Cameco Corporation provides uranium for the generation of electricity. It operates through Uranium, Fuel Services, Westinghouse segments. The Uranium segment is involved in the exploration for, mining, and milling, purchase, and sale of uranium concentrate. The Fuel Services segment engages in the refining, conversion, and fabrication of uranium concentrate, as well as the purchase and sale of conversion services. This segment also produces CANDU reactor fuel bundles and other reactor components. The company offers nuclear fuel processing services. The Westinghouse segment engages in the manufacture of nuclear reactor technology original equipment. This segment provides products and services to commercial utilities and government agencies; and outage and maintenance services, engineering support, instrumentation and controls equipment, plant modification, and components and parts to nuclear reactors. It sells its uranium and fuel services to nuclear utilities in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Cameco Corporation was incorporated in 1987 and is headquartered in Saskatoon, Canada.

Cameco appears to be a financially sound company, but its current valuation is already noticeably ahead of its fundamentals. Its key strength is very low leverage: a debt/equity ratio of 0.14 is well below the industry median, and liquidity is comfortable, with a current ratio of 2.47 and a quick ratio of 2.09. The balance sheet also looks solid: cash has increased to $869 million, shareholders’ equity is growing, and net assets and total assets continue to expand. At the same time, profitability is present, but it does not look exceptional for such a rich valuation: ROE of 9.41 is below the industry median, ROA and ROI are only around the median, and return on tangible equity is noticeably weaker than the benchmark. Net profit margin is stronger than the industry and has improved over the years, supporting the quality of the business; however, gross margin and operating margin remain below the median, meaning operational efficiency does not fully justify the premium multiple. Revenue, gross profit, and EBITDA are generally holding at acceptable levels and show no signs of deterioration, but the dynamics are not strong enough to justify extremely high P/E, P/S, P/B, and P/FCF ratios. It is especially concerning that all key valuation multiples are significantly above industry medians, while P/E and P/FCF look very stretched even taking the strong balance sheet into account. EPS and forecast EPS remain modest, and the forecast is below the current TTM, which limits the potential for re-rating over the next year. The dividend yield is very low and has declined over the past few years, so the dividend factor adds almost no support to the investment case. Overall, this is a story of a high-quality but already expensive asset: the fundamentals are not weak, but the price likely already reflects a substantial amount of expectations for the uranium market and future growth. For an investor, this means the upside to the target price should be revised cautiously downward, since the strong balance sheet and acceptable profitability do not compensate for such a large premium to the industry.

Cameco Corporation

Сильный индекс, значительно упал. Оптимистичный взгляд на свои позиции резко сменился на неуверенность.

Strong index, significantly down. An optimistic view of his position suddenly changed to uncertainty.

Сильный индекс, значительно упал. Рынок не поддерживает быков.

Strong index, significantly down. The market does not support the bulls.

Средний индекс, незначительно вырос. Отток средств из лонгов на высоком уровне.

Medium index, slightly up. Outflow of funds from longs at a high level.

Cameco’s strong balance sheet and liquidity are paired with a very expensive valuation and only average profitability, so the target outlook should be moderately reduced.

Key Points
Nuclear agencies are predicting structurally higher demand for uranium.
Uranium producers like Cameco are set to benefit.
Cameco (NYSE: CCJ) stock has performed exceptionally well over the past few years. Since 2020, shares of the uranium producer are up by more than 1,000%.
What has fueled Cameco's stock price surge? The main factor has been the rising demand for uranium. In 2022, uranium traded at roughly $30 per pound. Today, prices are approaching $100 per pound.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
There have been price surges in the past. In 2007, prices also surged above $100 per pound, only to fall back under $30 per pound by 2018.
This surge, however, might be different. That's because nuclear agencies are calling for structurally higher demand for nuclear power to help fuel the global AI data center build-out. According to recent estimates, we could be seeing higher uranium prices for decades to come.
Here's why uranium demand is expected to rise 140% by 2050
The Nuclear Energy Agency and the International Atomic Energy Agency regularly publish what is called the "red book." This publication forecasts future nuclear energy supply based on industry project pipelines and growth expectations. The latest report calls for world nuclear capacity to jump from 394 GWe in 2023 to 574 GWe in the low-demand case and 900 GWe in the high-demand case.
This forecast is a significant change from the 2022 version of the red book, which called for a much more modest increase in nuclear capacity. The sizable increase in expectations can largely be attributed to AI's rapidly rising demand for a clear, reliable baseload power supply.
More nuclear energy generation capacity means greater demand for nuclear energy. And both agencies believe current uranium supplies won't be enough to support the build-out. This means two things: Either uranium prices are set to rise aggressively, or miners will need to expand production. Both should be good outcomes for uranium producers like Cameco.
Should you buy stock in Cameco right now?
Before you buy stock in Cameco, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Cameco wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $390,394!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,209,184!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 899% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 206% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of July 29, 2026.
Ryan Vanzo has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Cameco. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Prediction: 1 Reason Uranium Demand Should Spike 140% by 2050

