately 25% copper content enhances economic attractiveness
+++ Analysts estimate the current total project value at over CAD 700 million
+++ With a market capitalization of approximately CAD 243 million, research indicates a price potential of more than 170% to about CAD 2.85 per share
Power Metallic's land package in Québec, spanning over 300 km², controls one of North America's most promising polymetallic corridors and is increasingly emerging as a strategic option for the industry of tomorrow. At a time of growing geopolitical tensions and rising demand for critical raw materials, a project with exceptional leverage is taking shape here. For investors, this means one thing above all: the fundamental revaluation of this commodities story is only just beginning!**
Amid a geopolitically tense region, burdened by the Iran conflict, chronic government debt, and the ongoing devaluation of fiat currencies, base metals and precious metals are once again capturing the full attention of both institutional and retail investors. Added to this are delivery discrepancies for physical delivery on exchanges such as COMEX and LBMA, which reveal serious physical shortages and provide sustained support for prices. Cryptocurrencies may be considered "digital gold," but they offer no reliability for conservative hedging. Globex Mining benefits in two ways here: from high metal prices and a model without ongoing financing needs. This is because the company dominates the scene as a broadly diversified resource owner. Founded in 1949, the Canadian company under CEO Jack Stoch acquires, optimizes, and leases mineral-rich properties primarily in Canada and the US as a "Project Generator" and "Mineral Property Bank." With 270 assets, over 100 royalties and options, and a debt-free balance sheet, Globex leverages diversification alongside its partners. They handle the exploration work and minimize the risk for Globex Mining. With nearly 90% growth over the past 12 months, the journey has likely only just begun.
Unmanned aviation has quietly developed into a key technology of the 21st century. Systems that were once ridiculed are now strategic tools for business, government, and the military. Modern drones no longer operate in isolation, but as part of networked AI architectures that generate situational awareness, predict risks, and coordinate missions autonomously. In conflict regions such as Ukraine or, more recently, between the US, Iran, and Israel, the critical importance of airborne real-time intelligence is evident daily. Where pilots, helicopters, and large deployment units were once necessary, flexible, software-driven platforms now perform precise tasks. Their advantages lie in high speed combined with low radar detectability. Added to this is economic scalability, meaning significantly lower costs while providing higher information density. These developments extend far beyond the military and are driving applications in energy, infrastructure, border security, and disaster management. Volatus Aerospace Inc. (TSX-V: FLT | WKN: A2JEQU | ISIN: CA92865M1023) is one of the companies that anticipated this paradigm shift early on and implemented it industrially. For investors, this marks the beginning of a phase in which strategic relevance and growth are visibly converging for the first time. After a requested uplisting to the Canadian TSX, investors are now looking toward the NASDAQ. Time is of the essence…
Zijin Mining's billion-dollar takeover deal for Allied Gold, worth CAD 5.5 billion, is accelerating the wave of consolidation in the African gold sector. Driven by record prices for precious metals, high margins for mining operations, and the strategic desire for long-lasting African assets in viable jurisdictions, investors' eyes are turning to lucrative properties. Wars, inflation, and exploding national debts make precious metals the ultimate protection. Gold has gained 30% since the beginning of the year, while its little brother, silver, is riding a wave of stockpiling. Most analysts argue that short-term speculation is now giving way to medium-term value stability. Giants such as Barrick Mining with Loulo-Gounkoto, B2Gold with Fekola, and now Zijin via Allied's Sadiola mine are strategically positioning themselves in the Senegal-Mali Shear Zone (SMSZ), yet Mali's gold production fell by 23% in 2025. Canadian company Desert Gold Ventures controls the "reserve bank" between these Tier 1 mines with a 440 km² land package in the immediate vicinity, supplemented by scalable resources of currently over 1 million ounces. Today, it is clear that producers are no longer chasing visions, but rather expandable positions along proven zones. This is where Desert Gold's strength lies, either as a seamless add-on or as a small mine with an NPV of over USD 100 million at current gold prices. What Allied, Barrick, and B2Gold are demonstrating, Desert Gold can quickly replicate on a smaller scale. And if in doubt, the successful explorer will become the logical next takeover candidate in this elite league. The excitement is mounting, and so is the valuation!
Electrification is no longer a promise for the future, but an infrastructural reality. Autonomous systems, drone fleets, industrial robotics, AI data centers, and electromobility are growing in parallel – and they all share a common bottleneck: powerful energy storage devices. While software, sensor technology, and computing power are scaling exponentially, batteries as physical components are increasingly reaching their limits. This is precisely where it is decided which technologies will become marketable and which will ultimately fail. The global battery market is currently still dominated by Chinese suppliers who have built up production capacities and economies of scale over decades. However, geopolitical risks, export controls, and security-related applications are forcing Western industries to rethink their approach. The next generation of batteries offers the first opportunity to break this structural dependency. At the heart of this development are specialized technology companies such as NEO Battery Materials (ISIN: CA62908A1003 | TSX-V: NBM | WKN: A2QQBV), which enable higher energy densities, shorter charging times, and significant cost advantages with silicon-reinforced anodes. The transition from the classic lithium-ion cell to performance-optimized silicon architecture marks not an evolutionary step, but the beginning of an industrial realignment of the energy storage market.
Power Metallic Mines Inc. (WKN: A40S32 | ISIN: CA73929R1055 | Ticker Symbol: PNPN) announces outstanding initial metallurgical test results for the Lion Zone at the NISK Project, exceeding all expectations and positioning the project as a high-profile polymetallic asset. After a prolonged consolidation phase, the polymetallic sector is showing a dynamic turnaround, driven by extraordinary circumstances that are slowly becoming the new normal.
+++ Québec, Canada, is one of the best countries in the world for sustainable mining
+++ World-class discoveries of copper, nickel, platinum, palladium, gold, silver, and cobalt
+++ Adjacent to a nearby highway with direct access to green, CO2-neutral power
+++ 100,000-meter drilling program ensures abundant news flow in the coming months
+++ Demand boom for strategic metals continues unabated
+++ A locked cycle test (LCT) by SGS Canada achieved a sulfide concentrate of 25.8% copper
+++ Recoveries of 98.9% Cu, 93.9% Pd, 96.8% Pt, 85% Au, 88.9% Ag, and 77.1% Ni are unique
+++ Still undervalued with a market capitalization of just over CAD 370 million
+++ Analysts see up to 88% upside potential at a current price of CAD 1.60
Power Metallics' 313 km² land package in Québec, Canada, expanded through acquisitions in 2025, now controls the Nisk-Lion-Tiger corridor with 50 km of prospective basin margins. The Company is thus targeting Canada's next major polymetallic mine. The Western world is under pressure to act – the revaluation of Power Metallic shares is therefore only just beginning.
The global order of commodity markets is in a state of upheaval. Geopolitical tensions, export restrictions, and a highly concentrated supply structure for strategic metals are forcing Western industrialized nations to rethink their approach. Commodities with security and technology policy relevance are increasingly becoming the focus of political and economic decision-making processes. In this environment, new winners are emerging, especially where stable jurisdictions meet geologically promising projects. Antimony Resources (ISIN: CA0369271014 | CSE: ATMY | FRA: K8JO | WKN: A414DM) is positioning itself specifically as a potential building block for an independent Western supply by strategically developing the Bald Hill project, taking into account both political and economic conditions. The US administration knows that time is running out! Investors should take note!
In an increasingly fragile geopolitical environment characterized by military conflicts, structural over-indebtedness, and the ongoing erosion of fiat purchasing power, gold is once again moving into the strategic focus of both institutional and private investors. The massive purchases by central banks, with over 1,045 tons in 2024 alone and an estimated 1,200 tons in 2025, are less tactical in nature and more an expression of a long-term loss of confidence in the existing monetary system. At the same time, there is a shortage of physical stocks on the futures exchanges, which is providing additional support for the price. While cryptocurrencies are discussed as "digital gold," they have so far lacked the stability required for conservative asset protection. Companies such as Globex Mining benefit twice in this environment: from rising metal prices and from a business model that does not rely on a permanent inflow of capital. Globex Mining is the focus of attention as a broadly diversified resource owner. Founded in 1949 and now led by CEO Jack Stoch, the Canadian company is consistently focused on the acquisition, development, and targeted leasing of resource-rich properties, primarily in Canada and the US. With currently 265 assets and a broad diversification across gold, silver, base metal, and specialty metal projects, Globex is benefiting not only from the current precious metals boom, but also from political developments such as resource scarcity and trade tariffs. In 2026, a revaluation could take place that has not yet been seen.
In a world of extreme geopolitical instability, industrial producers are seeking secure supplies of strategic metals. Power Metallic Mines (WKN: A40S32 | ISIN: CA73929R1055 | Ticker symbol: PNPN) controls large deposits in Canada and is at the center of North American self-sufficiency efforts.
+++ Québec, Canada, is one of the world’s best jurisdictions for sustainable mining
+++ World-class discoveries of copper, nickel, platinum, palladium, gold, silver, and cobalt
+++ Adjacent to a nearby highway with direct access to green, CO2-neutral electricity
+++ 100,000-meter fully funded drill program ensures abundant news flow in the coming months
+++ Demand boom for strategic metals continues unabated
+++ Significantly undervalued with a market capitalization of just under CAD 240 million
+++ Analysts see up to 200% upside from the current price of CAD 1.03
The excellent drill results show similarities to some of the largest discoveries made to date and highlight the potential scale of the deposits. Combined with the best legislation for raw materials, the setup offers the potential for explosive growth.
Data has become the new crude oil of today's markets. In times of inflation, geopolitical instability, and fragile supply chains, access to reliable information is gaining strategic importance. With the launch of the AI-based Mining IQ platform and its partnership with Rio Tinto, Aspermont is transforming in 2025 from a media company into a global data intelligence specialist for the commodities industry. The platform combines centuries of industry knowledge with state-of-the-art AI. Risks, ESG performance, and project developments can now be assessed in real time. What was once considered almost witchcraft is now the new standard for data-driven decision-making. Supported by the digitization of 200 years of mining archives and a strong institutional capital base, a scalable, subscription-based business model with global appeal is emerging. Aspermont is making the leap from information broker to architect of a networked, intelligent resource economy. A quantum leap from traditional media provider to digital industry architect.
E-mobility, drones, robotics, and artificial intelligence are megatrends. Billions in capital are flowing into these industries. One area is currently in the spotlight: energy storage! It ensures the stable operation of millions of applications, machines, and devices. Industry 4.0 is entering its next phase with an immense appetite for energy. Without high-capacity batteries, neither robots nor drones nor electric vehicles can function. For now, the global battery market remains firmly in Chinese hands, but Western industrialized nations are determined to reduce this critical dependency. The next generation of batteries offers a historic opportunity to correct this strategic mistake. At the forefront of this shift is NEO Battery Materials (ISIN: CA62908A1003|TSX-V: NMB|FRA: 1BC|WKN: A2QQBV). The Canadian company is developing cost-efficient, silicon-enhanced batteries that can store more energy and charge faster. A revolution is in the making!
The rally in the gold price recently peaked at USD 4,350 and then came to a halt for the time being. However, the current technical setback to around USD 4,000 does not change the strong medium-term prospects or the fact that gold mines worldwide are operating at production costs of between USD 1,150 and USD 1,650 per ounce. Gross margins have therefore never been higher. This provides a great incentive to reactivate historic properties or even to accelerate the development of new mines. Tight inventories on the futures markets are currently unsettling the precious metals sector, with the shortage of physical silver recently coming to a dramatic head. This environment is an Eldorado for speculators, but also for investors looking to find the right entry point now, as investment banks are forecasting gold prices of up to USD 6,000. Formation Metals Inc. (CSE: FOMO; FSE: VF1; OTCQB: FOMTF) is well-positioned with its properties in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt in Québec. In the heart of this historic mining region, well-known players such as Agnico Eagle Mines (LaRonde and Val-d'Or regions) and Osisko Mining (in the Malartic area) are mining. The resulting peer effect suddenly turns well-financed explorers like Formation Metals into liquid market participants with comparable visibility. With excellent infrastructure, historical mine production, and technologically highly skilled personnel, every new drill section offers a significant catalyst opportunity.
Humankind's battle against serious diseases spans centuries. Medicine and alternative healing methods have achieved numerous successes, and technological development and innovation are continuing at an accelerated pace. Large pharmaceutical companies leverage their abundant cash flows to develop new drugs, yet not all areas are effectively addressed. In contrast, smaller biotech companies are creative and inventive. They dare to explore new approaches. When they succeed, investors can see multiples of their invested capital returned, making the sector particularly compelling. The Canadian biotech company BioNxt Solutions (TSX-V: BNXT; WKN: A3D1K3; ISIN: CA0909741062) develops state-of-the-art drug delivery systems for autoimmune and neurological diseases and addresses markets of global relevance. The latest developments are now putting BioNxt squarely in the spotlight.
Amid global efforts to transition to renewable energy, nuclear power is experiencing an unexpected renaissance. Alongside traditional pillars such as solar and wind power, it is increasingly coming to the fore as a key technology. While Europe still hesitates, North America, China, and India are pushing ahead with expansion. Around 440 plants currently supply electricity worldwide, and over 80 new projects are in the concrete planning stage. President Donald Trump has indicated that strengthening national nuclear capacities is a priority for him, with numerous new approvals intended to consolidate US energy independence. Companies that build bridges between nuclear and hydrogen technology are benefiting particularly from this development. The Canadian company First Hydrogen (EUR 0.28 | WKN: A3C40W | ISIN: CA32057N1042) is working on compact, modular reactors – known as SMRs – that could make local hydrogen production clean, safe, and economical. This creates a connection that could significantly change the energy system of the future. First Hydrogen is at the forefront!
Securing supply chains for critical metals is at the heart of global strategies. Greenland, once a scientific backwater, is now at the center of geopolitical interests with its deposits of rare earths, nickel, cobalt, and graphite. These metals are indispensable for batteries, electronics, and defense technologies. While the EU is strengthening its autonomy with the Raw Materials Act passed in 2023 and new partnerships, the US government under President Trump is focusing on protectionist control and direct access to resources. The announcements from the White House sound rather aggressive in this regard. Market participants should assume that, in case of doubt, the US will make a clean sweep – even in the most remote locations that allow access. European Lithium (WKN: A2AR9A | ISIN: AU000000EUR7 | Ticker: PF8 | ASX: EUR) is positioning itself in this environment with two key deposits: rare earths in Greenland and lithium in Europe, including Ukraine. The Company thus connects two geostrategic hotspots and is considered a potential winner in the new race for raw materials.
Drone technology has undergone breathtaking development in recent years. What once began as a futuristic toy has now become a central component of modern industrial and security concepts. Simple flying objects with cameras have evolved into sophisticated, AI-powered systems capable of collecting and evaluating data in real time and making targeted decisions. Drones have long been connected to analysis platforms and cloud networks and perform surveillance, logistics, and defense functions. In recent years, this was only possible with manned units. In times of geopolitical tension, they are increasingly replacing traditional forces thanks to their cost efficiency, flexibility, and continuous learning through artificial intelligence. The existing momentum across the entire sector is accelerating innovation worldwide and is also shaping commercial applications in surveillance, infrastructure, and rescue logistics. Volatus Aerospace (TSX-V: FLT; WKN: A2JEQU; ISIN: CA92865M1023) is one of the companies that recognized this technological upheaval early on and implemented it consistently. Now, the phase of exponential growth is beginning for investors!
Information is the oxygen that keeps the capital markets alive. In an era with rising inflation, geopolitical uncertainties, and disrupted supply chains, international networking is more crucial than ever. With the launch of the Mining-IQ data platform and the strategic partnership with Rio Tinto, Aspermont is undergoing a profound transformation in 2025 to become a global data intelligence specialist for the raw materials industry. The Company now aggregates all mining data worldwide in an AI-powered platform that analyzes risks, ESG performance, and project developments, setting new standards for data-driven decision-making in the sector. With the digitization of two centuries of industry archives for Rio Tinto and the recent capital increase from institutional investors, Aspermont is optimally positioned financially and technologically for international growth and innovation. The new direction creates scalable, subscription-based revenue models. It gives decision-makers a head start in market and investment decisions - a quantum leap from traditional media provider to digital industry architect.
