Brief Review: August 2026:

Through mid-August, the Euro AI Backbone saw a recovery. In mid-August, the wikifolio’s price came under pressure. Price drivers from the semiconductor and tech hardware sectors declined, in some cases significantly.

As of August 1, the certificate’s price stood at €91.81; on August 31, it closed at €90.71, representing a loss of 1.2%.

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At the start of the new month, the regular portfolio rebalancing will take place as follows.

• The weighting of the VAT Group
  $VACN (+2,85%) is reduced from 2.1% to 1.4%.
• The weighting of Enel
  $ENEL (+2,22%) will be reduced from 5.6% to 5.0%.
• The weighting of Geberit
  $GEBN (+0,3%) is being reduced from 1.3% to 0.7%.
• New addition Huber+Suhner
  $HUBN (+1,2%) at 2.1%.

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Background

VAT Group reduction / Fine-tuning in the semiconductor sector:

The position of the VAT Group will be reduced as part of the optimization of the semiconductor specialists (taking into account the existing position in Atlas Copco $ATCO B (+0,57%) ) in order to reduce concentration risk in vacuum technology.

Reduction in Enel:

For the major utilities, the reduction is intended to lock in profits and free up capital for highly specialized technology niches, while coverage of the core power grid holding remains stable.

Reduction in Geberit:

The weighting of Geberit is being adjusted to reflect its actual AI leverage (cooling water circuits/piping systems in data centers), ensuring that the physical data center infrastructure segment remains represented without tying up unnecessary capital.

Addition of Huber+Suhner:

In the Optical Interconnects and Passive Infrastructure segment, Huber+Suhner is a specialist in high-precision fiber-optic and connection technology within data centers. Huber+Suhner bridges the gap in optical signal transmission between AI servers, thereby complementing network equipment providers such as Nokia
$NOKIA (+1,49%) as well as cable giants such as Prysmian
$PRY (+3,03%) and NKT $NKT (+3,32%) .

P.S.: The Wikifolio will likely be granted "Investable" status later this month, and you'll be able to start investing in it at that time!

Hier geht es zum Euro AI Backbone-wikifolio

Since the wikifolio was created on June 18, a review will not take place until the end of July.

The first rebalancing will take place at the start of the second half of the year.

• The weighting of the VAT Group $VACN (+2,85%) will be reduced from 4.5% to 2.3%.
• The weighting of Nexans $NEX (+2,51%) will be reduced from 1.6% to 0.3%.
• New addition Alfa Laval $ALFA (+1,22%) at 1.7%.
• New addition: Atlas Copco $ATCO B (+0,57%) at 1.7%.

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Background

Reduction of VAT Group / Addition of Atlas Copco:

One of the goals of the Euro AI Backbone is to cover as much of the value chain as possible. While the VAT Group manufactures vacuum valves, this is now complemented by the global market leader in vacuum pumps.

Reduction in Nexans:

In the cable/infrastructure sector, in addition to Nexans, Prysmian $PRY (+3,03%) and NKT $NKT (+3,32%) are also represented. Prysmian, with its large operational scale, and NKT, with its deep roots in European network expansion, already cover a large portion of this sector.

Addition of Alfa Laval:

In the automation and data center cooling sector, Alfa Laval is the global market leader in thermal heat transfer, separation technology, and fluid control. Alfa Laval complements Siemens $SIE (+0,45%) , Schneider Electric’s $SU (+0,95%) and ABB $ABBN (+1,89%) , as well as RWE $RWE (+2,92%) , Iberdrola $IBE (+0,97%) and Enel $ENEL (+2,22%) .

Hier geht es zum Euro AI Backbone-wikifolio

P.S.: Almost there! The wikifolio has already been bookmarked seven times—just three more to go before the certificate can take the next step toward “Investable” in a few days.

Dear Community,

To kick off the week, I’d like to introduce you to my “Pick-and-Shovel” wikifolio “Euro AI Backbone” (in German: Backbone). More detailed information will follow; for now, this is just a rough overview.

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Background

The market’s focus is primarily on the U.S., while Europe often plays a more subordinate role. Yet recent years in particular have made it clear just how dependent Europe is on other countries such as the U.S., Russia, and China.

By the time the “Orange Man” began his second term, it had become clear:

Europe must become more independent —not only in the field of defense but also in the field of AI.

For nearly five years, Goldman Sachs has maintained an index called “EU AI Capex,” which consists of 64 European stocks. This served as the blueprint for my wikifolio.

The wikifolio was launched on June 18, 2026. For the wikifolio to receive “Investable” status, it needs, among other things, 10 bookmarks. So I’d really appreciate it if you could click “Add to Watchlist” on the wikifolio—thanks in advance.

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The “Pick-and-Shovel” Approach

The wikifolio aims to cover as much of the value chain for operating modern artificial intelligence as possible.

The focus here is primarily on five areas:

• The Shovels: Semiconductors and machinery (e.g., lithography systems, wafer deposition, chip assembly)
• The Gas: Electricity and energy generation (e.g., wind power, hydroelectric power, solar power plants)
• Highways: Networks and cables (e.g., transformers, high-voltage undersea cables, power grid infrastructure, transmission lines)
• The brain: Automation and data center cooling (e.g., liquid cooling, power distribution cabinets, data networks, control systems)
• The Physical Foundation: Construction, emergency power, and security (e.g., construction of the facilities, emergency power generators, cybersecurity)

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Investment Universe

The portfolio includes European large-, mid-, and small-cap stocks.

Focus: Technology (semiconductor equipment), utilities (electricity, grids), and industrials (automation, specialty cables, data center construction, cybersecurity).

The Core: European market leaders with global monopolies and competitive moats.

The Tech Specialists: Profitable second-tier suppliers as yield boosters.

The foundation: Energy producers, grid operators, and construction specialists for stable cash flows and risk hedging.

Regular rebalancing, which typically takes place at the beginning of each month, prevents concentration risk. While the foundation remains unchanged, the weightings of individual securities may be adjusted. The replacement of individual stocks, the addition of new stocks, or the exclusion of individual stocks can also take place at the beginning of the month.

Initially, the portfolio consists of 37 stocks. There is no cash reserve.