The signing of a landmark civilian nuclear agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia last week marks a key turning point for the global energy landscape. This 30-year, multibillion-dollar deal, finalized on July 22, 2026, opens the door for U.S. companies to build Saudi Arabia’s nuclear infrastructure, including potential uranium enrichment capabilities.
Consequently, investors seeking to capitalize on the long-term growth opportunities stemming from this bilateral accord, which is expected to provide a significant boost to the nuclear power ecosystem, may consider increasing their exposure to nuclear-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
But before we dive into the specifics of these ETFs, it is essential to examine the macroeconomic rationale driving the deal, identify the core corporate beneficiaries, and understand why broad-based ETFs offer a prudent investment approach. This will enable prudent investors to assess this emerging opportunity and make an informed decision.
The Strategic Rationale Behind the Deal
The landmark agreement mentioned above serves both geopolitical and macroeconomic objectives for America and Saudi Arabia amid an evolving global energy transition and shifting geopolitical alignments.
For Saudi Arabia, it is a cornerstone of its Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy beyond fossil fuels, reduce domestic oil consumption, and meet soaring electricity demands driven by AI and data centers.
For the United States, this agreement, apart from strengthening Washington’s strategic partnership with Riyadh, aims to ensure that American non-proliferation standards and technological architectures (rather than Russian or Chinese alternatives) dominate the Middle East’s nuclear infrastructure for decades to come.
In particular, this partnership provides a massive, multi-decade commercial pipeline, rejuvenating domestic manufacturing, technological innovation, and enrichment capabilities, thereby serving as a powerful growth catalyst for the U.S. nuclear industry.
Key Nuclear Stocks Poised to Benefit
Several nuclear market leaders are uniquely positioned to reap substantial gains from the deployment of reactor fleets and fuel services arising from the latest U.S.-Saudi Arabia deal.
For example, Westinghouse, developer of the AP1000 reactor, with nearly half of the operating nuclear reactors worldwide relying on its technology, can be expected to be a major winner, with its parent company Cameco CCJ seeing direct benefits. Notably, Cameco is one of the largest global providers of uranium fuel needed to operate nuclear power plants.
Pure-play utility companies, such as Constellation Energy CEG, which generate electricity from nuclear power, also stand to benefit from the agreement.
Other key players poised to benefit from this agreement include nuclear technology and equipment suppliers like BWX Technologies BWXT and Centrus Energy LEU. BWXT’s subsidiary Nuclear Fuel Services (“NFS”) is a leading manufacturer of fuel material for all naval nuclear reactors used in U.S. submarines and aircraft carriers, while Centrus Energy is a global supplier of enriched uranium fuel for civilian nuclear power reactors.
Companies like Oklo OKLO are also positioned as key players in the growing advanced reactor space, which Saudi Arabia may explore as part of its commercial nuclear program.
A Game Changer for Nuclear ETFs?
While individual stocks like those mentioned above offer high-reward potential, direct stock investment comes with operational risk, regulatory scrutiny, and lengthy licensing timelines. On the contrary, nuclear ETFs offer a more prudent approach by providing diversified exposure across the entire value chain — from uranium miners to reactor builders and utility operators. This diversification helps mitigate single-stock volatility while capturing the broader industry’s profitability.
For instance, while a pure-play uranium miner might be highly sensitive to commodity price swings, a fund that includes established utility companies can offer more stable returns.
Against this backdrop, investors may consider increasing their exposure to the following ETFs for a comprehensive value-chain diversification:
Global X Uranium ETF URA
This fund, with net assets worth $5.40 billion, offers exposure to 53 companies involved in uranium mining and the production of nuclear components, including businesses engaged in extraction, refining, exploration, or manufacturing of equipment for the uranium and nuclear industries. CCJ (with 23.39% weightage in the fund), Nexgen Energy (6.55%) and OKLO (5.69%) hold the first three spots in this fund.
LEU (3.43%) holds the seventh position. It charges 69 basis points (bps) as fees and traded at a volume of 3.19 million shares in the last trading session.
VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF NLR
This fund, with net assets worth $3.78 billion, offers exposure to 28 companies involved in uranium mining; the construction, engineering and maintenance of nuclear power facilities and nuclear reactors; the production of electricity from nuclear sources; or providing equipment, technology and/or services to the nuclear power industry. CEG (9.22%), CCJ (7.78%) and Public Service Enterprise Group Inc (7.30%) hold the first three spots in this fund.
BWXT (6.49%) holds the fourth spot in NLR, while LEU (5.59%) holds the sixth position. It charges 52 bps as fees and traded at a volume of 0.44 million shares in the last trading session.
Sprott Uranium Miners ETF URNM
This fund, with net assets worth $1.76 billion, offers exposure to 25 companies involved in mining, exploration, development and production of uranium, or holding physical uranium, owning uranium royalties or engaging in other non-mining activities that support the uranium mining industry. CCJ (19.68%) holds the first spot in this fund, while Nexgen Energy (12.87%) holds the third spot.
It charges 75 bps as fees and traded at a volume of 0.30 million shares in the last trading session.
Boost Your Portfolio with Our Top ETF Insights
Zacks' exclusive Fund Newsletter delivers actionable information, top news and analysis, as well as top-performing ETFs, straight to your inbox every week.
Don’t miss out on this valuable resource. It’s free!
Get it now >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