BioNxt Solutions (TSX-V: BNXT; WKN: A3D1K3; ISIN: CA0909741062) is on the verge of a significant breakthrough: achieving market readiness. The Company develops state-of-the-art drug delivery systems for autoimmune and neurological diseases, addressing markets of global relevance. Particularly in focus is multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic, inflammatory disease of the central nervous system in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own nerve fibers. Depending on the patient, this can lead to muscle weakness, coordination problems, and even memory issues—a serious medical challenge that urgently calls for innovation. The pharmaceutical and biotech industries are therefore working intensively on improved therapies. BioNxt has developed a patented sublingual oral film technology that not only enhances the effectiveness of drugs but also significantly improves patient convenience. The global tailwind could hardly be more favorable: the market for MS therapies already reached a volume of around USD 21.1 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to nearly USD 39 billion by 2032, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9%. The stock has gained a whopping 80% over the past 6 months, but this could just be the beginning!
Tariff barriers, export bans, and supply restrictions on critical metals are no longer the exception; for many investors, they have become a daily topic of conversation. Western industries are increasingly under pressure, as order volumes are rising rapidly, particularly in strategic areas such as high-tech components and defense technology. In the NATO environment alone, order volumes have increased fivefold within just a few weeks compared to 2024, and there is little sign of this trend coming to an end. Today, company leaders need to know exactly where they can source skilled workers, raw materials, and, above all, hard-to-obtain metals, while also ensuring that their sales markets are not blocked by sanctions. The situation is particularly critical for international tech manufacturing, which is heavily dependent on imported specialty metals in parts of Asia. Any new trade barrier can disrupt supply chains within days. Against this backdrop, Almonty Industries (WKN: A414Q8 | ISIN: CA0203987072 | Ticker symbol (FRA/USA): ALI/ALM) has positioned itself with remarkable foresight.
Following recent acquisitions, Canadian explorer Desert Gold has reached the next milestone in its SMSZ project in Mali. With a fresh Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA), the Company is now set to begin the construction of a small processing plant. With production of approximately 5,500 ounces per year, annual gross cash flows in excess of USD 5 million are expected from 2026. At the same time, the Company has recently expanded its portfolio significantly with an option in West Africa. With the Tiegba project, Desert Gold is now also active in Côte d'Ivoire, alongside major mining companies such as Barrick, Allied, Endeavour, and B2Gold. The vision is clear: to extract easily accessible ounces at low cost and use the generated surplus for exploration of the high-grade properties in Côte d'Ivoire. The key point: Less than 10 % of the 440 square kilometers of SMSZ land area was actually evaluated in the study. The setup should excite investors and make the current valuation history!
At a time when gold prices are hitting record highs and political uncertainty dominates the global markets, Globex Mining is attracting attention as a broadly diversified resource owner. Founded in 1949 and led by CEO Jack Stoch, the Canadian company is focused on the acquisition, development, and strategic leasing of resource-rich properties, primarily in Canada and the US. With currently 258 concessions and a broad diversification across gold, silver, base metals, and specialty metal projects, Globex is benefiting not only from the current precious metals boom, but also from political developments such as resource scarcity and trade tariffs. The Canadian commodity asset manager is committed to continuous growth and is very successful in this regard, with Globex shares (ticker: GMX) delivering a respectable return of 31% over the past 12 months. The current year 2025 is likely to hold a few surprises in store.
Wars, inflation, and ever-increasing public debt are strong arguments for investing in precious metals. Gold, in particular, has demonstrated its ability to preserve value in recent months. While currencies like the US dollar continue to depreciate, the gold price has increased over 30% since the start of the year. By comparison, the highly acclaimed Nasdaq-100 index has lost around 5% since January. Canadian explorer Desert Gold has now significantly expanded its portfolio with an option in West Africa. With the Tiegba Project, the Company is now present in Ivory Coast, alongside major mining companies such as Barrick, Allied, Endeavour, and B2Gold. Analysts now need to do their sums carefully, as a feasibility study for mine development in Mali is in progress. In addition to the 1 million ounces of gold already identified, there are now another 297 square kilometers of unexplored territory added. And all this for just EUR 12.5 million. This dramatic undervaluation is unlikely to last much longer!
In the climate transition, researchers are not only looking at alternative energies such as solar, wind, and water but also increasingly back toward nuclear power. While the EU is only cautiously expanding its nuclear capacity, the outlook in North America, China, and India is far more aggressive. A total of 440 reactors are online worldwide, 113 of them in North America alone, and approximately 80 new plants are in the planning stage. US President Donald Trump makes no secret of his love for nuclear energy. For the current legislative term, he has announced a wave of new approvals aimed at significantly strengthening America's nuclear base. In light of the energy transition, resourceful companies are setting out to combine the advantages of nuclear power with the benefits of hydrogen. Canadian technology company First Hydrogen (EUR 0.51 | WKN: A3C40W | ISIN: CA32057N1042) aims to launch small modular reactors known as SMRs. One of the key goals is local green hydrogen production. A potential game-changer is on the horizon!
The drone market is growing exponentially. When the first tech-savvy kids started flying their new, noisy aircraft over their neighbors' gardens a good 10 years ago, no one imagined the enormous potential for civilian and military applications. However, the rudimentary propeller-driven machines quickly evolved into high-precision aircraft with optical capabilities in the Ultra HD range. Today, they are connected to a complete data analysis center via a ground station, and image and AI-controlled pattern recognition make these agile aircraft perfect surveillance applications. In an age of geopolitical conflicts, overarching security requirements, and empty budgets, they now offer a reliable substitute for mobile emergency services day and night. Artificial intelligence accelerates these processes, and this is where the big game changer lies for many service providers. Volatus Aerospace (TSX-V: FLT; WKN: A2JEQU; ISIN: CA92865M1023) has worked hard to build up its business in recent years. Now, it is time to reap the rewards.
Tariff gestures and delivery restrictions on critical metals have become the daily bread of long-suffering investors. The Western industrial world is facing enormous challenges, as the pace is increasing daily in sectors such as high-tech and defense. NATO-related orders alone have increased fivefold in recent weeks compared to 2024 – and there is no end in sight. Today's industry managers need to have a clear understanding of where they can source manpower, raw materials, and especially critical metals - and which non-sanctioned markets they can then supply. The pressure is mounting as availability declines and verbal threats escalate on both sides of the Atlantic. Almonty Industries (WKN: A1JSSD | ISIN: CA0203981034 | Ticker symbol: ALI) has positioned itself uniquely, demonstrating remarkable foresight. The tungsten producer already operates mines in Spain and Portugal, and a major deposit in South Korea will be added within a few months. In addition, the Company is planning a US expansion and a Nasdaq listing to signal that the time for a revaluation has come. The research firm GBC has responded to the current scenarios and adjusted its price target upward. Here is a summary of the current facts.
The Middle East conflict is exposing structural global vulnerabilities. Rising diesel prices, fragile supply chains, and growing international pressure to decarbonize are fundamentally reshaping the rules of the game in transportation, mining, and heavy industry. While governments continue to announce multi-billion-dollar energy transition programs, companies are increasingly seeking solutions that do not take a decade to implement, but instead deliver immediate fuel savings and emissions reductions. After years of technological development, hydrogen technology company dynaCERT (CAD 0.15 | TSX-V: DYA | WKN: A1KBAV | ISIN: CA26780A1084) is now moving into the spotlight of international investors with an expanding sales offensive. With its HydraGEN™ technology, the Canadian company enables the retrofit of existing diesel engines—addressing one of the most pressing industrial themes of our time. Encouraging developments are emerging from the energy-dependent growth market of Vietnam. Initial pilot projects are already underway in logistics centers there, while partnerships with industry and universities are paving the way for broader expansion across Southeast Asia. For investors, the timing may be becoming increasingly interesting. In the foreseeable future, the combination of fuel savings, emissions reductions, and tradable carbon credits could transform dynaCERT from a traditional cleantech provider into a scalable beneficiary of the global transition economy. With rising revenues and improving market visibility, the share price is currently trading near an important breakout zone. From a technical perspective, momentum also appears to be improving.
The daily escalation of the US trade dispute with almost all economic zones worldwide is not going unnoticed, especially in China. For reasons of national pride, Chinese Premier Xi Jinping is demanding more respect for his country. Not only have punitive tariffs been met with counter-punitive tariffs, but China has now also drastically restricted exports of critical metals and rare earths. This is a nightmare scenario for Western industrialized nations, as export controls exacerbate global commodity insecurity. For the high-tech industry, this means significantly higher prices, pressure to innovate, and increased geopolitical risk. At the same time, the current crisis is accelerating the establishment of new supply chains, the necessary technological restructuring, and the relocation of strategic manufacturing worldwide. Almonty Industries Inc. (WKN: A1JSSD | ISIN: CA0203981034 | Ticker symbol: ALI) has been working for several years on another mine start-up in South Korea, which is now imminent. And customers are lining up when it comes to output. Because right now, the rarer it is, the more expensive it is. The stock is becoming a blockbuster on the German and Canadian stock exchanges, with a gain of over 150% in just six months. The rally is likely to continue!
Despite all advancements, scientists are still largely in the dark when it comes to many diseases - in particular, neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, or multiple sclerosis. However, new forms of therapy offer methodologies to treat the affected patients more efficiently. Technologies that can deliver active ingredients directly to the brain and release them effectively there could mean a breakthrough for diseases that are still too difficult to treat today. There is demand for methods that enable targeted, more effective, and safer delivery of drugs to the central nervous system (CNS) – i.e. the brain and spinal cord. The market in this area is highly innovation-driven, experiencing strong growth, and has recently been massively accelerated by the use of artificial intelligence. The Canadian biotech specialist BioNxt Solutions (TSX-V: BNXT; WKN: A3D1K3; ISIN: CA0909741062) is an innovative life sciences company specializing in next-generation drug delivery technologies. Its research is well advanced – the next leap in growth is now within reach!
The world is in turmoil. Geopolitical conflicts, displacement and migration, and economic and political upheavals are the order of the day. With the new US President Donald Trump, transatlantic partnerships are changing, and even long-standing institutions like NATO are no longer a reliable parameter. The capital markets have to cope with the new uncertainties. This means high volatility for stocks and other assets. Investors are looking for safe havens - traditionally, gold and silver at least offer long-term value compensation for losses in purchasing power. Regions with a centuries-old tradition in precious metals are once again coming into focus, offering a potential anchor of stability in uncertain times. The Canadian resource explorer TOCVAN VENTURES (CSE: TOC; FRA: TV3; WKN: A2PE64; ISIN: CA88900N1050) is currently making a name for itself as the Company enters the home stretch in 2025.
Bernd Krüper, the new president and director since summer 2024, is looking hopefully toward the upcoming bauma trade fair in Munich. Energy efficiency and the climate transition are at the forefront of the public eye. Companies with high energy usage are actively seeking ESG-compliant solutions. Since 2004, the Canadian company dynaCERT has focused on the development of hydrogen-based diesel auxiliary devices. These optimize combustion processes, making them cleaner and reducing fuel consumption. In 2024, the Company received certification from the world-renowned VERRA Institute for its technological solutions. With a positive result, the sales rollout is accelerating because the underlying ESG topic and the acquisition of emission certificates are important control components, especially for companies in the public spotlight. The analyst firm GBC Research has done the math and voted "Buy" - the price is taking off. It is a perfect setup for a multiplier in the portfolio.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) plays a central role in the atmosphere and has both natural and man-made impacts. It is a significant factor in air quality, climate change, and ecological balance, particularly in large cities. Governments worldwide meet once a year to advance climate transformation, but local implementation often fails due to a lack of finances and the necessary innovations. A few years back, a tradable price for "pollution rights" was created through climate certificates. The price for one ton of CO2 reduction is currently just under EUR 70, but it varies significantly from region to region. In 2023, the International Energy Agency (IEA) published an updated Net-Zero Roadmap that outlines a detailed global pathway to achieve the 1.5°C target by 2050. This plan takes into account developments since 2021 and emphasizes the need for accelerated action in various sectors. The Canadian company dynaCERT has technologies for reducing CO2 emissions and understands what is at stake in this billion-dollar market. With a patented and certified technology, significant emission reductions can be achieved in combustion processes. The internationally recognized institute VERRA laid the foundation for the sought-after emission certificates. The attractiveness of a quick implementation is now in place and could mean a multiplication of revenues for dynaCERT. The starting signal is now!
The price of gold continues to rise sharply in 2025. In February, at USD 2,950, the yellow metal reached its highest level ever. Gold outperformed most stock indices worldwide and even came close to keeping up with the NASDAQ 100. The high inflation rate and the persistent borrowing by governments to finance their overburdened budgets speak in favor of investments in precious metals. Since 2022, high defense and security spending has also been added. Geopolitical uncertainties and crisis zones will remain with investors in 2025. So far, this has not deterred anyone from investing in securities. What could change, however, is the focus on value versus growth expectations in the area of high-tech and artificial intelligence. The Canadian resource asset manager and explorer Jack Stoch focuses on continuous growth and is very successful with this approach, as the Globex share (ticker symbol: GMX) also delivered a 76% increase, effectively doubling gold returns for shareholders. The current year, 2025, promises to be an exciting one.
The modern era has dawned! At breakneck speed, artificial intelligence models are penetrating all sectors of the economy. Business models that worked yesterday are disappearing from the market or being replaced by new ones. Data analysis now happens at lightning speed, with knowledge built over hundreds of years. The pharmaceutical industry is increasingly using artificial intelligence to make clinical trials more efficient and precise. AI is particularly effective in analyzing large amounts of medical data, recognizing patterns, and optimizing decision-making processes. The improvements in evaluation and interpretation are revolutionary. The Canadian technology company NetraMark Holdings Inc. (WKN: A3D5X9 | ISIN: CA64119M1059 | Ticker symbol: AIAI) is developing solutions for the pharmaceutical industry to use Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI). The results so far indicate a quantum leap. Meanwhile, NetraMark's market value is still in its infancy. Time is of the essence!
The geopolitical climate is becoming increasingly frosty. What is a huge challenge for international politics in terms of safeguarding mutual interests is no less dangerous for industry. This is because power blocs are emerging that are increasingly turning away from the West and pursuing strict self-interests. In particular, it must be assumed that the Russia-China axis will remain strained in its relations with the USA under Donald Trump and its allies and that this will have an impact on other areas. It is not without reason that governments have put important metals on the strategic procurement list. Tungsten is the metal used for ultra-hard and heat-resistant surfaces and is part of a complex discussion about scarcity because 85% of the metal is mined in China. This marks a turning point for tungsten producers targeting the Western market. Almonty Industries Inc. (WKN: A1JSSD | ISIN: CA0203981034 | Ticker symbol: ALI) has been working for several years on the launch of a new mine in South Korea, which is now imminent. And the demand is high - customers are lining up for the output. Because currently, the rarer it is, the more expensive it gets. The stock price has already surged 100% in just two weeks – so a quick takeover could be on the cards. Now is the time to act!
The gold price rose by almost 30% in 2024. It thus outperformed most stock indices worldwide and was even able to keep pace with the NASDAQ 100. Both high inflation and the constant borrowing by governments to finance their overburdened budgets speak in favor of investments in precious metals. Since 2022, high defense and security spending has been added to this. Geopolitical uncertainties and flashpoints will remain with investors in 2025. So far, this has not deterred anyone from investing in securities of any kind. What could change, however, would be the focus on value versus insane growth expectations in the area of high-tech and artificial intelligence. Canadian resource asset manager and explorer Jack Stoch focuses on continuous growth and is very successful, as the Globex share (ticker symbol: GMX) also delivered 30% added value to shareholders' portfolios. The current year, 2025, is likely to be even more golden.