The current allocation of holdings is as follows:

By sector:

• Industrial: 44%
• Utilities: 29%
• Technology: 26%
• Consumer Discretionary: 1%

By country:

• Germany: 24%
• United Kingdom: 14%
• Switzerland: 13%
• Netherlands: 12%
• France: 12%
• Spain: 10%
• Italy: 9%
• Denmark: 2%
• Finland: 2%
• Austria: 2%

Investments are made exclusively in European stocks. None ETFs, no investment certificates, no funds, no leveraged products.

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Initial Holdings

At the start, the portfolio comprises the following 37 securities, sorted by their current weighting:

Infineon $IFX (+1,07%) , ASML Holding $ASML (+1,05%) , Siemens $SIE (+0,45%) , Enel $ENEL (+2,22%) , Rolls-Royce $RR. (+1,02%) , Schneider Electric $SU (+0,95%) , Iberdrola $IBE (+0,97%) , ABB $ABBN (+1,89%) , VAT Group $VACN (+2,85%) , Siemens Energy $ENR (+3,14%) , Prysmian $PRY (+3,03%) , ASM International $ASM (+3,06%) , BE Semiconductor Industries $BESI (+1,2%) , STMicroelectronics $STM (+2,4%) , RWE $RWE (+2,92%) , E.ON $EOAN (+1,56%) , Legrand $LR (+1,56%) , National Grid $NG. (+1,78%) , Nokia $NOKIA (+1,49%) , SSE $SSE (+2,36%) , EDP Renovaveis $EDPR (+1,71%) , Hochtief $HOT (+3%) , Red Eléctrica de España $RED (+1,35%) , Nexans $NEX (+2,51%) , United Utilities $UUGRY (+2,24%) , Enagas $ENG (+1,71%) , Centric $CENTR , Spirax-Sarco Engineering $SPX (+0,62%) , Soitex $SOI (+13,2%) , Geberit $GEBN (+0,3%) , Aixtron $AIXA (+2,29%) , Orsted $ORSTED (+3,32%) , Verbund $VER (+2,54%) , SAFRAN $SAF (+0,46%) , Thales $THALES (-0,55%) , NKT $NKT (+3,32%) , Andritz $ANDR (+0,97%)

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Holding Period

Since infrastructure development is likely to continue for several more years, the holding period is clearly geared toward the long term. Short-term trading is avoided.

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Sources of Information

The following sources of information are primarily used to identify stocks:

Companies’ quarterly reports and financial statements.

Analyst reports and industry studies from global investment banks.

Business media and financial publications.

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I’m curious to see how the portfolio will perform over the long term. Monthly updates will keep you informed.

Hier geht es zum Euro AI Backbone-wikifolio

Dear Community,

Throughout last year, I found myself repeatedly wanting to focus on the European market as well. But the same old arguments kept dissuading me: The European market doesn’t deliver; Europe doesn’t meet my desire for a growth-oriented, high-yield portfolio, etc.

I also asked myself: Which sectors and industries do I want to cover? Where do I see enough potential to justify taking the risk? To what extent do I want to align my portfolio with this strategy?

In today’s episode, Alles auf Aktien: Fiese Gewinnwarnung bei BMW und Europas KI-Unabhängigkeitsaktien , something caught my attention:

A basket from Goldman Sachs, consisting of 64 European stocks, with the wonderful name: EU AI Capex.

Performance over the past five years: 17.5 percent annualized, including dividends.

_________________________

And which industries are covered?

• Semiconductors
• Machinery
• Electricity
• Networks
• Cables
• Energy
• Automation

Unfortunately, existing ETFs such as the iShares STOXX Europe 600 Utilities UCITS ETF or the iShares STOXX Europe 600 Technology UCITS ETF do not cover all of these sectors.

"Sounds exactly like what I was looking for," I thought to myself, and used my day off today to create an index tailored to my preferences.

Goldman Sachs has listed 12 of the 64 holdings, including their percentage allocations. The remaining 52 holdings appear to be known only to institutional investors, as the index isn’t publicly available.

So I created my own “Pie” through Trading 212. More specifically, a “Pie” is a personalized investment portfolio in which I can invest in multiple stocks and ETFs according to a percentage allocation I set myself and save toward them simultaneously via a single automated savings plan—with no expense ratio and no order fees.

It would go beyond the scope of this post to write about every individual security, which is why I chose this particular one. I didn’t make these decisions entirely on my own. Gemini helped me with this. In the end, we settled on 37 securities.

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On Selecting the Holdings

Together, we gradually added European market leaders across the entire value chain. We always kept an eye on the sectors—none should be left out.

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On the Percentage Allocation

It’s important to note upfront that the “pie” will be funded with 150 euros per month going forward. Since the minimum investment amount at Trading 212 is one euro, the smallest weighting in the “pie” must be at least 0.7%:

1.00 euro / 0.70% = 142.85 euro

The percentage allocation was then based on pricing power and global scalability.

More details on this may follow in a later post.

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About the Stocks

From EU AI Cortex Basket taken over by Goldman Sachs:

• Infineon ($IFX (+1,07%)): 7.10%
• ASML ($ASML (+1,05%)): 6.80%
• Siemens ($SIE (+0,45%)): 6.00%
• Rolls-Royce ($RR. (+1,02%)): 5.40%
• Enel ($ENEL (+2,22%)): 5.40%
• Schneider Electric ($SU (+0,95%)): 5.40%
• ABB ($ABBN (+1,89%)): 5.00%
• Iberdrola ($IBE (+0,97%)): 4.90%
• Siemens Energy ($ENR (+3,14%)): 4.70%
• ASM International ($ASM (+3,06%)): 3.70%
• Prysmian ($PRY (+3,03%)): 3.60%
• BE Semiconductor ($BESI (+1,2%)): 3.20%

Supplemented by the following stocks:

• VAT Group ($VACN (+2,85%)): 4.50%
• STMicroelectronics ($STM (+2,4%)): 2.50%
• Legrand ($LR (+1,56%)): 2.00%
• RWE ($RWE (+2,92%)): 1.95%
• Nokia ($NOKIA (+1,49%)): 1.90%
• E.ON ($EOAN (+1,56%)): 1.90%
• National Grid ($NG. (+1,78%)): 1.80%
• SSE plc ($SSE (+2,36%)): 1.70%
• EDP Renováveis ($EDPR (+1,71%)): 1.60%
• Red Eléctrica ($RDEIY (+1,36%)): 1.50%
• Nexans ($NEX (+2,51%)): 1.50%
• Hochtief ($HOT (+3%)): 1.50%
• Enagás ($ENG (+1,71%)): 1.40%
• United Utilities ($UU. (+1,62%)): 1.40%
• Spirax-Sarco ($SPX (+0,62%)): 1.30%
• Centrica ($CNA (+2,29%)): 1.30%
• Aixtron ($AIXA (+2,29%)): 1.30%
• Orsted ($ORSTED (+3,32%)): 1.15%
• Verbund AG ($VER (+2,54%)): 1.10%
• Soitec ($SOI (+13,2%)): 1.10%
• Safran ($SAF (+0,46%)): 1.00%
• Thales ($HO (+0,37%)): 1.00%
• Geberit ($GEBN (+0,3%)): 0.90%
• NKT A/S ($NKT (+3,32%)): 0.80%
• Andritz ($ANDR (+0,97%)): 0.70%

The figures $IG (+2,25%) , $SRG (+0,71%) , $TRN (+0,18%) , $ALFA (+1,22%) , $ATCO B (+0,57%) or $AEMMY can unfortunately only be traded via CFDs on Trading 212. Therefore, these securities could not be included.

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Trading 212 Pie

The Pie now accounts for about 10% of my portfolio, and I’ll be contributing 150 euros to it each month going forward.

I am convinced that Europe will succeed in becoming more independent. However, in my opinion, a self-sufficient Europe without any dependence whatsoever is simply not possible (keyword: globalization).

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Pie Composition

By country:

• Germany: 24.35%
• France: 15.4%
• Netherlands: 13.7%
• United Kingdom: 12.9%
• Switzerland: 10.4%
• Italy: 9%
• Spain: 7.8%
• Denmark: 1.95%
• Austria: 1.8%
• Portugal: 1.6%

By sector:

• Technology: 32.3%
• Industrial & Capital Goods: 31.5%
• Utilities & Energy Infrastructure: 36.2%

By industry:

• Semiconductors & Data Center Chips: 27.8%
• Energy Equipment & Grid Technology: 25.5%
• Electricity Generators: 16.1%
• Physical Networks & Storage: 10.1%
• Cable Infrastructure: 5.9%
• Vacuum Technology & Components: 6.5%
• Network Technology & Connectivity: 1.9%
• Data Centers & Industrial Construction: 3.1%
• Cyber and Perimeter Security: 3.1%

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I’m curious to see how the pie chart will develop.

P.S.: You can find the pie chart on Trading 212 under the name Euro AI Backbone GS to copy.

Transportation

Utilities

Social affairs

Digital

Future needs until 2040

Private Markets Infrastructure

Modernization

Infrastructure programs

Link: https://shorturl.at/maYS2

$IFX (+1,07%)
$NDA (+0,4%)
$ENR (+3,14%)
$SIE (+0,45%)
$DEZ (-4,12%)
$TKA (+0,71%)
$CBK (-2,39%)
$NKT (+3,32%)
$DHL (-0,07%)
$NEM (-0,46%)
$BZU (+1,14%)
$DBK (+0,43%)
$SPIE (+1,34%)
$ELI (+1,88%)
$GBF (+0,7%)

Dear Community,

Now that we have covered and examined the energy source (nuclear) and the form of energy (industrial heat), the next logical step is energy transmission and control. The topic that is completely under the radar in most considerations but is absolutely critical to the AI and energy transition is: "HVDC & Grid-Edge-Intelligence - The New Silk Road of Electricity".

Why is this underrepresented?

Investors often buy copper mines (because of the power lines) or traditional utilities. However, hardly anyone talks about high-voltage direct current transmission (HVDC) and software control at the end points of the grid. The problem is that we often produce electricity where no one needs it (offshore wind farms, desert solar) and consume it where there is no room for power plants (AI data centers, megacities). Conventional alternating current loses too much energy over long distances. HVDC is the solution - and only a handful of companies worldwide have mastered this technology.

1. the hardware giants of the "electricity highways" (HVDC)

Prysmian ($PRY (+3,03%) )

The Italian world market leader is the backbone of global networking. They are masters of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission - the only technology for transporting electricity over thousands of kilometers almost loss-free. Prysmian is a global manufacturer of cables and systems for energy transmission, distribution and telecommunications. The company develops, produces and supplies high- and low-voltage cables, submarine cables and fiber optic systems for grids and industrial applications.

• Customers & sales: Customers are energy suppliers, project developers, construction and industrial companies as well as telecommunications providers. The business model combines large-scale projects with series production and includes engineering, installation and after-sales services.

• Revenue model: Revenue is generated through product and system sales, project-based turnkey contracts, service and maintenance agreements and long-term supply contracts. Differentiation is achieved through R&D (research & development), specialized technologies and a global logistics network.

• Strategy: Prysmian's strategic focus is on infrastructure projects, grid electrification, digitalization and sustainable solutions to support the energy transition.

• Current situation: The company generates record sales (approx. €18-20 billion) through major projects such as the German "SuedLink" or offshore wind connections. Its lead lies in 525 kV technology.

• Opportunities: An order backlog that extends until 2028/2029 provides enormous planning security. Analysts see further potential in 2026, as the demand for submarine cables for interconnectors is growing at a double-digit rate.

• Risks: High capital commitment and dependence on commodity prices for copper and aluminum.

NKT A/S ($NKT (+3,32%) )

A Danish cable specialist that is considered a "pure play" in network expansion.

• Core business & offering: NKT develops, manufactures and supplies high-voltage cables and complete cable systems for the transmission of electrical energy - both onshore and submarine cables for grid connections and offshore wind farms. The range includes engineering, production, cable accessories, testing, logistics and turnkey project management including cable laying and commissioning.