US-Saudi Sign Landmark Atomic Deal: A Game Changer for Nuclear ETFs?

Key Points
In May 2025, Donald Trump signed an executive order to speed up the development of nuclear power in the United States.
The goal is to increase U.S. nuclear capacity from 100 gigawatts to 400 gigawatts by 2050.
Nuclear power is carbon-free, so it is technically a clean power source. And it is always on, so it is a reliable base-load power source. With power demand expected to grow 60% over the next 20 years, up from 10% over the last 20 years, nuclear is increasingly seen as a key part of the supply equation. One big story investors don't want to miss is the huge support the nuclear power industry is getting from the U.S. government.
Massive growth plans for nuclear power
The U.S. nuclear power fleet produces around 100 gigawatts of power today. The goal of Donald Trump's May 2025 executive order is to reach 400 gigawatts by 2050. There will be many steps in that process, including on the regulatory and financing fronts. Already, the groundwork has been laid to test new reactor technologies and to provide funding for both nuclear power start-ups and existing nuclear power companies seeking to expand.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
There are several ways for an investor to play the sector. For investors that don't want to jump in with both feet, a picks-and-shovels option like Cameco (NYSE: CCJ) or Brookfield Renewable (NYSE: BEP)(NYSE: BEPC) could be a good choice. While neither is directly benefiting from U.S. government support, Cameco produces and sells uranium. Industry growth is inherently positive for the company. Brookfield Renewable shares ownership of Westinghouse with Cameco. Westinghouse is one of the largest service providers to the nuclear power industry. Again, more nuclear power means more business for Westinghouse.
If you want direct exposure, a more supportive regulatory environment will help Constellation Energy (NASDAQ: CEG) reopen shuttered power plants and sustain operations at plants scheduled for shutdown. It already has deals with Walmart (NASDAQ: WMT) and Meta (NASDAQ: META) to support its nuclear power plant operations. Notably, the U.S. government has provided Constellation with a $1 billion loan tied to its nuclear power ambitions.
Then there are emerging new technologies, like the small modular nuclear reactors (SMR) that NuScale Power (NYSE: SMR) is looking to build. It will also benefit from increased regulatory support, as highlighted by the recent approval of a higher-capacity system the company has built. NuScale is already working with a Romanian utility and with the Tennessee Valley Authority on the potential deployment of its first SMRs. NuScale is a money-losing start-up, so only the most aggressive investors should consider it. But it could also have the biggest upside potential if its technology takes hold.
Different ways to play the nuclear renaissance
If you are a conservative dividend investor, high-yield Brookfield Renewable is probably your best option, noting it operates a diversified clean energy business and sports a lofty 4.8% yield. Contract power company Constellation Energy is more growth-oriented, but still has a sizable existing business to support its nuclear ambitions. Some investors may prefer Cameco, which sells a commodity product likely to be in high demand. The most aggressive investors should consider NuScale Power, which has yet to sell its first SMR. But when it does ink its first deal, the stock could quickly see strong investor interest.
Should you buy stock in NuScale Power right now?
Before you buy stock in NuScale Power, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and NuScale Power wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $377,990!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,269,518!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 896% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 206% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of July 25, 2026.
Reuben Gregg Brewer has positions in Brookfield Renewable Partners. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Cameco, Constellation Energy, Meta Platforms, and Walmart. The Motley Fool recommends Brookfield Renewable, Brookfield Renewable Partners, and NuScale Power. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Nuclear Energy Is Winning Repeated Government Backing and Investors Should Take Notice