The EU has formulated ambitious goals and strategies to secure its supply of strategic raw materials and build sustainable supply chains. These goals are based primarily on the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), which was introduced in 2023. The US is also pursuing similar goals to secure access to critical raw materials that are crucial for energy system transformation, technology production, and national security. On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump's second presidency in the US begins. The Republican is known for his "America First" approach. He wants to strengthen domestic industry, secure jobs, and challenge foreign competitors. For his plans, he needs resources - and he is eyeing Greenland. The Australian company European Lithium (WKN: A2AR9A | ISIN: AU000000EUR7 | Ticker symbol: PF8 | ASX: EUR) has secured a key role in the global raw materials landscape with its rare earth project in Greenland and lithium deposits in Ukraine. The Company's properties and current focus combine to form a unique treasure for a forward-looking portfolio. There is already a "Buy" recommendation from the research house First Berlin, which indicates a potential of over 500%. We offer a deeper insight.
Donald Trump's victory has put the focus back on fossil fuels. The Republican is well known for his lack of enthusiasm for "climate change" and even for Greentech. At the same time, he wants to strengthen the industrial potential of the United States once again and reduce energy prices by 50%. This political course should support companies focusing on a cost-effective energy supply for North America. Canadian oil and gas producer Saturn Oil is sprinting from production record to production record, as it did in the last quarter. Incidentally, Canada is one of the countries that will close the German gas gap with future LNG deliveries since Russia's withdrawal. Saturn Oil has reached a company enterprise value of CAD 1.2 billion in recent months and is now playing in a different league.
Climate transformation depends on many factors. On the one hand, countries worldwide must agree on a common approach, and on the other hand, guidelines and standards are needed within which people and the economy can operate. A few years back, a tradable price for "pollution rights" was created through climate certificates. The price for avoiding one ton of CO2 is around EUR 65, but it differs from region to region. In the current situation, the price is expected to rise explosively as the days approach when governments have finalized their "Net Zero" strategies. Those who do not make it within the required time frame must purchase on the market accordingly. The Canadian company dynaCERT has technologies for reducing CO2 emissions and knows what is at stake in this billion-dollar market. As part of the internationally increasingly important hydrogen economy, dynaCERT achieves significant emission reductions with a patented technology in combustion processes. With the recent certification by the international institute VERRA, customers will now receive tradable emission certificates. The attractiveness of a rapid implementation is now in place, which could mean a multiplication of revenues for dynaCERT. The race starts now!
With the current market turbulence, gold is once again a sought-after asset. Despite all the stock market volatility, long-term investors have been able to achieve stable returns of 8.5% per annum with the yellow metal since the 1990s. Precious metals are rarely an object of speculation but rather serve to maintain purchasing power in times of central bank-fueled inflation. West Africa has emerged as a major player in global gold production in recent years. Several countries in the region are among the world's largest gold producers, and the mining costs are unrivalled compared to other locations. Mali is currently Africa's third-largest gold producer and supplies over 50 tons of the yellow metal every year. The Canadian gold explorer Desert Gold sits like a spider in the web of the Senegal Mali Shear Zone (SMSZ) and is surrounded by major gold producers such as Barrick, Allied, Endeavour and B2 Gold. In the current year, 30,000 meters are being drilled and a feasibility study for mine construction is in progress. A good 1 million ounces of gold have been identified so far. The major mining companies around are already taking notice.
While green politicians outwardly condemn fossil fuels, new gas-fired power plants are being commissioned via the Habeck Ministry of Economics. Of course, these should also be able to burn hydrogen in the future, but it is not explained where the masses of green hydrogen are to come from, especially in power-scarce Germany. Investors should, therefore, focus on the essentials. The Canadian oil and gas producer Saturn Oil is sprinting from one production record to the next, as it did in the last quarter. Incidentally, Canada is one of the countries that will close the German gas gap with future LNG supplies since Russia's withdrawal, at a multiple of the price that would be charged for an overland supply, of course. The Saturn Oil share celebrated the good quarterly figures yesterday with a whopping 5% gain. The growth story continues unabated.
Unrest in the Chinese and Japanese banking sectors and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties are keeping precious metal prices high. Europe just voted, but the results have not brought more stability. Quite the opposite: the world is divided, and then there is the upcoming election in the US. In the televised duel between candidates Trump and Biden, the fact-denier clearly wins over the distracted one. What should voters do now? Choosing a suitable candidate doesn't exactly jump out at the voter. Will there soon be a reversal of globalization and a return to isolationism? Will Ukraine withstand the Russian attack? Questions upon questions upon questions. Those looking to add some security to their portfolio should take a look at the 249 properties of Globex Mining. Here lies security and plenty of returns.
Canadian polymetallic expert Power Nickel is going from strength to strength. In the past few days, a new 8,000 m drilling program has been announced, and now a major player has joined in: Rob McEwen. He is best known as the founder of Goldcorp Inc., and under his leadership, the Company became one of the largest gold producers in the world. With his company, McEwen Mining, he was involved in several major projects, including the El Gallo Mine in Mexico and the San José Mine in Argentina. Now, he is involved with Power Nickel - and not without good reason. The top property, "Nisk" in mining-friendly Quebec, offers huge polymetallic deposits and still has plenty of potential for surprises.
Cardiovascular diseases have become one of the leading causes of death worldwide. With over 20 million deaths in 2021, they represent a severe global health emergency. What is particularly alarming is that up to 80% of heart attacks and strokes would be preventable if appropriate diagnosis, prevention, and treatment options were available across the board. This is where the Canadian company Cardiol Therapeutics comes in. The life sciences company focuses on the development of innovative therapies for the treatment of heart disease. The latest study results are now available and they are impressive. With a promising drug called CardiolRx™, which has already received FDA Orphan Drug Designation approval for the treatment of pericarditis, the Company is positioning itself in a market with huge sales potential. Analysts see a promising investment opportunity and expect a positive share price trend for the Company. One thing is already convincing: the results from the Phase II study, designed according to the highest medical standards and evidence-based science, are laying the foundation for future commercialization.
The e-commerce giant Amazon has been focusing on sustainability in its vehicles for years. It is pursuing a clear plan to reduce its environmental footprint and optimize its logistics processes by developing and implementing new technologies. Together with Global Optimism, the "Climate Pledge" was founded in 2019 with the aim of being climate-neutral in all business areas by 2040. The Seattle-based company is also focusing on hydrogen fuel cell technology as part of its comprehensive strategy to reduce CO2 emissions. Successful test drives have now been completed with the developer of light commercial vehicles for the logistics sector, First Hydrogen, representing a milestone for the innovative company.
+++ World-class discovery of nickel, copper, cobalt, gold, silver, lead, platinum and palladium
+++ Adjacent to a nearby to highway with direct access to green carbon neutral power
+++ Quebec, Canada, is one of the top jurisdictions for sustainable mining in the world
+++ Secured Dr. Steve Beresford, the top, internationally recognized geoscientist and polymetallic specialist as a special advisor
Miracle drill results could represent an opportune solution to the critical metals shortage. In a world of great geopolitical instability, industrial producers are seeking a secure supply of strategic metals. Power Nickel (ISIN: CA7393011092 | TSXV: PNPN) has large deposits of strategic metals in Canada. Having foundational similarities to the largest discoveries to date, the astonishing core results are uncovering just how large these deposits could be. Combine that with the best jurisdiction for raw materials and explosive growth is possible. The recent share price performance provides an early foretaste. Let's dive deeper!
The world is in turmoil. Numerous geopolitical conflicts, such as between China and Taiwan, as well as unrest in Argentina and the Kashmir region, are aggravating the political worldview almost daily. Added to this are the ongoing armed conflicts in Ukraine and between Israel and the Middle East. An escalation in which the US and NATO could also be involved can no longer be ruled out. Investors' need for security is, therefore, constantly increasing. If the central banks do little to combat inflation, the hope of interest rate cuts will likely remain unfulfilled for some time to come. This brings precious metals to the fore. Their prices have risen sharply in the last 6 months. Globex Mining's extensive commodity portfolio is facing a significant revaluation in this mixed situation.
Despite all political efforts to make energy supply entirely renewable, it must be recognized that this goal will only be feasible in certain zones of the planet. In the northern hemisphere, there are many hydroelectric power plants, and solar and wind power are already being integrated into the global energy transition. However, in countries such as China, India and Brazil, demand is so great that it can only be met with fossil fuels. Producers of fossil resources exist around the globe, with the largest deposits currently found in Saudi Arabia, Russia, Africa and North and South America. Canada holds reserves for the next 250 years. Saturn Oil & Gas has set itself the task of building a medium-sized producer there. With the acquisition of further oil and gas assets in Saskatchewan, production capacity will increase to 38,000 to 40,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day - another transformative development.
Logistics companies around the world are in a tight spot. On the one hand, they have to meet the climate targets set by governments, while on the other, e-commerce continues to drive growth in the delivery market. Stellar Market Research has calculated that this sector will likely grow from USD 486.47 billion in 2023 to USD 648.84 billion by the end of the decade. The consequences are clearly defined. The industry needs more delivery vehicles on the roads, which will drive emissions even higher. Hydrogen innovator First Hydrogen offers the solution with its hydrogen fuel cell-powered light commercial vehicles. After successfully completing the first test runs with renowned fleet operators in the UK, multinational logistics companies are now throwing their hats into the ring.
Information is the necessary oxygen for the capital markets. Given rising inflation rates, geopolitical uncertainties and disrupted supply chains, international networking is more important than ever. The world is in a phase of deglobalization, in which dependence on distant suppliers reveals the vulnerability of industrial business models. Anyone purchasing large quantities of raw materials and supplies today is looking for reliable partners and secure transportation routes. The Australian company Aspermont can look back on a 560-year history and has been actively building its network of decision-makers for several years. The Company collects important industry information from the industrial and raw materials sectors. The business approach is now proving to be a blockbuster in a changing world. With the publication of the 2023 figures, Aspermont highlights important fundamental changes for the future. The change has begun, and it is happening fast!
The gold price is in a good mood again. After forming a top between USD 1,600 and USD 2,100 for almost four years, it managed to break above the old high in March. The new all-time high now stands at USD 2,195. It is no wonder that this new level needs to be solidified first. Last week, the precious metal consolidated slightly to USD 2,150. In the medium term, this is not a disaster, as investors have now rediscovered the asset class. Initially, the producers of gold and silver have already risen by 10 to 15% from their lows. A special story is unfolding in Mali, West Africa. Here, Desert Gold is progressing step by step and attracting a lot of attention. The price of the favourable share has already doubled. So, the train has left the station, and the potential for a takeover is a multiple of the current valuation.
Fossil fuels have been in high demand again in recent months. On the one hand, global conflicts and the operation of weapons technology are not devouring solar power, and on the other, the German government has cut short its own e-mobility strategy by ending the environmental bonus. The desire for momentum in this area now gives way to harsh reality. Sales of e-cars are falling so sharply that German premium manufacturers are once again considering new combustion models. All of these trends play into the hands of the Canadian commodities company Saturn Oil & Gas. For several years now, the Company has recognised the increased demand for oil and gas and is consistently expanding its production capacities. Figures have now been released for 2023 that represent a quantum leap for the still-young company.
Pharmaceutical giants have billions to spare. Their preferred acquisition targets focus on antibody-drug conjugates and the fight against cancer - an area in which Defence Therapeutics has been active for years. Previously unpublished studies now reveal entirely new potential for AccuTOX®, a chemotherapy drug on the verge of being approved by the FDA. As the share is extremely interesting from a technical perspective, investors should pay close attention.
Amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, gold is increasingly emerging as a safe-haven currency. While global gold mine production has risen by 26% since 2010, it has increased by almost 60% in Africa and more than doubled in at least 10 African countries. Africa has traditionally been a major producer of raw materials, deriving its economic growth from the establishment of mining operations. In Ghana, for example, currently Africa's largest gold producer, gold accounts for around a quarter of the value of total annual exports. If gold mining is carried out responsibly, it can act as a catalyst for significant positive change. Canadian explorer Desert Gold has been active in Mali since 2015 and is now entering the most exciting phase in the Company's history.
In the international concert of the energy transition, it is up to resource-rich countries to continue supplying their abundant reserves to the market. Europe is naturally not very well endowed with significant oil or gas reserves, so the focus is more on renewable energy sources. However, anyone who needs fossil fuels is bound to turn to external suppliers for their energy requirements. Industrial sectors that traditionally cannot do without oil or gas due to established manufacturing processes are particularly affected. At the onset of the Ukraine crisis, the German government turned to the raw materials giant Canada and negotiated extensive supplies of LNG gas and strategic metals. The Canadian raw materials company Saturn Oil & Gas has recognized this demand and is consistently expanding its production capacities. The crucial factor in this context is the conviction that fossil energy will still be needed for many decades. Saturn Oil & Gas is, therefore, ideally positioned today.
The geopolitical climate is becoming increasingly frosty. The Ukraine crisis, which has already lasted almost two years, was joined by the Hamas terrorist attack against Israel in October 2023. What poses a huge challenge for international politics in terms of safeguarding mutual interests is no less dangerous for industry. Power blocs are forming, increasingly distancing themselves from the West and pursuing strict self-interests. In the Russia-China axis, in particular, it must be assumed that the climate towards the US and its allies will remain frosty and spill over into other areas. It is no coincidence that governments have placed important metals on the strategic procurement list. Tungsten is the metal for ultra-hard and heat-resistant surfaces and is part of a challenging scarcity debate, as 85% of the metal is mined in China.
From a business perspective, 2023 could not have gone better for the hydrogen specialist based in Vancouver and London. In addition to successfully completing the first series of tests of its hydrogen fuel cell-powered light commercial vehicles under real road conditions, in which ranges of over 630 km were achieved on a single tank of fuel, First Hydrogen continues to build coverage of the entire hydrogen value chain. Regardless of this, the Canadian company's share price also suffered in the course of the general market correction in the sector. Due to the high potential and positive future prospects, the current share price should offer a long-term entry opportunity.
Rare earth metals are becoming increasingly important in today's world. In addition to their use in renewable energies to achieve climate targets, demand from the defence industry has also increased since the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict, aiming to ensure the military security of the West. However, the challenge with the procurement of critical metals is the fact that China controls the entire value chain from mining to production. Suitable deposits outside the Middle Kingdom are rare. One of the beacons of hope is the Wicheeda project in British Columbia, Canada, owned by Defence Metals. However, its potential has yet to be fully realized on the stock market. If one compares the market capitalization of Defense Metals with projects of much lower substance and at a much earlier stage of development, the massive discrepancy in the Company's valuation should be apparent at first glance.
There is currently plenty of fuel for gold investors. On the one hand, there is the technical breakout attempt at the beginning of December with prices around USD 2,150 - a new all-time high. On the other hand, there is the uncertainty caused by numerous geopolitical conflicts, which appear to be intensifying. Inflation, which is manifesting itself despite falling inflation, and the constant expansion of government debt are also fueling turmoil, particularly in the US dollar-dominated region. Added to this are the efforts of many BRICS countries to expand their sphere of influence to countries rich in raw materials and to distance themselves from the US dollar in the long term. These intentions are being driven by the China-Russia axis, which seems to be becoming more and more entrenched since the invasion of Ukraine. Anyone wishing to consider this potpourri of framework conditions in their investment strategy should look to Africa. Vast reserves of raw materials lie dormant there, and traditionally, the connection to Western investors is good. This is because they create jobs and bring critical development services to the country. The Canadian explorer Desert Gold Ventures is focusing on the Senegal-Mali-Shear Zone (SMSZ). Not without reason, as the drilling completed in 2023 has already delivered industrially usable mineralization grades in gold.
Climate transformation depends on many factors. On the one hand, countries worldwide need to agree on a common approach, and on the other, they need guidelines and standards within which people and businesses can operate. A few years ago, a tradable price for "pollution rights" was created via climate certificates. This market is now experiencing explosive growth. The Canadian provider dynaCERT has technologies for reducing CO2 emissions and knows what this billion-dollar market is all about. As part of the increasingly important international hydrogen economy, dynaCERT is using a patented technology to achieve significant emission reductions in combustion processes. Soon, tradable emission certificates will be available for this. This makes environmental protection meaningful and enjoyable at the same time.