• Markets & revenue model: The main customers are grid operators, energy suppliers and renewable energy developers. Revenue is generated from project-based contracts and long-term service and maintenance agreements. Differentiation is achieved through technical expertise, vertical integration and life cycle services. NKT also focuses on digitalization for monitoring as well as material and energy efficiency.

• Business model focus: NKT concentrates purely on high-voltage solutions. As global production capacities for these cables are extremely scarce, NKT has exceptional pricing power.

• Opportunities: The company is benefiting massively from the EU grid expansion plan. Price targets for 2026 are in some cases 20-25% above the current level.

• Risks: Project risks when laying cables in the sea can lead to expensive delays.

2. intelligence at the edge of the grid (Grid-Edge & Infrastructure)

Hubbell Inc. ($HUBB (+1,08%) )

Hubbell is the secret king of US infrastructure. They make everything you need to physically connect data centers and renewables (insulators, switches, poles). Hubbell is an industrial manufacturer that designs, produces and distributes electrical and electronic products for residential, commercial, industrial and utility applications. The product portfolio ranges from plug-in and connection solutions to components for high-voltage grids.

• Business model: Revenue is generated through the sale of hardware and related components to electrical companies, construction and industrial customers via direct sales, distributors and OEM partnerships (original equipment manufacturers). Supplementary services and after-sales support strengthen customer loyalty. Product development, manufacturing and an international production and sales network are core activities.

• Leverage: The "US Infrastructure Act" means that billions flow into their products. With software solutions such as Aclara360, they are also digitizing the end points of the grid (grid edge).

• Growth & strategy: Focus on technological progress, targeted acquisitions to expand the product range and positioning in grid modernization drive organic growth; operational efficiency and market-oriented innovations support returns.

• Opportunities: High pricing power and a very defensive customer base (US utilities).

• Risks: Focus on North America makes it vulnerable to local economic downturns.

Eaton ($ETN (+1,58%) )

Eaton is the specialist for power management in data centers. They ensure that the power peaks from AI servers (AI power bursting) do not burst the local network.

• Core activity: Eaton develops and sells solutions for the efficient, safe and reliable distribution, control and storage of electrical, hydraulic and mechanical energy. The portfolio includes switchgear, protection and control devices, power distribution and energy storage systems as well as components for the aviation industry.

• Revenue model: The model combines product sales, system integration, engineering services, after-sales services and software platforms for utilities, industry, data centers and transportation. Revenues are generated from product sales, project-related integrations, recurring service contracts and software licenses.

• Focus: They are driving the shift from AC (alternating current) to DC (direct current) within data centers, which dramatically increases efficiency. Research, acquisitions and partnerships strengthen technological differentiation.

• Opportunities: Eaton is at the center of the AI boom. Anyone who wants to build data centers cannot ignore its hardware.

• Risks: The share is no longer a bargain in 2026; expectations are high.

3. software & virtual power plants

Schneider Electric ($SU (+0,95%) )

Schneider is no longer a simple industrial group, but a software giant. The company is a global provider of energy management and automation and integrates hardware, software and services.

• Offering: The offerings cover electrical distribution, building automation, industrial and data center systems. Sales are conducted via direct business, a global partner network and certified integrators.

• Digital model: With digital platforms and connected IoT solutions, Schneider delivers analytics, remote monitoring and subscription services, generating recurring software and service revenue. Through their platforms, they control millions of decentralized endpoints and integrate AI directly into the hardware (edge computing) to autonomously balance the network.

• Service & retention: Supplementary services such as consulting, installation, maintenance and lifecycle management promote energy efficiency and sustainability and secure long-term customer relationships.

• Opportunities: Market leader in the digitalization of the energy world ("Electricity 4.0").

• Risks: Geopolitical tensions can disrupt the global supply chains for its components.

Stem Inc. ($STEM (-0,35%) )

A more speculative look into the future: Stem uses the Athena AI platform to manage battery storage systems in a profit-optimized way.

• Business model: transition from pure battery vendor to high-margin software provider (SaaS).

• Opportunities: When electricity prices become more volatile due to renewables (negative prices), Stem earns money through smart storage management.

• Risks: The company is still in the phase of proving lasting profitability - a classic growth stock with high volatility.

Strategic conclusion: Another physical frontier of digitalization

Looking at the analyses of recent weeks, one thing becomes clear: energy generation (nuclear power) and energy use (industrial heat/AI) are only worth as much as the network that connects them. The companies presented here are the "toll booths" on the electricity highways of the future.

While software scaling is almost infinite, the hardware world is reaching its physical limits. The massive investment backlog in global power grids and the immense hunger of AI data centers make these infrastructure assets the real gatekeepers of transformation. Investing in HVDC cables, smart transformers and grid software is not betting on the next short-lived trend, but on the indispensable foundation of our modern civilization. The valuation of some stocks may seem high by historical standards, but we are only at the beginning of a decade in which the physical networking becomes the most valuable asset of the global economy.

My favorites: Focus on growth & bottlenecks

Many of you ask which companies I would personally invest in. If I look at the list through the growth perspective two names stand out in particular: Eaton and NKT A/S. Here is the reason for my choice:

1. Eaton ($ETN (+1,58%) ): The accelerator of AI infrastructure

For me, Eaton is currently the company with the strongest momentum in the data center sector.

• Growth levers: While the traditional industrial business is solid, demand in the AI sector is exploding. AI servers require a completely new electrical architecture - from higher power density to direct cooling and DC integration.

• The potential: Eaton is massively expanding its capacity and can push through exceptionally high margins due to the enormous urgency in building new AI hubs. If you are betting on the physical foundation of the AI turnaround, this is where you will find the highest operational potential. It would be my "base investment" for stable excellence in the data center market.

2. NKT A/S ($NKT (+3,32%) ): The "pure play" bottleneck

Compared to industry giant Prysmian, NKT is smaller, more focused and therefore much more agile - an ideal scenario for growth investors.

• Growth leverage: We are experiencing an extreme shortage of high-voltage cables worldwide. As a "pure play", NKT is concentrating precisely on this segment and is massively expanding its capacities (e.g. through new factory towers in Germany and Sweden) in order to work off the huge mountain of orders.