Key Points
Constellation Energy and Cameco provide different ways to invest in the nuclear energy trend.
Both companies have strong growth drivers, but their risks and valuations differ sharply.
Future returns for both companies, however, depend on execution and earnings growth.
U.S. electricity use is expected to reach a record 4,269 billion kilowatt-hours in 2026 and rise further to 4,399 billion kilowatt-hours in 2027, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
The Trump Administration aims to quadruple U.S. nuclear capacity from roughly 100 gigawatts in 2024 to 400 gigawatts by 2050. To support that goal, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has proposed changes intended to make environmental reviews and reactor licensing more timely and predictable.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
Constellation Energy (NASDAQ: CEG) and Cameco (NYSE: CCJ) offer investors two different ways to benefit from this nuclear energy trend. Here is what $5,000 invested in each stock could be worth in 10 years.
1. Constellation Energy
Constellation Energy operates the largest nuclear energy network in the U.S. Its acquisition of Calpine added dozens of natural gas and geothermal power plants, expanding the combined company's generating capacity to about 55 gigawatts.
PJM Interconnection, which manages the electricity grid across parts of 13 states and Washington, D.C., holds an annual auction to ensure enough power plants are available when demand peaks. In its latest auction, the price reached the temporary cap of $325 per megawatt-day. PJM estimated it would have risen to $554.72 without the cap. Despite this, the auction secured 6.8 gigawatts less capacity than PJM said it needed. The shortfall suggests dependable power remains scarce, which could support higher earnings for Constellation Energy.
Constellation Energy is also locking in demand and has impressive long-term revenue visibility. The company had secured more than 5,650 megawatts through long-term clean energy agreements as of March 31. Those agreements include a 20-year deal to supply Meta Platforms with power from the Clinton nuclear plant in Illinois and another 20-year deal supporting the planned restart of the Crane Clean Energy Center in Pennsylvania for Microsoft. The company added another 176-megawatt nuclear power agreement with Walmart in June 2026.
Management expects base earnings per share, a non-GAAP measure intended to show the earnings power of Constellation Energy's core business, to grow at an annualized rate of more than 20% from 2026 through 2029. The company is targeting growth of more than 10% in each of the three-year periods after 2029. Constellation estimates base earnings of $6.65 to $6.75 per share in 2026. Using the $6.70 midpoint, management's growth targets would lift base EPS to about $22.56 by 2036. Assuming base earnings account for 70% of total earnings by then, total adjusted EPS could reach roughly $32.23.
Constellation Energy trades at about 21.9 times the midpoint of its 2026 adjusted earnings guidance (as of July 16). Applying a more conservative valuation of 18 times earnings would produce a share price near $580. Based on the company's July 16 closing share price of $251.77, a $5,000 investment could grow to roughly $11,500 by 2036, excluding dividends.
The forecast's accuracy, however, depends on Constellation Energy properly integrating Calpine, managing acquisition debt, and delivering projects tied to its long-term customer agreements. The planned restart of the Crane Clean Energy Center adds another risk because no fully closed U.S. nuclear plant has completed such a restart.
But with its operating plants, long-term contracts, and several earnings drivers, Constellation Energy appears to be a strong nuclear stock for the next decade.
2. Cameco
Cameco operates two of the world's highest-grade uranium mines in Canada and provides uranium refining, conversion, and fuel-manufacturing services. It also owns a 49% equity stake in Westinghouse, which designs and manufactures nuclear fuel and provides maintenance, engineering support, and components for nuclear reactors.
The uranium business already has strong visibility into demand. Cameco exited the first quarter with contracts covering average annual uranium deliveries of more than 28 million pounds through 2030, with higher-than-average delivery commitments from 2026 through 2028. Cameco's core uranium segment's adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization), a measure of operating profitability, rose 48% year over year to $423 million Canadian. Profits were driven by higher sales volumes and increased prices.
Cameco's share of Westinghouse's adjusted EBITDA also increased 33% year over year to $122 million Canadian in the first quarter.
However, production problems remain an important risk for Cameco. The company temporarily stopped mining at Cigar Lake in Saskatchewan in July after a problem shut down the nearby McClean Lake mill, where the mine's uranium ore is processed. Operations restarted on July 14 and have not yet affected the company's 2026 production forecast. Yet, the disruption showed that Cameco is exposed to problems at both its own mines and at facilities run by business partners.
Analysts now expect Cameco to earn about $1.66 per share in 2026. But its earnings estimate during the next decade could vary widely depending on uranium prices, production volumes, contract pricing, and Westinghouse's growth.
Assuming a conservative 8% annual earnings growth, Cameco's EPS will reach about $3.58 by 2036. Cameco trades at about 82 times trailing earnings. Assuming the valuation falls to 20 times earnings, the stock could trade near $72 by 2036. This would reduce the value of a $5,000 investment made at $87.36 per share to roughly $4,100.
In a base-case scenario, assuming Cameco's EPS grows by 12% annually, earnings would increase from an estimated $1.66 per share in 2026 to about $5.16 per share by 2036. Applying a valuation of 25 times earnings would produce a share price near $129. A $5,000 investment made at Cameco's July 16 closing price of $87.36 could then grow to about $7,400 by 2036, excluding dividends.
Finally, in a bullish scenario, EPS are estimated to grow by 16% annually. Then, at 30 times the estimated 2036 EPS of $7.32, the stock could reach about $220. A $5,000 investment made at Cameco's July 16 closing price of $87.36 would then be worth roughly $12,600, excluding dividends.
The base case appears the most reasonable. The bullish case requires Cameco to sustain unusually strong growth for a commodity-linked business, while the conservative case shows how valuation compression could offset years of earnings gains.
Should you buy stock in Constellation Energy right now?
Before you buy stock in Constellation Energy, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Constellation Energy wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $371,842!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,244,783!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 900% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 207% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of July 21, 2026.
Manali Pradhan, CFA has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Cameco, Constellation Energy, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Prediction: This Is What $5,000 Invested in These 2 Nuclear Energy Stocks Will Be Worth in 10 Years