Bayer's economic future is currently on shaky ground. The shares of the Group with its three pillars, Consumer Health, Pharma, and Agriculture, fell by almost 20% this week after a late-stage drug trial in the Pharma division was halted. In addition, a considerable compensation payment of EUR 1.5 billion in connection with the US glyphosate business has put the Leverkusen-based company in an unusually precarious position. The Company lost around EUR 7.7 billion in value in one day due to the price slide, and the share price fell to EUR 33, marking a historic low for Bayer AG shares since the financial crisis in 2009. Currently, the Bayer Group is only worth around EUR 32.77 billion. What needs to happen now for a possible way out of this dilemma? Would the often talked-about split-up of the Group be a solution for the further growth of the Group?
More than CAD 100 million in free cash flow in the quarter - a new record for the Canadian oil and gas producer Saturn Oil & Gas Inc. While geopolitical conflicts rage, the Company excels in meeting expected oil production targets while developing new properties. This is no mean feat in a political environment that aims to gradually reduce dependence on fossil fuels. However, the Canadians remain undeterred because what ultimately counts in times of crisis is a consistent and reliable supply. We take a look at the past quarter.
Fighting cancer poses major challenges for today's biotechnology. Canadian company Defence Therapeutics (DTC) has been showing great innovation and breaking new ground in recent years with its ACCUM® platform technology. Efforts are directed towards therapies in the fight against globally prevalent cancers such as lung cancer, breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer. With numerous patents and a new delivery technology, the Canadians are succeeding one hopeful step at a time. The global market for cancer therapies is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.4% from 2022 to 2030. Defence Therapeutics might already have a "silver bullet" in its barrel. However, various clinical phases still need to prove the encouraging results from animal trials in humans.
Accum™ enhances mRNA vaccines. To support this claim, Defence Therapeutics conducted a comparative study and reported promising results in late September: In the study, Accum™ doubled the number of antibodies compared to an mRNA vaccine without Accum™. This is a strong indication that the flexible technology, which is expected to move into two Phase I trials as a cancer vaccine and chemotherapeutic in the coming months, may also greatly benefit mRNA vaccines in the future. We look at what matters in the coming weeks and months and why Defence Therapeutics has long been in the sights of potential buyers.
Good things come to those who wait! After obstacles and delays with regard to the launch of SMARTBROKER+, interested parties were given access to the completely newly developed trading platform and thus also to the long-awaited app for the first time at the end of August as part of an Early Access phase. The capitalists put all their energy into a state-of-the-art frontend for iOS, Android and web, as well as an excellent user journey. The unbeatable price-performance ratio, however, remains the same. SMARTBROKER+ is the only provider in Germany to combine the extensive product range of traditional brokers with the extremely favorable conditions of Neobrokers.
Already last year, the investment company Altech Advanced Materials positioned itself as a company for novel battery technology. Thanks to the investments in the project companies SILUMINA ANODES and CERENERGY, it has succeeded in gaining a foothold in the growth markets for e-mobility and stationary battery storage with novel materials and groundbreaking technologies. In this context, the further goals are clearly defined. Together with the Group's partners, the Heidelberg-based company wants to make a positive contribution to the energy transition and thus participate in the rapidly growing market for battery systems. Three milestones expected before the end of this year could push the share into higher territory.
The recent economic data from China has once again disappointed. In July, industrial production in the world's second-largest economy did not increase as much as expected; the central bank even reacted with an interest rate cut. There have been several instances of weak economic data from China recently, fueling expectations of reduced demand for crude oil. The price of WTI crude oil fell slightly from USD 82.50 to USD 80.50 within days. For the Canadian oil producer Saturn Oil & Gas, however, this is not a disaster because they were able to generate lush cash flows even in the challenging second quarter, despite the quarterly average for the WTI price declining to about USD 75. The Q2 figures were surprisingly good, with a new record cash flow and further increases in production.
The start of testing under real road conditions for the Canadian hydrogen innovator's hydrogen fuel cell-powered light commercial vehicles got off to a furious start and clearly demonstrated the advantages over both battery-electric vans and internal combustion engines. Admittedly, the "Light Commercial Vehicles" have only been tested by two of the sixteen major fleet operators participating in the British "Aggregated Hydrogen Freight Consortium". However, the impressive results already suggest that the internal target of selling between 10,000 and 20,000 units in 2025/2026 is no utopia. In the best case, the sales volume would amount to EUR 1 billion. Currently, the market value of the First Hydrogen share stands at EUR 90.84 million.
Cardiovascular diseases have been in the spotlight, especially since the Corona pandemic. After receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, athletic and often young individuals experienced heart inflammation. When the heart muscle becomes inflamed, it is referred to as myocarditis. If the inflammation affects the heart's outer lining, known as the pericardium, it is called pericarditis. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most cases of myocarditis and pericarditis in male adolescents and young adults occurred within one week of the second dose of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Cardiol Therapeutics is a life sciences company with a portfolio focused on combating heart diseases such as pericarditis, myocarditis and heart failure. The Company is in the clinical discovery and development stage of anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic therapies. Antifibrotic means that no scarring occurs during the healing process of human tissue. The experienced team is focusing on an active ingredient that occurs naturally in nature, cannabidiol.
The countdown is on! Despite many imponderables and detours, the latest generation broker, Smartbroker+, is about to be launched. As of today, users can explore the future brand world. In the process, the already successfully running Smartbroker was expanded with new functions and optimized according to the latest customer experience requirements, which should attract new, especially younger target groups in the future. On the other hand, the unique selling proposition of the Next Generation Broker will be retained. Like its predecessor, Smartbroker+ combines the extensive product range of traditional brokers with the favorable conditions of a new broker.
After a bitterly cold crypto winter last year with price losses of up to 78% for Bitcoin alone, the asset class has become one of the best performers on the market, with a gain of 90% since the beginning of 2023. Companies from this segment, such as MicroStrategy, Coinbase, Hut 8 Mining and Bit Digital, were able to more than double in this period. In contrast, the German Bitcoin Group, which operates the trading platform for digital currencies, bitcoin.de, with its subsidiary, has some catching up to do. However, the holding company has significantly more substance than comparable competitors.
Short infotainment formats are popular among viewers - for example, before the news or between two movies. The Canadian biotech startup Defence Therapeutics has now been chosen by the series "Viewpoint with Dennis Quaid" as a partner for a series on the opportunities and limitations of biotechnology. For the Company, which is aiming for the Nasdaq, the associated publicity can only be beneficial. What remains decisive, however, is what happens behind the camera. Groundbreaking research is currently underway.
More is better. According to this motto, the innovative cancer specialist Defence Therapeutics has built an extensive patent portfolio in recent years. Here we discuss the areas in which patents have been filed, what options Defence Therapeutics has as a result, and what will be crucial for the Company, which is facing several clinical trials in 2023 in the coming weeks.
The first series of tests under real road conditions went better than expected for the hydrogen innovator based in Vancouver and London, clearly demonstrating the advantages of hydrogen fuel cell-powered light commercial vehicles with a range of over 500 km compared to battery-electric vans and internal combustion engines. Following in the footsteps of fleet management provider Rivus, which is responsible for managing over 120,000 light commercial vehicles and trucks annually, utility company SSE, which currently maintains one of the largest vehicle fleets in the UK, is now entering the test series. If the results continue to confirm the positive trend, First Hydrogen faces a golden future in the billion-dollar market for climate-neutral vehicles.
In times of crisis like now, the urgency in the supply of strategic metals becomes very apparent. Currently, China is the majority owner of these elements, with 70%. With further escalations in Ukraine and global instabilities, access to key resources is essential, as long-established supply routes can be suspended overnight. Rare metals are crucial for various modern technologies, from smartphones to wind turbines and defense equipment. China could impose an export ban on key raw materials to achieve its strategic goals in Taiwan and exclude the West from supply. This is political leverage that can only be softened by consistently building alternatives. Almonty Industries has 4 major tungsten properties in Spain, Portugal and South Korea. Soon the largest mine will go into production.
Cancer specialist Defence Therapeutics has applied for international patent protection for its versatile Accum™ adjuvant technology. This means that the numerous projects the Company is driving forward in parallel thanks to its platform approach will soon receive a "price tag". Specifically, this involves vaccines against various types of cancer, ranging from skin to pancreatic cancer, some of which will soon be transferred to a Phase I study. The same applies to the promising chemotherapeutic AccuTOX™. We discuss the outlook for the CRISPR "gene scissors," which mRNA study will soon deliver results and the state of takeover activity in the industry.
The question is valid. Is it another tale from "One Thousand and One Nights" like in previous years, or will the ambitious US hydrogen company, led by CEO and marketing specialist Andy Marsh, keep its word this time? After the publication of the ambitious growth targets up to the year 2030 on the occasion of the specially organized Analyst Day, the Plug Power share shot up by more than 60% at its peak. This indicates investors still believe in the story of the fuel cell pioneer. However, the next few months will show whether it can be successfully implemented. Blind faith is likely to be clouded once again by a major capital measure.
Curing skin cancer, lymphoma, lung cancer and even pancreatic cancer - the list of promising projects Defence Therapeutics is advancing is long. But despite the wide range of services, Defence Therapeutics' projects go hand in hand. The reason lies in the Accum™ technology, whose platform approach is now protected by the US Patent Office. Below you can find out about the current status of Defence Therapeutics' projects, where the journey may take us in the coming weeks, and in which area Defence Therapeutics could spring a surprise.
Things continue to go like clockwork at hydrogen innovator First Hydrogen. The Vancouver and London-based company reported better-than-expected test results for its hydrogen fuel cell-powered light-duty vehicles under real-world road conditions. The range of 500 km was exceeded. The Company is also making rapid progress in establishing a complete value chain with the production and distribution of green hydrogen. Despite its excellent business performance, the stock of First Hydrogen has experienced a decline in line with the overall industry trend, which may present an attractive entry opportunity from a long-term perspective.
Governments worldwide agree: Achieving a real turnaround in the fight against global warming requires joint, open discussions about existing technologies and necessary innovations for a more sustainable use of existing resources. The path to a CO2-free future is costly and requires extremely high investments. Green hydrogen is an important building block. The Norwegian pioneer Nel ASA has been well on its way as a global player for several years, but the Company is not yet profitable. However, recent blockbuster orders point to a noticeable acceleration. Here is an assessment of the situation.
Varta AG was one of the high flyers in the MDAX in 2020/2021. The rally led the stock price to over EUR 180 on the expectation of a battery revolution from Ellwangen. But things turned out differently. Problems with the supply chains due to the Corona pandemic, rising raw material and energy costs and sales problems with key customers caused the Group to stumble. Today, 2 years after the joyful rush, the Varta share price has plummeted by 90% and a tough restructuring course is on the agenda. A stocktaking.
In order to achieve the set climate targets, both politicians and industry agree that green hydrogen has been considered a key element of the energy turnaround for years. The rosy outlook proclaimed for the sector by industry experts and financial analysts has created a gold-rush mood among listed companies since the beginning of the decade, and the valuations of market leaders such as Nel ASA and Plug Power have soared to astronomical heights. In contrast, the reported sales and, in some cases, equally high losses of the companies hardly justify the valuations of EUR 2.1 billion and EUR 4.95 billion, respectively, which are still ambitious despite the strong correction. With a market capitalization of only EUR 59.62 million, the Canadian hydrogen specialist dynaCERT's valuation represents only a fraction of these figures. A major order for 3,000 of its patented HydraGEN units has now put a clear exclamation mark on the Company. Further orders are likely to follow.
Despite all the announcements from Berlin, it is immediately clear to the listener that converting our energy supply from fossil fuels to CO2-free sources will first require a lot of resources to get the facilities, including infrastructure, that will be needed in the future, into place. A significant, environmentally damaging effort must first take place to install wind and solar power plants and integrate them into the grid. Canada has understood the problems of the world energy supply and is implementing the requirements of the current difficult times in a politically non-judgmental and consistent manner. Saturn Oil & Gas is an ESG-oriented energy company with strong growth in oil and gas production in Saskatchewan. There are now good drilling results to report for the first quarter.
The opportunities are gigantic, as are the forecasts of experts. The consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, for example, sees hydrogen as a key element of the energy transition and expects an increase from 76 to up to 600 Mt worldwide by 2050. Despite the rosy outlook, buoyed by huge subsidy programs from politicians, companies in the sector are undergoing a sharp consolidation phase. For example, industry leaders such as Plug Power and Nel ASA have recently lost over 40% of their stock market valuation. For a long time, newcomer First Hydrogen was able to escape the correction. After outperforming and gaining over 1,600% since August 2021, the share price halved quickly and is now trading at a prominent support zone. The fundamental data remain excellent so that a second long-term entry opportunity could arise at the current level.
Sentiment toward Germany as a business location has deteriorated significantly among major industrial companies in recent months. The sharp increase in energy and material costs, followed by high wage settlements, are putting pressure on operating margins. BASF is one of the most energy-intensive conglomerates in the country. Management is reluctantly responding with cost-cutting measures that call entire locations into question and mean a significant reduction in the number of employees. It is not only the worsening economic situation that is responsible but, above all, the anti-industry policies from Berlin and Brussels. Managers are therefore turning their attention to much cheaper foreign markets and investing many billions there. Here is an update from yesterday's Annual General Meeting.
The use of artificial intelligence is here to stay. According to industry experts, we are at the beginning of a technological revolution that, based on information and communication technology and driven by AI, will lead us to a world where all things will be connected and intelligent. The market growth is enormous and will be accelerated by future key technologies such as 5G, cloud, video, the Internet of Things and autonomous driving. C3.ai is a leading provider of AI software for enterprises to accelerate digital transformation. Despite the outstanding growth opportunities, the still loss-making US company, valued at USD 1.98 billion, is facing headwinds from several sides.
The Canadian-German biotech company BioNxt has won an international pharmaceutical company as a customer and concluded a development and manufacturing contract. An orally soluble product based on BioNxt's platform will be developed and manufactured at the site of its German subsidiary Vektor Pharma TF GmbH in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. According to a company release, the contract has been signed and partially paid. About a week ago, BioNxt reported the purchase of a coating and cutting machine to expand commercial manufacturing capacity. Now, things could also move very quickly with another product from BioNxt.
Due to the war in Ukraine and the end of the loose monetary policy by the central banks, the stock exchanges took a dive, especially in the first nine months of last year. The leading German index DAX lost around 28% from the beginning of the Russian invasion until the beginning of October. The uncertainties also caused the trading figures of online brokers to plummet. However, a strong recovery began in the 4th quarter of 2022. Since then, the DAX has posted a performance of almost 36%. While the war in Eastern Europe continues to rage, an end to the cycle of interest rate hikes seems within reach. Due to the resurgent world stock markets, online brokers are also likely to experience a significant rebound. Above all, Smartbroker Holding AG should benefit disproportionately from the launch of "Smartbroker 2.0".
Biotech stocks have not yet been able to mirror the major stock market upswing since October 2022. The reason for this is the parallel rise in interest rates, which makes the refinancing of growth companies extremely expensive. MorphoSys acquired the US biotech company Constellation Pharmaceutical for USD 1.7 billion in 2021. Since this huge step, the share has lost 25% of its value. Now, however, the situation seems to be under control. A look ahead to 2023/2024 gives hope, and the share price may have recently reached a technical bottom. We analyze the current development.
In April, Bill Anderson of the United States took up his position on the Board of Management of Bayer AG. On June 1, 2023, he will be appointed CEO, succeeding Werner Baumann, who resigned one year earlier than the end of his contract due to pressure from dissatisfied investors. Anderson has enormous room for change, according to internal sources. It remains to be seen whether a breakup of the life science company would be a consequence of his appointment. Internally, such a move would lead to strong unrest and unsettle employees more than winning their trust in him as the new leader. The trained chemist is being diplomatic: He will spend the next two months "listening" and so far sees no consensus on the issue. Reporters learned this at Bayer's headquarters in Leverkusen, where Anderson gave a speech outlining his vision for the Company. He emphasized that he wants to focus on results and progress in science.
Curing cancer is a dream of humanity. However, when looking at mRNA projects from large companies such as BioNTech or Moderna, a higher survival rate is still considered a success. Moderna, together with the US pharmaceutical company Merck, Sharpe & Dohme (MSD), has now shown that an mRNA vaccine can reduce the mortality of seriously ill skin cancer patients by 40%. This article looks at how Moderna's project relates to Defence Therapeutics, where it connects to BioNTech's projects, and why adjuvant technology is critical in mRNA vaccines.