• The potential: The market for HVDC cables is an oligopoly of only 3-4 serious players worldwide. Almost every additional euro of demand flows directly into the profit margin. Although growth is capped by physical production, the predictability of double-digit growth is extremely high due to the massive demand overhang.

I would therefore point to a combination of physical necessity and technological bottleneck and technological bottleneck: Eaton secures the power supply of the AI data centers, while NKT supplies the indispensable hardware for the global power highways. Two companies that not only benefit from the trend, but make it possible in the first place.

So I pass the question on to you: have we underestimated the physical effort of the energy transition so far? If we have to build electricity highways across continents and oceans, who do you think are the absolute basic investments that will be essential if we want to keep the lights on in 2030? I look forward to your comments and strategies!

Best regards ✌🏼

Anderlé

I have been waiting for ages for a real setback at $CENER (-0,72%) but it didn't really want to come. Now I'm going to place three tranches, the first today at a fairly high price. But I really want to be invested in this segment.

Many people probably know the $PRY (+3,03%) or $NKT (+3,32%) - Similar to these companies, the Belgian company Cenergy is involved in infrastructure expansion.

- Hellenic Cables (cables):

Production of onshore and offshore power cables as well as fiber optic cables.

Focus: Particularly strong in the area of submarine cables for connecting offshore wind farms and the global expansion of power grids.

Customers here are primarily large grid operators and energy companies:

Northern Europe & North Sea:

Germany (Amprion, TenneT, 50Hertz), Great Britain (SSE),

Denmark (Orsted, Energinet) and Belgium (Elia).

These are mostly offshore wind farms.

USA: This is a rapidly growing market. Cenergy is currently building its own plant in Baltimore (Maryland) to serve projects such as the Dominion Energy wind farm off the US coast.

Southern Europe: Primarily Greece (IPTO / ADMIE) for the interconnection of the Greek islands.

- Corinth Pipeworks (steel pipes):

What they do: Manufacture high-quality steel pipes for energy transportation.

Focus: Pipelines for natural gas, oil and increasingly also for the transportation of hydrogen as well as for CO2 capture and storage projects (CCS).

Here, customers come from the gas, oil and hydrogen infrastructure sector:

USA & America: large US energy companies such as Chevron (Gulf of Mexico) and ExxonMobil (projects in Guyana).

We are also active in South America (e.g. Argentina for Vaca Muerta).

Europe: Important European transmission system operators such as Snam (Italy), Gasunie (Netherlands/Germany) and Enagás (Spain). Many of these orders are for "H2-ready" pipelines (suitable for hydrogen).

Australia & Middle East: Here, the company regularly supplies pipelines for complex onshore and offshore projects.

Cenergy has managed to significantly increase profitability:

Net margin: this has increased from around 1.5% (2022) to an impressive ~7.7% (2024). For the first nine months of 2025, net profit was even up 47% on the previous year, indicating a further margin expansion.

EBITDA margin: Adjusted EBITDA was most recently (9M 2025) around 17%.

The reason for this is the project mix:

Cenergy focuses on highly complex projects (e.g. interconnectors in the deep sea) where there is less competition and higher prices.

Economies of scale: Factories are working to capacity (order backlog of €3.3 billion), which reduces fixed costs per unit.

Debt is also very well under control despite the growth expenditure.

I hereby hope that the share price will soon grant me my second tranche...

Have fun with your research!

Good morning, dear getquin community.

I've been looking closely at the CSP hybrid ecosystem from China recently and heard an interesting contribution from futurologist Lars Thomsen. Today I would like to tell you why I think this system is one of the most exciting energy projects of the coming years. I don't want to withhold the results of this research from you.

Before we get into the topic, a quick word about the last post.

Thank you for your strong interaction, support, likes and participation. It was good to see that so many of you sent a clear signal to getquin to finally get things moving. It was just as nice to see that it @Tenbagger2024 motivated you to carry on and give new impetus. It's moments like this that keep the community together.

Speaking of momentum.

Today I'm giving you a new one. Because what is currently being built in China is more than just an energy project. It is a blueprint for an infrastructure that, in my eyes, puts coal and nuclear power plants in the shade.

Before we start, a quick note. I already wrote a first post on this topic. I'm now building on this, but in a much more comprehensive, clearly structured way and with more details so that the connections are easier for you to grasp.

I also @SAUgut777 had already addressed the topic back then, so I would like to mention him here as well. I'm including the link to my earlier article, China is reshaping the sun and Energy 4.0 Part 1. https://getqu.in/OIMCfh/
https://getqu.in/G4f1Tk/

The global energy transition will not be won by individual technologies but by integrative systems that have to fulfill two decisive factors: Scalability and base load capability . What we are currently seeing in China is the construction of the most modern energy infrastructure that radically solves the decades-old problem of solar and wind volatility. Not with wind turbines and solar panels alone, but with a system that supplies base load, integrates storage and enables scaling. The centerpiece is the CSP Hybrid Ecosystemin which solar thermal energy, photovoltaics and gigantic battery storage units are combined to create a continuous 24/7 power source power source.

Technically explained: The new paradigm is the CSP hybrid ecosystem. It combines the rapidly erected photovoltaic (PV) fields with the thermal storage of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants and complements both with massive Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). This intelligent coupling provides stable electricity 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and makes the system a direct and superior competitor to coal and nuclear power.

How the system works

1. mirrors collect sunlight

The surface at the bottom left consists of many movable mirrors (heliostats, point 1).

They are constantly aligned with the sun and focus the light onto the top of the tower (reflected sunlight, point 2).

2. the tower heats a heat medium

The solar oven (3) is located at the top of the tower.

There, the concentrated light hits a system of pipes through which a heat-conducting fluid runs (typically molten salts or oil).

This fluid becomes extremely hot, often several hundred degrees (4).

3. heat is converted into vapor

At the bottom of the building, the hot fluid transfers its energy to water in the steam generator (6), turning it into steam under high pressure (7). Pumps (5) keep the cycle going: hot fluid → cooled fluid → back up into the tower.

4. turbine and generator produce electricity

The pressurized steam drives a turbine (8). The turbine is connected to a generator (10), which converts the mechanical energy into electricity.

5. steam is liquefied again

The steam then enters the condenser (9), cools down and becomes water again. Then it goes back into the steam generator.

6. feed into the power grid

The electricity is brought to a higher voltage via a transformer (11) and fed into the grid via the high-voltage lines (12).

The gigawatt comparison and the true added value. A modern nuclear power plant constantly supplies around 1 GW to 1.6 GW of power. This output is continuous but extremely expensive, inflexible and ties up capital for over a decade. A CSP hybrid park in the Chinese desert can achieve a peak output of 5 GW. However, the real added value is the guaranteed base load capacity of 1 GW to 3 GW that can be called up 24/7 thanks to integrated thermal storage and batteries. This intelligent coupling provides stable electricity and makes the plant a direct and superior competitor to coal and nuclear power. This is the disruptive difference: the new generation delivers the same necessary base load but with much higher capital efficiency and 10 years shorter construction time. This makes nuclear power plants an outdated investment model.

The economic key lies in China Speed. It takes ten to 15 years for a nuclear power plant to produce any electricity at all. The Chinese mega bases reach base load capability in 18 to 24 months. This rapid time to market reduces capital costs and raises profitability to a level that is unattainable for traditional power generation.

🌍 Globalization of the Sun Belt: 8 investment pillars

China is exporting the hybrid model to the entire global sunbelt. MENA, North Africa, South America, Australia and Central Asia are among the new core markets. The pipeline is growing every year. The investment opportunities lie in the 8 fundamental pillars that make this infrastructure possible:

1. optics and mirror technology - These companies provide the optical basis for every CSP park

Big players

$SGO (-0,39%) Saint-Gobain (EPA: SGO) - France - World leader in specialty glass and high-tech materials. Supplies glass solutions and coatings for heliostats and CSP mirror systems.

Schott AG - Germany, private - Specialty glass and receiver tubes for many of the existing CSP plants. Key role in collector efficiency and lifetime.

Hidden champions

Rioglass Solar - Spain, private - Market leader for curved mirrors and receiver components especially for CSP parks. Strong in projects in Spain, MENA and Latin America.

Flabeg FE - Germany, private - High-precision mirrors for solar thermal energy. Supplies optics that directly determine the efficiency of power plants.

$000012 CSG Holding - China, Shenzhen - Large Chinese glass manufacturer with a growing focus on solar and CSP glass products.

2. storage chemistry and thermal media - They supply the chemical storage media for molten salt storage and heat transfer

Big player

$NTR (-0,76%) Nutrien (NYSE: NTR / TSX: NTR) - Canada - One of the largest fertilizer and nitrate suppliers in the world. Supplies nitrates for thermal storage and molten salt mixtures.

$YAR (+1,65%) Yara International (OSE: YAR) - Norway - Global fertilizer company. Produces nitrates and nitrogen chemicals that can be used in molten salt storage facilities.

$OCI (+0,56%) OCI N.V. (AMS: OCI) - Netherlands - Produces hydrogen and natural gas-based products, including nitrogen chemicals for thermal storage solutions.

Hidden Champions

$SQM (+1%) Sociedad Química y Minera (NYSE: SQM) - Chile - Lithium and specialty chemicals producer. Supplies lithium and nitrate salts for battery and thermal storage.

$MIN (+0,01%) Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) - Australia - Combines lithium mining and processing. Important for lithium-based storage chains.

$SOLB (+0,54%) Solvay (EBR: SOLB) - Belgium - Specialty chemicals and heat transfer fluids, relevant for CSP and storage applications.

3. battery and energy storage systems (BESS) - The combination of BESS and thermal storage is the real 24/7 engine of CSP parks

Big player

$3750 (-2,9%) CATL - China - World market leader for EV batteries and large-scale storage. Supplies complete BESS systems for grids and CSP hybrid parks.

$1211 (-0,25%) BYD Co Ltd - China - Integrated battery and system provider. Provides energy storage systems for industrial and utility-scale applications.

$373220 LG Energy Solution (KRX: 373220) - South Korea - Global cell supplier with a strong focus on high-performance cells for e-mobility and stationary storage.

$SMSN (+2,8%) Samsung SDI (KRX: 006400) - South Korea - Premium cells and modular storage solutions for grid and industrial applications.

Hidden Champions

$FLNC (-0,37%) Fluence Energy (NASDAQ: FLNC) - USA - Joint venture between Siemens Energy and AES. Market leader in turnkey large-scale storage projects and operating software.

Powin Energy - USA, private - System integrator for utility-scale storage with a strong presence in North America and Asia.

$300274 Sungrow Power Supply (SZSE: 300274) - China - Well-known for inverters, growing strongly in the area of integrated BESS solutions for large-scale projects.

4. HVDC, cables and power transmission - HVDC turns desert power into exportable base load power

Big player

$HTHIY (+3,75%) Hitachi Energy - Switzerland / Japan, part of the Hitachi Group $HTHIY - World leader in HVDC converters, substations and grid control.

$PRY (+3,03%) Prysmian (BIT: PRY) - Italy - Largest manufacturer of high-voltage cables and submarine cables, central role in European HVDC projects.

$NEX (+2,51%) Nexans (EPA: NEX) - France - Specialized in power and submarine cables, important for long-distance transmission of desert electricity to Europe.

$ABBN (+1,89%) ABB (SWX: ABBN) - Switzerland - HVDC converters, switchgear and grid automation for large-scale projects.

Hidden Champions

$NKT (+3,32%) NKT A/S (CPH: NKT) - Denmark - Cable specialist with a focus on high-voltage and offshore wind connections.

Taihan - South Korea, private - Major Asian manufacturer of high-voltage cables with a growing export share.

$ANA (+2,02%) Acciona (BME: ANA) - Spain - Not only EPC, but also active in grid connections and infrastructure for large-scale renewable projects.

5. hydrogen and Power-to-X - Surplus electricity from hybrid parks is processed into green hydrogen

Big player

$LIN (+0,35%) Linde plc (NASDAQ: LIN) - Ireland / global - The world's largest industrial gases group. Plans, builds and operates large-scale electrolysis and liquefaction plants for green hydrogen.