US company Plug Power, a pioneer of fuel cell technology, is considered one of the greatest hopefuls of the global hydrogen economy. The plans for developing a holistic ecosystem for green hydrogen are huge. Everything from production, distribution, storage and delivery to energy generation is to be offered from a single source. However, there are considerable gaps between the ambitious goals and reality. Plug Power has been unable to close a quarter with a profit for more than 25 years, and even last year's targets were revised downward several times. Now there is the threat of a class-action lawsuit from disappointed shareholders.
With the shutdown of nuclear power plants in Germany, there is a huge need for additional energy sources and types of generation. In Berlin, renewable solutions are favored, although fossil fuels have been increasingly used since the Ukraine crisis began. The semiconductor industry is integral to the Greentech wave because many intelligent chips are needed to control charging cycles, energy storage and battery management systems. Today, an electric vehicle is operated with 4 times the computing power of a conventional combustion vehicle of the last generation. The semiconductor specialist Infineon, from Munich, is ideally positioned for intelligent chips, and business is booming.
Things are happening at the Canadian-German biotech company BioNxt Solutions. Just at the beginning of March, the Company acquired a technology for the enteric coating of tablets. Now things are moving in leaps and bounds. Over the weekend, BioNxt reported that a company contractor has completed initial prototypes of tablets coated with the new technology. The tablets contain active pharmaceutical ingredients and may be used in bioavailability pilot studies. BioNxt is currently exploring opportunities to evaluate its new coating technology in studies.
Canadian biotech company Defence Therapeutics has taken the next step on its journey to improve mRNA vaccines using its Accum™ technology. To this end, the Company has begun comparative studies pitting a "naked" mRNA vaccine against the combination of mRNA vaccine and Accum™. In this article, we discuss how the Canadians are proceeding, why CEO Sébastien Plouffe is confident, and which USD 43 billion acquisition may also give hope to shareholders of Defence Therapeutics.
On the EU list of the most critical metals globally, tungsten appears with a value of 7 on a scale of 0 to 8, ranking higher than iron, cobalt, copper, and titanium. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, demand for the rare element has increased again, as tungsten is used as a hardening metal in alloys for the defence and high-tech industries. In 2024, an additional 5% of the world market volume will come from the South Korean Sangdong mine, further contributing to the depleted supply market. This is an important milestone for Almonty Industries.
After a brilliant first quarter and a share price performance of over 210%, the share of the Heidelberg-based portfolio company Altech Advanced Materials is consolidating at a high level. The current correction offers attractive long-term entry opportunities. The Company is considered an innovation leader in anode composite materials for lithium-ion batteries and environmentally friendly stationary energy storage systems based on solid-state sodium aluminum oxide batteries. In the age of the energy transition, which is still in its infancy, the newcomer thus has double game-changer potential.
It is finally happening! The era of nuclear power plants in Germany has come to an end. The new government in Berlin is sticking to the coalition decisions of 2011 and will phase out nuclear power by April 15, 2023. Because of the current energy crisis, there had been a small extension, but now it is over. According to announcements by the governing Green Party, Germany will be able to generate its energy entirely from renewable sources, with nuclear energy and fossil-fuel power generation giving way to sustainable wind, solar and hydroelectric power plants. Hydrogen is to be a new addition to the game. It is now being used as an energy wildcard for all problems. But how long will it take to make industrial production sufficiently affordable? With its H2 subsidiary Nucera, ThyssenKrupp will play a major role in the race against global warming.
A few days ago, the biotech company Defence Therapeutics announced the launch of its mRNA vaccine program against cancer. The assumption behind this: mRNA vaccines become more effective when combined with Defence Therapeutics' patented drug enhancer Accum™. The Company now wants to test a specially produced mRNA vaccine in its pure form against the combination of mRNA vaccine and Accum™ in a clinical trial. Looking more closely at the challenges of mRNA vaccines, Accum™ could also make other projects more effective and become a sought-after adjuvant technology around mRNA. Find out what is behind it and how great the potential could be.
In an interview with the business and financial news channel CNBC in Tokyo, investment legend Warren Buffett described the Chinese market leader in electric cars as an "extraordinary company." Nevertheless, Berkshire Hathaway, the investment firm he manages, reduced its stake again, for the tenth time, since last August. The market reaction was enormous, with the stock losing more than 5% at times. The setback offers new opportunities because, fundamentally, everything is going according to plan at BYD.
With a gold price of USD 2,032, there was a noticeable jolt through the precious metal community at the beginning of April. This is because the price came very close to the important mark of USD 2,050, the double high from 2020 and 2022. In addition to manifested inflation, poor economic development and emerging crises in the financial sector, there are currently many reasons that speak for higher precious metal prices. Especially in times of political instability, investors are looking for a "catastrophe hedge" in their portfolio. Over the past 25 years, gold has gained 8.6% per annum, offsetting any loss of purchasing power. Now the technical barriers are in place - if they fall, there is no stopping producers like Barrick Gold.
High inflation, geopolitical risks and political upheavals are the breeding ground for rising precious metal prices. A key driver for the rising demand for gold is the price development on the foreign exchange market. Due to the recent disappointing economic data and recent turbulences in the banking sector following the bankruptcy of several regional banks in the US, the US dollar has depreciated significantly. As a result, gold is becoming cheaper on the world market, which is boosting demand. In March 2023, the bankruptcy of Credit Suisse noticeably startled investors and pushed the price of the troy ounce near the old high from 2011. The technical breakout is still to come, but momentum is high and the underlying conditions promise a new cycle for precious metals - good news for Globex Mining's portfolio. Over 200 projects are delivering cash flow and need to be revalued by the market!
Yesterday after the close of trading in Canada, Defence Therapeutics announced the launch of its mRNA vaccine program against cancer. This will involve combining mRNA molecules with Accum™ technology and will be followed by the comparison of the mRNA-Accum™ combination with naked mRNA. The background to the scientific investigation is that mRNA injected into the body is often destroyed as part of immune responses and other processes. Defence Therapeutics believes these processes are absent when combined with Defence's patented Accum™ technology. We look at what the latest news means, where Defence stands right now and what questions investors still need to be answered concerning the Defence Therapeutics share.
Hardly any other sector of the economy was hit as hard by the Corona pandemic as the travel industry and experienced dislocations on an unprecedented scale. Without government rescue packages, the world's largest fully integrated tourism group, TUI, would hardly have survived this crisis of the century. Since the openings and the end of the lockdowns, the number of bookings has increased noticeably. More than 500,000 customers booked a TUI vacation over Easter, and booking numbers are expected to return to pre-Covid levels for the summer. The Group's strategy is clearly defined and focuses operationally on profitable growth in the Vacation Experiences and Markets & Airlines divisions. On the other hand, reducing debt, refinancing and strengthening the balance sheet is at the top of the Hanover-based company's agenda. The ongoing capital increase is now intended to take the first step toward recovery. But questions and uncertainties remain.
The war in Ukraine has been raging for over a year, and an end is nowhere in sight. On the contrary, while peace talks and a diplomatic solution would be the favored solution for many, politicians continue to focus on armament and the supply of heavy weapons. One of the main beneficiaries is the Düsseldorf-based arms manufacturer Rheinmetall, whose share price has risen by 190% since the start of the Russian invasion and has even made it into Germany's highest stock market segment, the DAX. Despite a consistently good news flow with new orders, partnerships, and the construction of a maintenance center in Romania, the all-time high of EUR 281.30 could no longer be held. Looking at the chart, this could result in a longer correction.
Interest rates and inflation have remained at a high level for several months. Due to the constant loss of purchasing power, wage and salary payments will likely have to be increased more than employers would like following various strikes. This could set in motion a wage-price spiral leading to further price indicator increases. Precious metals are a classic hedge against monetary devaluations, as they have been for 100 years. It should only be a matter of time before gold and silver can rise to new record highs. We see the current timing as an excellent entry point into the precious metals. Tocvan Ventures is making great strides in Mexico, and the share price is finally showing muscle.
Trucks with diesel engines have been essential to our economy for many years. Despite their benefits, however, internal combustion engine trucks increase air pollution, contributing to global warming and poor public health. With climate change targets, the transportation industry is retooling and increasingly switching to alternative powertrains. In the light commercial vehicle sector, more and more manufacturers are turning to hydrogen and fuel cell technology. In Europe alone, around 29 million vans must be converted to avoid being taken off the road by 2030. First Hydrogen, a company expected to take market share from the established players with a unique strategy, was launched around two years ago. Now the Company, based in Vancouver and London, is taking the next step, again with a heavyweight.
Since the resurgence of the banking crisis in 2023, precious metals have again been in high demand among investors. In anticipation of a further manifestation of inflation, investors are looking with hope for value stability. The fact is that since the end of the 1990s until today, gold could achieve 8.6% growth per year, more than any other asset class over such a long period. The criterion "value stability" is therefore historically proven because gold appreciated strongly in the last 100 years also against any form of paper money. Gold has already gained about 8% since the beginning of 2023. Commodity fund manager Leigh Goehring is pessimistic and even expects a "decade of inflation". We are looking at an interesting gold project in Western Mali with outstanding prospects.
When corporations want to collaborate with biotech innovators, it is like an accolade - big companies usually take longer to commit. Defence Therapeutics' most recently announced collaboration with French state-owned Orano raises eyebrows for several reasons. Find out what the cooperation in the field of nuclear medicine is all about and what potential could arise from the collaboration.
Again good news from Saskatchewan. Shortly after the successful acquisition of the Ridgeback properties, Saturn Oil & Gas reports a new resource estimate that does not even include the new assets. Rather, year-end 2022 shows how much injected and proved reserves have increased since the Oxbow and Viking expansions. Net asset value per share rises to CAD 6.92, just shy of analysts' price targets. We do the math.
The conversion of the transport sector from diesel engines to alternative drives is both a major challenge for manufacturers of light commercial vehicles and an opportunity of the century. The volume is gigantic. The global light commercial vehicle (LCV) market is expected to reach USD 751.86 billion by 2030, growing at an average annual rate of 5.1% over the next eight years. In addition to established manufacturers, hydrogen company First Hydrogen is gaining more attention. With major partners such as AVL Powertrain, Ballard Power, and EDAG Group, the Vancouver and London-based company is designing zero-emission, latest-generation hydrogen-powered vehicles with a range of over 500 km. The experienced management team has proclaimed market leadership as the goal. Once again, an important milestone has been reached.
PDAC, the world's largest mining trade show, just ended in Toronto. More than 1,100 exhibitors presented themselves to the expert audience, and the team from Researchanalyst.com was also live on-site. The focus this year was clearly on raw materials, which are elementary to achieving climate goals and transforming the energy mix. The Canadian Greentech company dynaCERT also saw a massive increase in interest from the major mine producers. Using the patented HydraGEN technology, companies such as Barrick Gold and Newmont & Co would save fuel and significantly reduce emissions. It is not for nothing that dynaCERT CEO Jim Payne expects a major turnaround in the current fiscal year.
Despite climate change, the world is still heavily dependent on fossil fuels. There is already a political consensus in Europe that these will soon no longer be used primarily in combustion engines. Nevertheless, there is a global understanding that mobility alone cannot be responsible for all changes. Instead, it must be a complete transformation of industry, energy production and human consumption patterns. Saturn Oil & Gas is meeting a small portion of the world's oil and gas needs with a strong focus on sustainable production. We provide an update from Calgary.
Defence Therapeutics' pipeline offers market potential in the range of several hundred billion USD. We present the six most important projects and explain why 2023 will be crunch time for Defence Therapeutics - the decisive phase for the Company and its shareholders is just around the corner. As Defence continues to write its success stories, the multifaceted Canadian company could soon be wooed by pharmaceutical giants - the first collaborations have already been signed.
Achieving future climate targets will inevitably mean a shift towards a CO2-neutral society. Alongside renewably generated electricity, hydrogen plays a key role in this. In this context, green hydrogen is the only type of gas fully compatible with the net zero emissions targets. It is therefore considered an essential element for the worldwide climate turnaround. As a result of the billions of euros in programs launched by politicians in the USA, Europe and China, companies operating in this sector are benefiting significantly. First Hydrogen is likely to benefit from the subsidies in several ways. On the one hand, the hydrogen specialist has branches in North America, Great Britain and Europe. On the other, the Company will, in the future, offer the complete value chain, from the development and construction of light commercial vehicles to refueling systems and the production of green hydrogen. The next few weeks will be decisive for the still-young company.
Whether through the Inflation Reduction Act by the USA or the planned Green Deal Industrial Plan of the European Union, politicians are trying with all their might to accelerate the switch from fossil fuels to renewable energies. As a flexible and easily transportable energy carrier, green hydrogen is seen as a critical element in transforming industry and transportation. However, there are high hurdles to overcome in the implementation. In addition to the expansion of the filling station infrastructure, the expensive production costs of the gas represent a massive obstacle to conquering the mass market. The technology developed by dynaCERT and its joint venture partner Cipher Neutron could solve this problem in the near future.
An important component of the global effort to protect the climate is clean energy generation and storage. Efficient electricity use requires high-performance storage systems that allow energy to be used regardless of the time of day. The chemical industry has been working for decades on processes that enable more efficient exploitation of our resources. For the chemical giant BASF from Ludwigsburg, Germany is not an easy terrain for innovative research and development due to its high-cost structure. We provide an update from Ludwigshafen.
The renowned City of Hope Clinic in the greater Los Angeles area wants nothing less than to lead the revolution in the fight against cancer. Here, where globally acclaimed breakthroughs against blood cancer and diabetes were achieved in the 1970s, the biotech company Defence Therapeutics now wants to clear important hurdles in the approval process of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Here is what the collaboration is all about and what it could mean for the young biotech company.
The major interest rate turnaround in 2022 is bringing the big banks back into business. While banks had to contend with negative interest rates during the period of low-interest rates, the situation is now increasingly easing. The deposit side is generating positive inflows, and the lending business is again generating adequate margins. Deutsche Bank is back at the level of 2007, i.e. shortly before the outbreak of the financial crisis. Its transformation into the modern age would be largely complete if it were not for the threat of insolvencies generated by the aftermath of the Corona pandemic hanging over the lending business as a sword of Damocles. We provide an update from Frankfurt.
It is well known that hydrogen is a central building block for the energy transition and achieving climate targets. With the launch of programs worth billions of dollars, not only the USA with the Inflation Reduction Act and China with announced subsidies of around USD 280 billion, but also Europe wants to make huge investments in the green energy of the future. One of the most important players in this field is the pioneer of fuel cell technology, Plug Power. The Company plans to build an end-to-end ecosystem for green hydrogen, ranging from production, distribution, storage and delivery to power generation, in order to benefit from the enormous economies of scale. However, there is a big gap between the ambitious plans and the implementation.
To ensure the competitiveness of their countries in the field of green energies, politicians are outbidding each other with subsidy programs in the triple-digit billions. Last year, the US already came up with the "Inflation Reduction Act" in the amount of USD 370 billion, on the one hand, to promote domestic industry and, on the other hand, to lure foreign corporations overseas. The EU is challenged to maintain the connection because, besides the United States, China has also announced subsidies in green technologies of more than USD 280 billion. The European Union now wants to counter with the "Green Deal Industrial Plan" in order to secure Europe as a business location in the long term. One of the main beneficiaries of this bid is the global hydrogen innovator First Hydrogen, which, in addition to branches in North America, Great Britain and Europe, is also likely to profit several times over with the development of light commercial vehicles, refueling systems and the production and distribution of green hydrogen.
Shareholders of the agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals group Bayer made an unprecedented decision at the 2019 Annual Stockholders' Meeting: Werner Baumann, the incumbent Dax boss, was the first not to be discharged. Now - after four out of five years of his current contract - the way is clear for an external manager. Bill Anderson takes the helm as of April 1. Find out how the surprising change came about a year earlier than expected and what the consequences are for investors in this stock update.
After the chaotic year 2021, with several forecast reductions and a decline of the TeamViewer share of around 80%, the past fiscal year was characterized by consolidation, both in the operating business and on the stock exchange. By achieving its annual targets, the MDAX-listed company partially regained the confidence of investors and analysts. With a positive outlook, TeamViewer expects double-digit revenue growth within a range of 10% to 14% for fiscal year 2023. With stable profitability, the long-term rebound could gain further momentum. The planned exit from the horrendous shirt sponsorship deal with Manchester United should provide a significant positive effect.
The ramp-up of electromobility continued in 2022. Despite delays due to blown supply chains and plant closures caused by Corona lockdowns, sales of pure battery-powered vehicles increased by around 63% to 7 million. Globally, US manufacturer Tesla still holds the most market share, with 1.3 million units sold. In China, however, the world's largest market, the company of the controversial leader Elon Musk was already knocked off its throne in the first half of the year by the Chinese technology company BYD. Since then, the Warren Buffett-backed group has continued to expand its lead and is likely to come closer to its global place in the sun by expanding into other countries.
Scientific findings gain significance when validated and discussed by independent researchers. Defence Therapeutics' technology recently received funding and expert endorsement from Canadian biotech funder CQDM, which is funded by numerous industry multinationals, among others. We look at what the collaboration could mean for Defence Therapeutics, why nasal spray as chemotherapy is increasingly likely, and why Defence's technology portfolio fits the bill right now in what analysts expect to be a wave of acquisitions in the biotech sector.
The war in Ukraine exacerbates the need for the measures adopted in recent years to change our energy supply. The sudden scarcity and accompanying price explosion of fossil fuels is driven by our dependence on Russia and China alone in the European renewal process. Experts now realise that electromobility will probably only have a positive impact on the ambient air. Other concepts must be put on the table! When it comes to hydrogen, the EU can be said to be a global pioneer in hydrogen technology, despite much lip service. Nel ASA is a Scandinavian protagonist with high innovative power. An update from Norway.
Greentech is on everyone's lips. Politicians, climate activists and even ordinary citizens want a cleaner world and are establishing a more sustainable lifestyle. This can only be achieved through widely available and affordable energy because then industrial and mobility concepts can be transferred to an age of decarbonization. The clean forms of energy generation still require a high input of resources because the necessary infrastructure must first be created. In a second step, savings and a reduced CO2 footprint will follow. Globex Mining is a broadly diversified resource company; its founder and CEO, Jack Stoch, is a mining legend. He knows a thing or two about finding and industrially producing metals. Here is an update from Ontario.
Access to critical metals has always been a political issue. Strategic alliances are becoming increasingly crucial in geopolitical environments such as we have been experiencing since Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. In a world where climate protection and armaments are being pushed in the same breath by all political forces, it is essential to secure access to raw materials. Tungsten has been placed on the EU's list of critical metals. Almonty Industries has been mining tungsten for a long time and is currently working on opening a mine in South Korea that can supply 5% of the world's supply. In addition, there is molybdenum there as well. We provide an update.
The significant corrections on the stock markets and the resulting drop in trading volumes dragged down the prices of online brokers in the past stock market year. Nevertheless, investors' appetite for shares remains unbroken despite the sharp price falls. Even in Germany, the land of savings books and growth certificates, the number of equity savers rose by 830,000 to 12.9 million in 2022, according to the German Equities Institute. Currently, the recovery on the stock markets is likely to continue as the phase of interest rate hikes comes to an end. This should also increase the trading figures again, whereby the segment of online brokers should experience a rebound. Smartbroker Holding AG, in particular, took a brutal blow due to delays in the development of the Next Generation Broker. If the new schedule is adhered to, there will be an attractive opportunity for disproportionate share price gains.
The market is gigantic for commercial vehicle manufacturers worldwide and represents an opportunity of the century. Due to the political requirements to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector over the next few years, the industry is currently experiencing a boom that is likely to continue well into the next decade. As of the end of 2021, around 93% of all light and heavy commercial vehicles in Germany were still powered by diesel, while the proportion of those using alternative fuels was a low 2%. In the course of tightening climate targets, this disparity should be turned around as quickly as possible in the next few years. First Hydrogen's vision is to become the leading designer and manufacturer of zero-emission, long-range hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles in the UK, EU and North America. By working with another industry heavyweight, the fledgling company is now moving ever closer to the mass market.
In January, a healthcare conference hosted by JP Morgan kissed the entire biotech industry awake. Another industry meeting is now scheduled for February in New York. Defence Therapeutics will be giving two presentations there to present itself to colleagues and investors. The Canadians will be presenting a flexible, patented platform technology and a whole series of projects that are about to enter Phase I trials. An mRNA vaccine candidate against skin cancer recently convinced with a cure rate of 60% in animals. We shed light on the Company and the share.
In 2021, 18.7 million people received the shocking diagnosis of "cancer". Current trends, unfortunately, suggest that this number will continue to rise in the coming years. Thanks to growing research successes, however, there is hope that biotechnology will make survival more likely for those affected. It is a matter of developing suitable active substances and launching modern therapies. Why some people get cancer, and others do not is unclear. The Munich-based biotechnology company is looking for suitable answers and is very far advanced with its current pipeline. Is the next blockbuster lurking here?
With the announcement of the final figures for the full year 2022, the highly scalable business model of the Mediatech company was again underpinned despite the challenging market environment. Both revenues and profitability grew at double-digit rates. The Australians now want to take advantage of the current financial year and grow exponentially through targeted acquisitions. In addition to inorganic growth, the Company is also planning to enter North America. This is linked to an intended Nasdaq listing, which should significantly increase the attention of the Company and the share.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at the latest, heralded a global, geopolitical turning point. While the last three decades since the fall of the Iron Curtain have been characterized by peace and prosperity, the signs are now pointing to rearmament at all costs in order to put a stop to the aggressor from Eastern Europe. Above all, the governing party with the sunflower in its coat of arms is demanding that heavy weapons be supplied for peace and that the ailing Bundeswehr be made combat-ready by spending billions over the next few years. The primary beneficiary of this change in thinking is the integrated international technology group for mobility and security, Rheinmetall AG, which enjoys a unique selling point thanks to its broadly diversified portfolio.
Is the economy still alive, or is it heading downhill again in 2023? This was the question posed by participants at the World Economic Forum in Davos. In 2022, the central banks had to deal with their primary topic of "currency devaluation" and raised interest rates, in some cases sharply. But the period of significant interest rate hikes is now drawing to a close, although inflation could remain high for a few more months. This is bad news for the economy and society. For precious metals, however, which serve as inflation protection, this is water on the mills. Of the 10 largest gold and silver states in the world is Mexico. In the state of Sonora, the Canadian explorer Tocvan Ventures has impressive findings to report.
They did it again - the next takeover goes over the ticker! Saturn Oil & Gas delivered another bang for the buck in the Canadian oil and gas business on Friday. With the CAD 525 million acquisition of Ridgeback Resources, the Calgary-based company thus makes another giant leap. At a time when fossil raw materials are needed again more than ever, the Canadians have once again succeeded in making a deal of perceivable size. As a result, the daily production rate will increase by 140% to approximately 30,000 BOE/day after the transaction's closing. The total enterprise value is thus getting closer and closer to the billion mark. Good news for all shareholders because the management is sticking to its successful motto: Growth!
The years 2020 and 2021 represent rapid share price gains. In recent trading days, the Defence Therapeutics share has built up momentum reminiscent of the stock market boom of that time. At the same time, things are moving forward operationally. In the coming weeks and months, the Company plans to move several projects related to the fight against cancer into Phase 1 trials. According to market researchers, the market potential for all projects could reach USD 100 billion by 2030. In this report, we learn what is at stake now, what announcements are making prices rise and why a takeover bid is possible at any time.
Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death worldwide, which claims at least 17.9 million lives each year. More than 4 out of 5 deaths from cardiovascular disease are due to heart attacks and strokes, 1/3 of which occur in people under 70. The most recent victim: Lisa Marie Presley. The daughter of music legend Elvis Presley lived to be only 54 years old and succumbed to cardiac arrest. Worldwide, 35% of women die from cardiovascular disease - making it the most common cause of death. Life sciences company Cardiol Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CRDL) (TSX: CRDL) is focused on the discovery and clinical development of anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic therapies for the treatment of heart disease. There is news, particularly in recurrent pericarditis.
Gold has been in strong focus since the turn of the year. Driven by geopolitical uncertainties and a historic inflation rate of just under 10% in Europe, the precious metal approached the USD 2,000 mark again in January. While the gold price in euro terms is only EUR 100 per ounce below the high of August 2020, the gap in the world currency US dollar, is still around USD 170 per ounce or 8% from the nominal all-time high at USD 2,075 per ounce of gold. At the moment, the smaller public companies in the gold segment are trading at a deep discount. In turn, this invites the big players in the market for takeovers because it is currently impossible to buy into the increasingly scarce new gold projects at a lower price. Desert Gold Ventures is sitting on a premium project in Mali, West Africa, and its more prominent neighbors are likely just waiting for the next results.
Gold got off to a good start in 2023, with prices beyond the USD 1,900 mark. Due to the general price increases in the commodity and goods markets, the central banks reacted in 2022 with some upward interest rate adjustments. The onset of inflation also gave precious metals a good raison d'être. That is because they offer wealth preservation in the longer term and protect against excessive loss of purchasing power. Large mining companies thrive on their product diversity and the resulting diversification in their proprietary balance sheets. For investors, the framework conditions for commodity investments have improved dramatically in the last 2 years. However, despite all the euphoria surrounding important metals such as copper, the major producers still lag behind their expectations. Barrick Gold is well positioned with its deposits in gold and copper. Yesterday, the Company delivered its first figures for the full year 2022.
The past stock market year was a disaster for the loyal Varta shareholders. With a minus of 85%, the popular technology stock has been hit hard. But the new year starts with a bang. Because in the first two trading weeks, the share recorded a plus of around 20%! Many issues put pressure on the mood in 2022: sales and profit forecasts were lowered several times, the resignation of the CEO, and some major shareholders threw bundles of Varta shares onto the market. Many analysts had dramatically lowered their price target because of the operational weaknesses. The new Varta CEO Markus Hackstein has now brought in restructuring experts from Boston Consulting to get the battery manufacturer, which had come under pressure, back on track. We look at the chances of a comeback for the Ellwangen-based technology company.
Cancer changes everything. Effective remedies against the scourge of our time would be a revolution. Defence Therapeutics is working to turn hope into fact: In the coming weeks, vaccines against cancer are to be combined with Accum, a drug enhancer patented by Defence, and then clinically tested. For the Company, this could mean a breakthrough at a time when the big players in the industry are paying close attention to innovative biotechs with a platform approach. With the help of facts and figures, we outline where Defence Therapeutics currently stands, which projects could ultimately result in a convincing overall picture and why the share has excellent prospects.
The second industrial revolution is to begin in an area at the northern end of thyssenkrupp's steel mill in Duisburg. Where steel slabs are currently stored, one of the world's most advanced green steel production plants will go into operation in around three years. Green because hydrogen will be used in production instead of dirty coal. At least, that is how thyssenkrupp Steel envisions it. A lot is currently being done within the Group to give the historic business units a modern face. Will good old thyssenkrupp AG now become a Greentech company?
The J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, January 9 - 12, 2023, in San Francisco, is the largest and most informative healthcare investment conference, bringing together leaders in the industry. Emerging, fast-growing companies, innovative technology developers and investment community members also find a home here. Bayer Pharma Division Head and Board Member Stefan Oelrich is making investors' hearts beat faster with blockbuster-level new drug announcements and sales estimates. Four new drugs could generate sales of more than EUR 12 billion at peak times. Consumer Health also grew strongly on the back of increased self-medication. Can these two divisions pull Monsanto's beleaguered Crop Science division along? Early investors would like to see a change in leadership and are looking to split up the group to guarantee shareholder value.
The start of the new year could not be better for shareholders of the Heidelberg-based portfolio company Altech Advanced Materials. Gains of over 50% are on the price list for the first few days. The share price rally is not surprising, however, as the Company is in tune with the spirit of the times with two innovations in the field of battery technology that could herald a new era in the electromobility sector. The next step towards commercialization is now to be taken with the construction and commissioning of a pilot plant.
Nuclear energy is experiencing a renaissance. With a growing focus on electrification and decarbonization, the world has begun transitioning to clean energy to meet established climate neutrality goals. Alongside the expansion of renewables, nuclear power is becoming an integral part of the global energy mix. Thus, the largest industrialized nations, with the exception of Germany, are relying on nuclear power, attributing to it a key role in achieving the targets. However, due to the Ukraine conflict and possible sanctions against Russia, growing demand has been met with limited supply. The US alone obtains nearly 50% of the uranium it needs from state-owned companies in Russia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. The US government responded with billion-dollar programs to support domestic uranium producers. This benefits the exploration company Oberon Uranium, which is promisingly positioned for a rising market with two projects.
The move away from fossil fuels has been decided. The transformation of the traffic and transport sector is underway and is being subsidized by governments worldwide with programmes worth billions. The key to achieving climate goals lies, among other things, in the switch to green hydrogen as an energy carrier. Here, the newcomer First Hydrogen has clearly positioned itself with its "Hydrogen-as-a-Service" model. It wants to cover the entire value chain in the future with the construction of emission-free vehicles and the production and distribution of green hydrogen. With a market capitalization of CAD 233.41 million, the Canadians still have significant upside potential compared to their peer group, despite an outperformance in the current stock market year.
Uncertainties and delays with regard to the further development of the "Smartbroker 2.0" project were the reasons for the crash of the Smartbroker Holding AG share in recent weeks. Thus, the Company lost more than half of its stock market value since the beginning of August. With the announcement of a long-term partnership and a change in strategy, nothing now stands in the way of a successful launch of the Next Generation Broker, which is planned for mid-2023.
The economic challenges for successful business development could hardly be more challenging than now. First, there was the Corona pandemic, then blown-up supply chains and now steadily rising inflation. Few companies are managing to emerge stronger from the crisis. One of the exceptions is Australian mediatech company Aspermont, which reported high double-digit growth in both revenue and profitability for the fiscal year, demonstrating the resilience of its business model. In the current financial year, the leading media service provider for the global raw materials industry intends to keep growth high and ignite the next stage with investments from organic cash flow.
The energy turnaround requires billions of euros of investment from the public and private sectors to achieve climate neutrality in the medium term. An important factor here is unrestricted access to important raw materials, the scarcity of which has become extremely acute as a result of the Corona pandemic and geopolitical conflicts. Parallel escalating inflation is making the procurement and production of key high-tech goods much more expensive. The ongoing price hike and increasing trade conflicts could even lead Western industries into a prolonged recession. Globex Mining has recognized the challenges and has been securing key properties for many years, primarily in North America, whose jurisdictions allow for the safe location of mining industries. The investment approach of mining legend Jack Stoch (CEO) is unique in the industry.
Delays and restrictions due to the Corona pandemic delayed the global roll-out of dynaCERT's patented HydraGEN technology for reducing CO2 emissions. However, the Company used this idle time to set up global sales in addition to refining the technology. In addition, dynaCERT is nearing completion on Verra's Verified Carbon Standard program, the most widely used greenhouse gas crediting program in the world. This will provide customers with a closed ecosystem, which should lead to high economies of scale. Now, company leader Jim Payne surprised with an innovative move.
The oil market has shown strong distortions since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. If you look at the global economic situation, you would inevitably expect the demand for oil to fall. However, due to the sanctions imposed by the Western industrialized nations on the aggressor Russia, other supply routes for the black gold have become established. Europe in particular is severely undersupplied, leading to extreme prices in the industrial and private sectors. If there are any profiteers at all from the current geopolitical situation, it is the oil and gas producers from North America, because they can run their pumps at full throttle and sell at good market prices. It is therefore worth looking again to Saskatchewan.