$NCH2 (+1,86%) thyssenkrupp nucera (XETRA: NCH2) - Germany - Specialist for multi-gigawatt scale alkaline electrolyzers, key supplier for industrial H2 projects.

$NEL (-0,95%) Nel ASA (OSE: NEL) - Norway - Pure hydrogen player with focus on electrolyzers and H2 tank infrastructure.

Hidden Champions

$PLUG (-0,81%) Plug Power (NASDAQ: PLUG) - USA - PEM electrolysis, fuel cells and H2 infrastructure, increasingly involved in large-scale projects.

$BE (+4,44%) Bloom Energy (NYSE: BE) - USA - Develops higher efficiency solid oxide electrolyzers for industrial H2 generation.

$ITM (+3,56%) ITM Power (LSE: ITM) - United Kingdom - Focused on utility-scale PEM electrolysis, strong in European project business.

$HPUR (-0,42%) Hexagon Purus (OSL: HPUR) - Norway - Specialist in high-pressure tanks and transportation solutions for compressed hydrogen.

6. EPC, engineering and construction - These companies enable construction in less than two years

Big players

$601669 Power Construction Corporation of China (SSE: 601669) - China - One of the largest engineering and construction groups in the world. Builds dams, large-scale PV and CSP plants, including grid connection.

$601727 Shanghai Electric Group (SSE: 601727) - China - Full-service provider for CSP, turbines, storage integration and EPC services.

$ANA (+2,02%) Acciona (BME: ANA) - Spain - Global EPC player for solar, wind and CSP, strong in MENA and Latin America.

Hidden champions

SEPCO III - China, private - Highly specialized EPC for large power plants and CSP projects, often partner in Saudi Arabia and North Africa.

$WOR (+2,97%) Worley Limited (ASX: WOR) - Australia - Engineering and project services provider for energy infrastructure, including hybrid and storage projects.

$3996 (+0%) China Energy Engineering Corp (HKEX: 3996) - China - Large state-owned EPC group, active in the development of solar and grid projects in Asia, Africa and MENA.

7. turbines and power plant technology - CSP Hybrid is ultimately based on modern thermal power technology, only climate neutral

Big player

$ENR (+3,14%) Siemens Energy (XETRA: ENR) - Germany - Turbines, generators, switchgear and grid solutions. Core supplier for the thermal side of CSP hybrids.

$GE (+3,1%) General Electric (NYSE: GE) - USA - Steam turbines and power plant technology used directly in hybrid farms and thermal storage systems.

Hidden champions

$1072 (+0,55%) Dongfang Electric (HKEX: 1072) - China - Major turbine and power plant equipment supplier, strong in domestic market and MENA project.

$1133 (-0,32%) Harbin Electric (HKEX: 1133) - China - Manufacturer of turbines, generators and power plant components, active in large-scale conventional and renewable power plants.

8. blade manufacturers and construction materials for CSP hybrid parks

8.1 Construction and mining equipment

Big Player

$CAT (+0,79%) Caterpillar (USA, NYSE: CAT) - World's largest manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, dozers, excavators, dump trucks, generators. Provides heavy equipment for earthmoving, foundation construction and park infrastructure.

$6301 (+1,61%) Komatsu (Japan, TSE: 6301) - Number two worldwide in construction and mining equipment. Excavators, wheel loaders, large dump trucks and special machines used in desert projects and large construction sites.

$SAND (+0,97%) Sandvik (Sweden, OMX: SAND) - Drilling technology, rock processing, wear parts. Important for foundation construction, cable routes and the raw materials side of the value chain.

$EPI A (+1,8%) Epiroc (Sweden, OMX: EPI A) - Drilling rigs and underground equipment, wherever CSP infrastructure is built on difficult terrain.

Hidden champions

$6305 (+3,26%) Hitachi Construction Machinery (Japan, TSE: 6305) - Strong presence in Asia and MENA, large excavators and wheel loaders for deserts and large construction sites.

$DE (-1,38%) Wirtgen Group / John Deere $DE (USA) - Road construction, milling, compaction. Benefit from the expansion of access roads, platforms and logistics around CSP parks.

8.2 Steel, tubes and sections

Big player

$MT (+1,89%) ArcelorMittal (Luxembourg, NYSE: MT) - Global steel group with flat and long products. Supplies beams, sections and structural steel for tower structures, racks and infrastructure.

$5401 (+1,32%) Nippon Steel (Japan, TSE: 5401) - High-quality steel for energy and infrastructure applications, including heat-resistant steels.

$TEN (+0,57%) Tenaris (Luxembourg/Argentina, NYSE: TS) - Leading manufacturer of seamless steel tubes for energy, pipelines and high-pressure systems. Relevant for heat exchanger circuits, media pipelines and infrastructure in the CSP environment.

$VK (+6,23%) Vallourec (France, EPA: VK) - Specialty tubes and high-performance steels for energy projects, including high-temperature pipelines.

Hidden Champions

$5411 (+1,95%) JFE Holdings (Japan, TSE: 5411) - steels and tubes for large-scale projects, with a focus on Asia.

$TUB (-2,51%) Tubacex (Spain, BME: TUB) - Seamless stainless steel tubes for high temperature and corrosive environments, directly relevant for CSP heat and process piping.

$NXT Nextpower (USA) - Steel-intensive tracker systems for PV fields. Important in hybrid parks where PV and CSP are combined.

$ARRY (-2,74%) Array Technologies (USA) - Similar to Nextracker, focus on utility-scale tracking systems.

8.3 Cement, concrete and construction chemicals

Big player

$HOLN (+0,53%) Holcim (Switzerland, SIX: HOLN) - The world's leading supplier of cement and concrete. Supplies foundation concrete, specialty mortars and infrastructure construction materials for major projects, including desert locations.

$HEI (+0,07%) Heidelberg Materials (Germany, Xetra: HEI) - Strong player in Europe, North Africa and Asia. Cement, concrete and aggregates for foundations, turbine houses, storage blocks.

$CX (+0%) Cemex (Mexico, NYSE: CX) - Globally active in cement and concrete, supplier for infrastructure in MENA and the Americas.

$CRH (+0,75%) CRH plc (Ireland, NYSE: CRH) - Building materials group with a focus on infrastructure, road construction and precast concrete products.