Time is of the essence. Climate change is the most fundamental challenge of our generation. With the amendment of the Climate Protection Act 2021, Germany, for example, has tightened the requirements even further and anchored the goal of greenhouse gas neutrality by 2045. For the transformation of transport, which is responsible for around 20% of greenhouse gas emissions according to the German Federal Environment Agency, this means a tour de force that is almost impossible to implement in practice. The hurdles are particularly high in the transport sector. In addition to horrendous investments by the commercial vehicle industry, the lack of charging and refueling infrastructure is an obstacle to being able to bury the internal combustion engine in a timely manner. In a joint declaration at the end of last year, European truck manufacturers such as Daimler, Scania and MAN announced their intention to stop producing diesel trucks by 2040 in order to be climate-neutral by 2050. However, an immediate solution is offered by the Canadian company dynaCERT, which achieves significant emission reductions with its patented HydraGEN technology. With the successful completion of a pilot project, nothing now stands in the way of entry into the mass market.
For months, the Chinese technology company BYD was able to escape the general market correction. While the competition around the former top dog Tesla had to struggle with closures of their production facilities due to the Corona pandemic, the Shenzhen-based company was largely spared and secured its place in the sun in Chinese electric car sales, which it was able to expand significantly in the course of the year. However, since the sale of a block of shares by Berkshire Hathaway, the investment firm managed by Warren Buffett, became known, the BYD share price went steeply downhill, losing around 40% of its value at the end of August. Even strong figures for the third quarter could not stop the downward spiral.
Resources on earth are unequally distributed. Especially in the case of important and rare metals, many production sites are located in China and Russia. Immediately, this brings up political discussions because the strain on supply chains should not lead to dependence on the West for important supplies from geopolitically dubious zones. Recently, delivery of the US's new F35 fighter jet to the US military and allies had to be halted after key components were arguably produced in China. US procurement law prohibits military equipment from being purchased from foreign suppliers. That makes it clear: Almonty Industries is one of the upcoming key producers for the strategically important metal tungsten.
Opportunities arise for companies when copycat drugs are just as good as the original. The Canadian company XPhyto has taken a big step toward market readiness in the fight against Parkinson's disease. Over the next five minutes, we briefly explain what is important now and how great the opportunities are. We also show how XPhyto is helping to counter the opioid wave in the USA and what imagination lies in the little-noticed business field of psychedelics.
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.
Vaccinations against various types of cancer and drug boosters that are suitable for reducing the effective doses of drugs - this is what Defence Therapeutics stood for, until yesterday. Now the Company has expanded its portfolio: the active ingredient AccuTOX™ ensures that cancer cells die. A Phase 1 trial is planned for 2023. Find out what the new application means and how the Company is otherwise positioned in our update.
It leaves a bad taste when poor numbers are served on a Saturday morning for breakfast. In order to prevent an immediate sellout, VARTA AG probably wants to create the opportunity to brood more closely over the profit warning that was sent out. We had already expected falling sales and profits and the "growing uncertainties" are also nothing new. Nevertheless, VARTA is operating in an absolute growth sector. Anyone who wants to be at the forefront of international competition today has to sail close to the wind. VARTA is obviously having a hard time here, even though the battery market is booming. An update on the data from Ellwangen.
Profound changes are underway in the global energy industry. Governments, industry and consumers are in the process of building a climate-neutral economy in which clean hydrogen occupies a key position as a raw material, energy carrier and fuel. In the transport sector in particular, far-reaching transformations are of elementary importance. There have been hardly any resounding successes in recent years, especially in this sector, which is so important for the climate turnaround. Vancouver and London-based First Hydrogen Corp. is a newcomer to the market, specializing in zero-emission vehicles and the production and distribution of green hydrogen. Through its unique "best-of strategy", the experienced management has been able to set clear scent marks in the recent past. A milestone has now been reached with the inclusion in a leading consortium in the UK, which has, however, received little attention from the broader market.
Germany's energy supply is at risk. One of the major consumers is the chemical giant BASF, which uses gas throughout its production process as an energy and heat supplier, catalyst and indispensable ingredient in packaging and cosmetics. Gas is essential in over 50,000 products - due to the ongoing conflict with Russia, it is now threatening to become scarce in Central Europe. Overall, analysts calculate that a lack of gas supplies from Russia could reduce chemical production in Germany by a fifth by 2024. Some industry stocks are already trading below book value, and the stock market is downgrading Germany's competitiveness compared with the globalized market. Is there any hope for the scolded DAX stock?
Electromobility is considered a key technology in the transformation of the transport sector. In 2021 alone, the number of new registrations and the market share of battery-powered vehicles more than doubled. Sales growth was led by the People's Republic of China, which accounted for more than half, with 3.3 million vehicles. In the Middle Kingdom in particular, the battle for market share is in full swing. BYD, the technology company based in Shenzhen in southern China, left the class leader Tesla behind in the latest sales figures. It is likely to further expand its leading position based on its positioning and battery expertise, which is likely to be reflected in further increases in stock market quotations.
In recent weeks, concerns about the development of the global economy have put oil prices under pressure for the first time since the start of the Ukraine - Russia war. High inflation, coupled with the first stronger interest rate hikes by some central banks, is likely to dampen economic development and thus also reduce demand for crude oil. Oil prices are likely to have completed the first cycle of increases, with Brent prices recently reaching USD 135. Now a leveling off is taking place, which will have to find its way through the entire mix of strikes (Norway) and production interruptions (Kazakhstan). The fact remains that oil will have to remain an indispensable commodity for quite a while, because there are too few alternatives. Therefore, even in an incipient recession and continuing uncertain geopolitical conditions, a high oil price is to be expected. In Saskatchewan, Canada, the oil producer Saturn Oil & Gas is growing out of its infancy into a new dimension.
The past business year was extremely successful for Germany's leading "next generation broker" in terms of client assets under management, the Smartbroker. Although wallstreet:online AG, which will operate under the name Smartbroker Holding AG in the future, intends to grow by around 25% in 2022, the current year is considered a transitional year. Currently, the Berliners are working at full speed on Smartbroker 2.0. With the presentation of the "Case Study 2026" at the recent Annual General Meeting, the optimized model was presented - the potential became clear. Due to the significant correction of the share in recent months, this is a more than interesting entry opportunity at a reduced level.
In order for markets to function efficiently, theory presupposes a comprehensive level of information among all players involved. But in practice, things sometimes look different: When education is no longer sufficient to understand companies' products and methods, an information deficit arises. The market then also no longer functions efficiently, and market anomalies occur. Especially around biotech stocks, investors repeatedly have problems understanding products, solutions and interrelationships. In the case of Defence Therapeutics, the analysis firm Canaccord Genuity is now shedding comprehensive light on the situation. For investors with insight, this can be an opportunity.
On June 21, 2022, the US Supreme Court rejected an appeal by Bayer AG in the case brought by Californian Edwin Hardeman. Bayer AG sought to avoid billions of dollars in damages through the appeal in order to dismiss lawsuits brought by consumers like Hardeman. The Californian claims to have developed cancer from decades of using the weedkiller Roundup on his Bay Area property. Roundup is part of the product portfolio of Monsanto, which Bayer Group acquired in 2016. His lawsuit serves as an example for thousands of similar lawsuits. What does this mean for investors and private investors?
Stagnating supply chains and chip shortages: Because of a lack of semiconductors, between 7 and 10 million fewer cars will be produced than planned in 2021 and 2022, and the auto industry will miss out on billions in sales. When will the scare come to an end? The carmakers probably underestimated the situation from the start. A few months ago, they believed that there would soon be enough semiconductors for their vehicles again. But they were wrong - the chip shortage has become a permanent problem that has now hit the industry like a tornado. And this, of all things, at a time when manufacturers want to make a massive switch to e-mobility, for which even more specialized semiconductors are needed. The German technology group Infineon can hardly save itself from orders in the automotive sector. How is Germany performing as an industrial high-tech location?
Desert Gold Ventures is a Canadian gold exploration and development company focused on gold deposits in Africa, primarily West Africa. The Company's SMSZ project is one of the largest gold exploration projects in West Africa and has more than 20 open gold zones discovered to date. The project has the potential for further resource increases and the discovery of one or more large gold deposits comparable to Tier 1 gold mines in the region. Current news, project progress, and increasing M&A activity in the industry should boost the stock.
Oil prices are spiraling upward every day, and now the EU is threatening to impose an oil embargo on the aggressor Russia. This is increasingly complicating Germany's situation because the already difficult gas supply situation for the coming winter is now being compounded by the alternative procurement of oil on the world markets. This is happening at prices that have recently climbed to a 14-year high. Germany was dependent on Russian energy supplies for around 40% of its energy needs until 2021. On the other side of the Atlantic, however, oil production is going from strength to strength. Saturn Oil + Gas from the Canadian province of Saskatchewan is pulling off another mammoth takeover, this time with a volume of CAD 260 million. Production can increase by 50% as a result of the deal. The Western procurement market is already giving thanks. We do the math.
Sometimes it is a paradox on the capital markets: While the operating business is developing better than ever and all segments are rushing from record to record, the share price is falling drastically. This can be clearly seen at wallstreet:online AG, on the one hand Germany's leading neobroker operator by assets under custody and also by far the largest publisher-independent financial portal operator in the German-speaking world. After share price losses of up to 50% since June of last year and a positive outlook for the year as a whole, the management is now buying in addition to the supervisory board and founder.
The winners of the Ukraine conflict, as macabre as it may sound, are primarily arms companies such as Düsseldorf-based Rheinmetall AG. While these companies were still denounced as "socially harmful" shortly before the invasion of Russia, the share prices exploded at the latest after the announcement of a special fund of EUR 100 billion for the German Armed Forces. In addition, in order to create sustainability, at least 2% of economic output annually is to secure Germany's security, freedom and democracy in the long term. Now the agreement reached by the traffic light government and the CDU/CSU has cleared the way for the package. However, there was no further jump in the share price of the profiteer. In addition, further questions remain open for the future.
The dramatic changes in the energy markets are now being eyed with suspicion by European governments, because dependence on Russian oil and gas supplies may mean considerable expenditure on a replacement strategy in the future. Even at the beginning of the COVID pandemic, the oil price fell below USD 35 - in the days since the Russian aggression, prices have been reported to exceed USD 130. By thinking about embargoes, theoretically 11% of the world's energy supplies fall under the table. Fortunately, it is not like that, because India and China are happy about the Russian exports at dumping prices and thus relieve the global markets somewhat. North America is seizing the opportunity and is on the rise again with fracking, as even oil fields with production costs beyond the CAD 60 mark are once again profitable. The Canadian Saturn Oil + Gas from Saskatchewan has undergone a complete transformation in the last two years, and today they are stronger than ever in the market. The company delivered approximately 7,500 barrels of oil equivalent (boe) per day in Q1 2022, this is an improvement of over 3,000% over the same period in 2021. The current share price development has not yet reflected the special development of Saturn Oil + Gas, because in addition to recent quarterly figures, there is now also an increase in guidance.
Varta puts a difficult quarter behind it. The battery expert continues to suffer from weak demand for the otherwise fast-growing lithium-ion button cells. Although growth in energy storage systems and interest in conventional household batteries remain high, this cannot currently compensate for the decline in small rechargeable button cells. The sales from the e-mobility sector that the stock market is eagerly awaiting are still a long way off. Consequently, confidence is fading and investors are becoming much more cautious. A poor chart performance and the current crisis in growth stocks are not helping either. More operational momentum is needed in the course of the year. Here is an update from Ellwangen.
The Ukraine crisis shows the vulnerability of European energy policy. Continuing as before not only jeopardizes supply but also political stability in Europe because a permanent doubling of energy prices would put an extreme strain on purchasing power and future growth. The sooner the EU switches to renewables, the sooner the community of nations will become more independent and the more it will gain control over its own energy system. The energy renewal plan recently presented by the EU Commission, called "REPowerEU," is a bold initiative. With REPowerEU, the climate policy gains another crucial justification: it is no longer only necessary to mitigate the serious consequences of global warming, such as droughts, floods, social conflicts and migration in emerging economies. It is now also clear that a consistent climate policy will be part of the coming peace policy.
Last year, the leading media services provider for the commodities industry completed its transformation into a B2B digital media company, distributing high-quality content to a rapidly growing global audience through its XaaS model. Although the live events division slipped away due to the Corona pandemic, the Australians successfully navigated the period marked by COVID-19, and the Company made significant strides toward growth and profitability. The Future of Mining Australia event has now heralded a return to physical events, enabling Aspermont to generate exceptional returns. The figures for the second quarter clearly show the enormous potential for the future.
The conditions for a transformation of the energy industry could not be better. With the outbreak of war in Ukraine and the declared sanctions, the switch from fossil fuels such as oil and gas to renewable energies is to be accelerated significantly once again in order to reduce dependence on Russia. Green hydrogen is seen as the key to achieving climate targets and is becoming increasingly competitive due to the sharp rise in gasoline prices. In the long term, market leader Plug Power should benefit from its green hydrogen ecosystem. Despite this, the chart is severely battered and a major correction is imminent.
Last year went well for Bayer AG, with a consolidated net income of EUR 1 billion. In 2020, Bayer had posted a loss of EUR 10.5 billion. This was largely due to the formation of reserves for the Monsanto litigation. The Group also has to forfeit the loss of exclusivity rights to two of its most profitable pharmaceutical products. However, the seed business is picking up, as is the demand for pesticides. Thanks to its CropScience, Pharmaceuticals and Consumer Health divisions, Bayer has three mainstays. Back in the black, the Leverkusen-based company faces its next challenge: potential crisis effects from the Ukraine war and its consequences on the global economy have not yet been priced in.
Since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, oil and gas prices have been moving very strongly upwards. Currently, Brent and WTI spot prices are hovering in a narrow band of USD 95 to 112 per barrel. That makes it very difficult for large energy consumers such as industry or public utilities to make their price calculations over several months. Of course, the underlying trend in prices continues to be upward, as inflation now affects all types of goods. There are currently high spirits at the Canadian oil producer Saturn Oil & Gas because the financial transformation of the last few months has been completed, and there is now a resource estimate that beats all expectations. An update.
The Ukraine crisis and its humanitarian catastrophe have shown the Western industrial nations that a singular dependence on fossil raw materials can become a serious supply threat in the event of a conflict. Economic weapons are used as leverage in today's warfare; sanctions are followed by supply bottlenecks and supply shortages. Political decision-makers now have these points clearly on the table. All the more reason for industry and consumers to join forces: alternative energies must be put on the table even sooner than expected. Now, Europe in particular must show that an economic union can also consistently pursue common paths to crisis management. Varta AG represents the German art of engineering and can make a big splash with its innovative approaches to energy technology. An update from Ellwangen.
Last year, fertilizer producer Kali + Salz already benefited from increased demand from farmers and sharply rising prices for potash, one of the most important mineral fertilizers for plant cultivation. Following Russia's war of aggression and the sanctions imposed on companies such as Uralkali and Belaruskali, which account for around one-third of production among themselves, supply is once again being minimized. As a result, the base price is rising to its highest level in ten years and is only just off its all-time highs of 2008. By focusing on its core business with potash and magnesium products, the MDAX company could thus benefit disproportionately in the future.
For wallstreet:online AG, the past fiscal year brought new records despite a slowdown in the boom of general stock trading. Thus, almost all issued group targets were surpassed. In terms of assets under management, the Company also rose to become by far the largest neobroker operator in Germany with more than EUR 8.8 billion. The internal targets for the current year 2022 are also ambitious. A new era is now to begin with Smartbroker 2.0. After the recent turbulence in the wake of the Ukraine conflict and the correction of the overall market, the wallstreet:online share lost significantly. This results in attractive long-term entry opportunities.
The armed conflicts between Ukraine and Russia have had a lasting impact on the commodity markets. In an already tense price situation, the US import ban on Russian oil is causing further distortions on the energy markets. The sharp sanctions imposed by many countries had caused Brent and WTI prices to rise to over USD 130 at times. It was not until the beginning of this week that prices eased again slightly to below USD 110. However, analysts and experts in conflict monitoring expect further uncertainties in the supply situation. The situation is aggravated by the fact that Iran is currently unable to increase its production due to stalled nuclear negotiations and OPEC is also still unable to significantly increase production. In the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, there is still one high-growth oil producer that is moving to new shores. Update.
Both politicians and industry are taking a high risk in order to achieve the climate targets. Fossil fuels are to be replaced by alternative energy sources as quickly as possible. In turn, the consumption of metallic raw materials is increasing in order to build renewable, energy-efficient systems. In addition to copper, cobalt and nickel, the demand for rare earth metals, which have to be imported almost entirely from China, is increasing dramatically. Now it is not only about the economic security of the West, but also its military security, as it is considered essential for the defense industry. The dependency is frightening given the currently escalating geopolitical tensions. Alternatives outside China are few and far between. A Canadian company could provide some relief in the supply chains, offering to supply around 10% of current global production in the near future. As explained below, the chances of this happening are extremely favorable.
Anyone looking for modern technologies, will find them at thyssenkrupp AG. After years of restructuring, the Essen-based group can report an initial positive conclusion: The transformation to modernity has been successfully implemented! The sale of non-core activities is not yet complete, but the measures of the transformation program are already taking effect. In its new form, thyssenkrupp AG and its subsidiaries are now a high-performing group with strong independent businesses. At present, the risks of significantly increased raw material prices and disrupted supply chains remain, but they should be manageable over time and no longer pose a threat to the medium-term outlook. However, the continuation of the armed conflicts in Eastern Europe directly impacts individual areas of the thyssenkrupp Group. We analyze the opportunities and risks.
In the debate about the spread of electromobility and the battery metals required, the focus is often on the raw materials lithium, cobalt and copper. Another key raw material is criminally neglected: nickel. Due to its specific properties, the metal is of central importance in implementing the energy and transport revolution. Demand for the raw material will continue to increase in the foreseeable future, and sufficient supplies of the metal will become increasingly critical. This is the hour of (prospective) nickel producers. One of these companies, which is currently under the radar of most investors with a stock market value of around CAD 15 million, is Power Nickel. The Company is focused on a high-potential battery metal project in Canada. The gold-copper assets will be taken public in the next few months as a spin-off in a separate company. This sharpens the equity story and should give the share positive impetus. In the short term, important newsflow is expected from the current drilling program at the battery metal project. A new resource estimate announced for the second quarter could provide the impetus for a significantly higher valuation of the shares.
Since Russian troops invaded Ukraine, the world has changed fundamentally. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered for peace demonstrations across Europe over the weekend, but a solution to the conflict seems frighteningly distant. On the contrary, with the exclusion of Russian financial institutions from the SWIFT system and further sanctions, the situation threatens to worsen. To ensure Germany's security in the future, the German government plans to release a total of EUR 100 billion for the German armed forces in 2022 via a special fund for investments and defense projects. In addition, at least 2% of gross domestic product is to flow into defense each year with immediate effect. This news is tantamount to reassessment for the Rheinmetall defense group, which already posted record results in 2021.
In around 20 years, industry, mobility, electricity and heat generation are to be completely climate-neutral, and fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal are increasingly being replaced by renewable energies. In addition to wind and solar energy, policymakers are increasingly focusing on hydrogen as a source of energy. According to a study, experts such as the Hydrogen Council estimate that the invisible, odorless and non-toxic gas will have a market volume of USD 2.5 trillion by 2050. As a pioneer and leading manufacturer of fuel cells, NASDAQ-listed Plug Power aims to profit by building a comprehensive green hydrogen ecosystem that spans production, storage, delivery and power generation. The projections issued by management through 2025 sound euphoric. Yet some questions remain.
From an investor's point of view, 2022 is much more challenging than 2021. Inflation flared up noticeably last year. The dimension was still quite manageable for market participants and growth-oriented investors, as the capital market interest rate remained in a minus interest rate scenario shaped by the central banks until the fall of 2021. Now, however, the tide has turned: In January, the U.S. Federal Reserve was confronted with an inflation rate of 7.5%, the highest rate of price increases since 1982. The markets reacted with shock and sent the ten-year U.S. Treasury rate above the magic 2% mark. It is now becoming much more expensive for all those seeking capital, but those who are now smelling spring air are the banks because the interest margin that had been out of sight for almost a decade is returning. The original banking business is back, and for the industry leader Deutsche Bank it is like a comeback to the premier league.
The mobility revolution is in full swing. The future belongs to battery-powered vehicles. The sales figures for e-cars are rising sharply worldwide. So is the price for the all-important raw material lithium. With innovative approaches, Altech Advanced Materials AG could revolutionize the market for lithium-ion batteries. Conventional lithium-ion batteries already lose significant power during the first charging cycle. Altech uses an anode coating with high-purity aluminum oxide (HPA) and an enrichment of silicon. In this way, battery performance can be increased by more than 15%, and service life can be extended by as much as 30%. The Company is still a long way from bringing its products to market. The next stage is to set up a pilot production facility and demonstrate commercial and industrial production. If this succeeds, customers are likely to be knocking at the Company's doors. An analysis.
At the beginning of December last year, we took an in-depth look at the Canadian biotech company XPhyto Therapeutics. The in-depth report looked at the three divisions - Diagnostics, Innovative Dosage Forms and Psychedelics - and put the business in the context of the overall market. In the meantime, a lot has happened at XPhyto: the Company has published an update on the individual business areas and announced news around its activities in rapid PCR-quality corona tests. Reason enough for an update.
After years of hype, the prices of the best-known biotech shares have also fallen recently. The Canadian cancer hopeful Defence Therapeutics (ISIN: CA24463V1013) has also lost ground in recent months. Yet the Company is on a strong course. Defence Therapeutics has patented Accum™, a technology for drug conjugates, which it also uses for vaccinations. Two Phase 1 trials are scheduled to start against breast and skin cancer this year. In addition, Defence Therapeutics has another iron in the fire with a vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV). As Defence CEO Sébastien Plouffe points out, some major industry players are already showing interest in collaborations. An update.
The market correction for stocks related to electromobility, hydrogen and fuel cell technology continued to gain momentum in recent weeks. However, First Hydrogen (ISIN:CA32057N1042) was able to escape this. Since the publication of our initial report at the end of December '21, the share price has increased by around 63%. In addition to the positive share price performance, the Company has also shone on a fundamental level. For example, First Hydrogen is making good progress with the market launch of hydrogen filling stations. In addition, the quality of the management staff was significantly increased in order to achieve the targets.
Digitalization is one of the most important social and economic developments of our time. Companies face the challenge of rethinking business operations and processes with the help of existing digital technologies, such as the Internet of Things, blockchain or artificial intelligence, and in some cases implementing radically new processes. While many projects fail, the transition from the analog industrial age to knowledge and creativity shaped by digital technologies and digital innovations offers opportunities to establish new, highly scalable business models. In 2015, the former publishing house Aspermont started its digital transformation by building a unique platform technology. This transformation was completed last year. Since then, the expansion phase has been gaining momentum. The opportunities for the Australian company are enormous but have hardly been noticed by the market yet.
The Canadian gold explorer had an impressive start to the new year by reaching a milestone. The Company has one of the largest non-producing land areas in West Africa. Located in Mali, Africa's third-largest gold producer, the project has enormous development potential. The right course has been set. It is just a matter of when, not if, the Company will reevaluate. Furthermore, the Canadians are increasingly a potential takeover candidate.
Humanity is still caught up in the covid pandemic. The shares of vaccine manufacturers have skyrocketed. Despite great successes in combating the pandemic, there are also downsides. These are secondary damages, such as damage to the heart. This is where the Canadian company Cardiol Therapeutics comes in. The company is currently undergoing promising clinical trials with preparations based on cannabidiol that are intended to treat inflammatory heart disease. Recent research shows that cannabis ingredients can prevent infection with the Corona virus by blocking its entry into cells. This suggests that Cardiol’s preparations could have blockbuster potential. Analysts unanimously believe that the shares, which are also listed on the NASDAQ, have the potential to multiply.
wallstreet:online AG has presented an interim report for the past year. It clearly shows what already became clear in the Report 2021 a discrepancy in the company valuation compared to the peer group. The number of securities accounts and the assets under management could now be more than doubled compared to the previous year. According to the data, the company is the largest neobroker operator in Germany, with EUR 8.8 billion in assets under custody.
Hydrogen is the ultimate future topic and is not only revolutionizing the automotive industry. The topic is becoming explosive because e-mobility cannot solve all the problems of the future and cannot be used in many areas. With its specification, hydrogen is also reaching air, rail and shipping traffic and is thus coming more into the focus of science. Will it be the topic for 2022? The opportunity for investors is favorable as governments around the world declare climate protection budgets. Germany and France plan to jointly invest tens of billions in transforming their industries. Norwegian H2 specialist Nel ASA is one of the European pioneers in electrolyzer technology. But what are the opportunities for investors in 2022 after a 300% increase since 2018? A look at the overall market and specifically at the stock.
Achieving the energy transition is at the top of the political agenda, at least in Germany. One of the biggest challenges here is to achieve climate neutrality in the transport sector by 2045. After all, according to the Federal Environment Agency, the sector is responsible for around 20% of total greenhouse gas emissions. In contrast to the energy sector or industry, CO2 emissions have even increased since 1990 despite the development of more efficient vehicles. Therefore, significant changes are needed to reverse emissions growth and meet new mandates while meeting the increasing demand for mobility and freight. In the passenger vehicle sector, both the automotive industry and policymakers are focusing on battery technology. In contrast, hydrogen fuel cell technology offers clear advantages over electric propulsion for commercial vehicles, which are responsible for about 35% of transportation emissions. First Hydrogen aims to become the leading designer and manufacturer of zero-emission, long-range hydrogen-powered vehicles in the UK, EU and North America. The conditions for this are favorable. That is why we are taking a closer look at this exciting market.
Vaccines against cancer and improved transport of active substances into tumor cells - the Canadian biotech company Defence Therapeutics promises no less with its patented technology. In the next six months, Defence Therapeutics intends to prove that its vaccines are safe in Phase 1 trials. That finding could be a liberating blow for the company. Read our research to find out what else makes the biotech tick and why the stock is entering an exciting phase.
We are in the middle of the fourth Corona wave. Uncertainty about the effects of the new mutation Omicron recently weighed on the mood on the stock markets. Skeptical statements by Moderna's CEO on the controllability of the new variant are irritating, especially since BioNTech has an entirely different view of the situation. This uncertainty hit Valneva, a new Corona vaccine supplier looking to throw its hat into the ring, particularly hard. Shares in the French-Austrian biotech company lost significant ground after - at first glance - disappointing results on the suitability of their vaccine as a booster vaccine. Valneva's approach with so-called dead vaccines contrasts with vector or mRNA vaccines, which are currently exclusively used. Dead vaccines have been used in medicine for a long time (tetanus, pertussis, diphtheria, influenza vaccination) and are considered well-established. The new vaccine category could thus persuade vaccine skeptics to get vaccinated. Approval of the Valneva vaccine in the EU has been applied for, and initial orders have been received. The green light from the health authorities should come soon. US-based Novavax should be even quicker to market with a protein vaccine. What chances do the newcomers have? Are they the new top dogs?
Early-stage biotech companies rarely provide detailed insights into their universe. It is not surprising, as the market for diagnostics in the context of Covid-19, in particular, is highly competitive. The company featured here, XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. is reportedly preparing to take off in the coming weeks and months in not one but two of three business areas. Specifically, it is looking at precise and rapid PCR testing that does not require a traditional lab and promises results in 25 minutes. But it is also about testing methods for other typical diseases. Regarding medications, the provider presented here is working on procedures to improve their effect on patients and even produce them more cheaply. The following report on biotech summarizes which company XPhyto wants to catch up with in the long term and the market potential. An insight into a very dynamic market.
The shortage of critical metals could lead to a huge problem for high-tech industries. The leading producer for many industrial metals is China, as in the case of tungsten. Although the Middle Kingdom dominates the tungsten market and has numerous mines in operation, imports to China recently increased by a full 20% YOY. This is one of the best leading indicators for a new market scenario because, after all, China has controlled the market so far. Now the country even has to buy in the already empty international market. A demand overhang could not be clearer. Almonty Industries can cover an important share of global tungsten demand in the medium term.
For years, the climate and energy turnaround has determined events in the economy. Since the coalition agreement of the upcoming German government was presented, it has become clear that sustainability and renewable energy sources will become even more important in the future. Reason enough to take a closer look at the shares of wind turbine manufacturer Nordex. Can shareholders now hope for a significant boost in demand? What role do sluggish approval procedures play in operational progress on the German market? Which global markets are gaining in importance? How can we succeed in boosting the still relatively weak margins in times of raw material shortages? Answers to these and other questions are in the following article.
Stock market trading experienced a real boom in 2020 as a result of the Corona lockdowns. A new group of investors, primarily from "Generation Z", took a liking to buying and selling company shares. Rising customer and transaction numbers helped online brokers to achieve record sales and profits. The neobrokers in particular, which appeal to tech-savvy customers with simple trading via smartphone, have already achieved valuations in the billions in various capital rounds. In comparison, wallstreet:online AG with its Smartbroker lags significantly behind newcomers to the industry such as Trade Republic & Co. in terms of perception and valuation. And this, although the existing assets show a different picture. We take a look at the situation.
In view of high inflation, which is certain to continue, there are good opportunities for precious metal prices to rise in the medium term. As a rule, gold stocks exhibit a high sensitivity to gold price developments over longer periods. High-opportunity stocks are particularly rare. The Canadians presented here hold 45% in the Barsele Gold Project in Sweden. Even though a takeover failed for the time being, a closing can apparently be expected next year. That would lead to a rapid re-rating of the stock. The project currently has a 2019 resource estimate of 2.4 million ounces of gold combined with the potential to expand this to 3.5 million ounces in the near future. Analysts already attest to the stock's significant upside potential. The project size also makes the Canadians a takeover candidate. We look at the details.
Visionary technologies have a significant impact on how we will live and work in the future. Digitization is shaping our daily interactions with friends, partners and even family. In this context, the Corona pandemic acted as a catalyst for spatially independent working. Lockdown measures and the relocation of the workplace to the home created an entirely new situation for society. A new work situation that started with mobile working in the years before Corona has now experienced a significant acceleration. In addition to companies such as Zoom or Slack, TeamViewer also benefited with its comprehensive solution for remote access, remote control and remote maintenance. As a result of the rapid growth, the Göppingen-based software company invested massively in personnel and brand development. Now, the trend is slowing down, and TeamViewer is facing one of the most important phases in its fifteen-year company history. Our analysis.
Inflation is on everyone's lips. In addition, interest rates are low, so investors from the major economies of Europe and North America are currently suffering a loss of purchasing power of around 4% to 6% per year. A proven strategy for asset protection over a more extended period of time is to invest in tangible assets such as shares, real estate or precious metals. In addition to physical investments in gold, gold shares are also an option. With these, the precious metal price increase can usually be leveraged. This connection is especially true for exploration companies. Therefore, rising gold prices and an upcoming resource estimate are good reasons to take a closer look at Desert Gold Ventures. The Company could become a desirable takeover candidate in the future.
Is the world on the brink of a total transformation of all forms of energy generation to date? According to the statements made by the participants at the UN Climate Summit in Glasgow, Europe is currently of the opinion that CO2-generating fossil energy production will be significantly reduced in the near future. OPEC takes a completely different view, seeing the share of oil in the energy mix declining only marginally by 2045. And to top it all off, China is even building 200 new coal-fired power plants, thus pushing the EU's climate policy goals into the realm of fairy tales from Glasgow.
If you take a closer look, you will notice: Without Asia and the USA, there is no relief for the climate and this probably means an extension of the grandfathering for the 'black gold'. We take a closer look at the facts at hand.
After a brilliant rally last year, gold stocks are in correction mode this year. From a historical perspective, however, the current level of around USD 1,800 can be considered high. In the medium term, the prospects for rising precious metal prices look good. Decisive framework conditions are the low interest rate level, inflation, economic growth, the condition of the stock markets and the level of gold reserves or the long-term production outlook. We provide a deeper insight into the situation of Barrick Gold and the industry.
In ten years, electric cars are expected to compete with combustion engines not only in terms of range, but also in price. The hunt for new battery models has long been on. German companies are also involved. How far will the top dog from Germany manage to advance into the e-mobility segment and secure a significant share of the market? What is currently driving the company? Is the stock market valuation justified? A look at the present and the future, and in particular at the figures.