Hidden Champions

$ULTRACEMCO UltraTech Cement (India, NSE) - Largest cement manufacturer in India, relevant for CSP projects in the subcontinent and neighboring regions.

Votorantim Cimentos (Brazil, private / regionally listed) - Strong supplier in Latin America with a direct link to infrastructure and energy projects.

8.4 Industrial components, heat exchangers and process equipment

Big player

$ALFA (+1,22%) Alfa Laval (Sweden, OMX: ALFA) - Heat exchangers, pumps and separators. Key components for thermal storage, steam generation and process heat in CSP plants.

$FLS (+3,92%) Flowserve (USA, NYSE: FLS) - Pumps, valves and sealing systems for high-temperature and high-pressure circuits in energy plants.

$SPX (+0,62%) Spirax Group (UK, LSE: SPX) - Steam and condensate technology, control valves and heat exchange systems, important for the fine control of thermal circuits.

Hidden champions

$IMI (+1,42%) IMI plc (UK, LSE: IMI) - Specialty valves and control technology for the energy and process industries, especially for demanding media.

$KSB (+1,66%) KSB SE (Germany, Xetra) - Pumps and valves for the energy, water and process industries. Suitable for cooling water, heat transfer media and storage systems in CSP parks.

🎯 Conclusion and outlook

The CSP hybrid ecosystem eliminates the weaknesses of renewable energies and uses China Speed as an economic lever. This combination creates a capital efficiency that will overtake traditional energy generation in the long term. The investment opportunities range from the Asian battery giants to the European HVDC specialists.

The fundamental question is whether European regulators can adjust the speed of permitting procedures to allow the continent to keep up with the pace of the Sahara projects and the European EPC companies operating there, or whether the continent will be left behind in terms of energy self-sufficiency.

Takeaway

The real investment case lies in the efficiency superiority of the CSP hybrid system. The ability to provide gigawatts of base load within two years, coupled with thermal storage and BESS, makes this infrastructure one of the strongest energy models of the future. This benefits optics, chemistry, BESS, HVDC, hydrogen, EPC and turbine manufacturers.

Sources: own research + IEA, IRENA, NREL, Fraunhofer ISE, SolarPACES, World Bank, Ember Climate, company reports & technical documentation of the companies mentioned.

Image: https://videos.winfuture.de/27754.mp4

Getty Images, Illustrative image - JLStock / Shutterstock.com

I was inspired by a Focus Money article and because many people here are asking.

I won't be investing myself, it's too short-term for me. But there are still some very interesting companies.

Feel free to write in the comments whether such "copied articles" are of any use to the community or are legally correct :)

The signs of a peace process in Ukraine are solidifying. This is triggering a run on the stock market for shares that could benefit from reconstruction

Regardless of the political interpretation, the stock market has been turning its back on the war for several days now and is betting on the coming peace. Stocks that are likely to benefit from the reconstruction in Ukraine have soared. The UBS Ukraine Reconstruction Index, which comprises 25 of these stocks, has been climbing for days and is at an all-time high. "The effects of a possible ceasefire in Ukraine are still being underestimated on the financial markets," says Bernd Meyer, Chief Investment Strategist and Head of Multi Asset at Berenberg, who is convinced that the rally will continue. Reconstruction requires enormous resources. According to estimates by the World Bank, the costs for this amount to a total of 500 billion dollars - the equivalent of Austria's gross domestic product and more than three times Ukraine's annual economic output before the war. The money is likely to benefit construction companies, suppliers, infrastructure companies and banks in particular. European companies could be the main beneficiaries - especially from neighboring countries such as Poland and Hungary, but also the Czech Republic, Austria and Germany.

With Wärtsilä $WRT1V (+1,11%) a provider of technologies for the shipping and energy markets, and Konecranes $KCR (+1,12%) a manufacturer of industrial cranes and drive technology, Finnish companies are also on the list of potential peace beneficiaries - as are Italian companies such as the cement and building materials manufacturer Buzzi $BZU (+1,14%) The list is long. There is a great need for building materials, steel and cables to restore the destroyed infrastructure and energy supply. There is still no thematic fund or ETF on the beneficiaries of the reconstruction in Ukraine. Investors who want to benefit from this are therefore well advised to combine several securities into a portfolio themselves.

Banks: Erste Group Bank $EBS (-0,42%) Powszechna K. Osz $PKO (-0,35%) Santander Polska $SPL (-1,53%) Polska K. Opieki $PEO (-1,11%) Raiffeisen Bank Int.$RBI (+3,18%)

Construction: Wienerberger $WIE (+1,02%) Sniezka Construction $SKA Strabag $STR (+1,79%)

Insulation: Kingspan Group $KRX (+0,15%) Rockwool $ROCK B

Glass: Cie de Saint-Gobain $SGO (-0,39%)

Cranes: Konecranes $KCR (+1,12%)

Cement: CRH $CRH (+0,75%) Buzzi $BZU (+1,14%) Holcim $HOLN (+0,53%) Heidelberg Mat. $HEI (+0,07%)

Construction machinery: Caterpillar $CAT (+0,79%)

Mining: Ferrexpo $FXPO Metso $METSO (+2,28%)

Chemicals: BASF $BAS (+0,54%)

Industrial gases: Air Liquide $AI (+0,37%)

Infrastructure: Schneider Electric $SU (+0,95%) Rexel $RXL (+2,54%) Wärtsilä $WRT1V (+1,11%) Weir Group $WEIR (+0,98%)

Infrastructure (E): Siemens Energy $ENR (+3,14%) Prysmian $PRY (+3,03%) NKT $NKT (+3,32%) Nexans $NEX (+2,51%)

Agriculture: Kernel $KER (-0,33%)

Logistics(warehouse): Kion $KGX (+0,34%)

Steel: Arcelor Mittal $MT (+1,89%) and for stainless steels Outukompu $OUT1V (+0,83%)

Sanitary technology: Geberit $GEBN (+0,3%)

Specialty chemicals: Evonik $EVK (+0,75%) Arkema $AKE (-0,44%) Wacker Chemie $WCH (+2,46%) Lanxess $LXS (-0,59%)