Key Points
Nuclear energy is the biggest source of carbon-free electricity in the U.S., providing 47% of the country’s zero-emissions power.
Nuclear power provides stable and reliable energy to support the electricity grid.
With more data centers coming online in the next few years, growing nuclear energy demand should bode well for uranium miners and nuclear fuel producers.
Nuclear power is the largest source of carbon-free electricity in the United States, providing 47% of the nation's zero-emissions power and more than wind and solar combined in 2023.
Not only is nuclear power cleaner-burning, but it also provides stable baseload power, enabling power plants to run 24/7 and making the power grid more reliable and better able to handle fluctuations in energy demand throughout the day. With these attributes, it's no wonder more countries are supporting the Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy capacity by 2050.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
As the use of artificial intelligence (AI) booms and data centers grow, more companies are turning to nuclear power to meet their long-term power needs. With that in mind, here are two nuclear energy stocks that I think are excellent stocks to buy and hold for the next five years -- and beyond.
Cameco is one of the world's largest uranium producers
Cameco (NYSE: CCJ) owns controlling stakes in the McArthur River and Cigar Lake mines in Canada's Athabasca Basin. These are among the highest-grade mines in the world, supported by a network of roads and electricity and by fully permitted and licensed mills. They yield ore with a high uranium concentration, resulting in lower operating costs and a robust competitive advantage.
Over the next five years, Cameco has committed to delivering an average of 28 million pounds of uranium annually, enabling it to optimize inventory and prevent excess supply from flooding the market. In March, Cameco signed a massive $2.6 billion agreement with India's Department of Atomic Energy to supply 22 million pounds of uranium ore concentrate through 2035.
In addition to supplying uranium, Cameco benefits from the build-out of nuclear energy infrastructure. That's because it has a 49% ownership stake in Westinghouse, with Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE: BAM) controlling the remaining 51%.
In June, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) conditionally committed $17.5 billion in loan facilities to support U.S. nuclear reactors. This funding will help finance equipment for the construction of at least 10 Westinghouse AP1000 reactors, giving Cameco upside from both construction and fuel supply for these new facilities.
Cameco has a distinct advantage with its high-grade mines in North America and its stake in Westinghouse, which should provide long-term upside for the company. This year, the stock has experienced significant volatility as investors digest the news around the nuclear energy build-out. But with Cameco down 36% from its 52-week high, I think now is an excellent time to buy the stock.
Centrus Energy domestically produces key fuels for nuclear energy
Another nuclear energy stock that has undergone significant volatility in recent months is Centrus Energy (NYSE: LEU). While the stock has declined a whopping 66% from its 52-week high, the company is well positioned for the future of nuclear energy. That's because Centrus provides low-enriched uranium (LEU), the fuel used to power modern nuclear reactors.
Right now, Centrus sources nuclear fuel from global suppliers, including the Russian entity TENEX. However, it is actively expanding its domestic production. That's because in 2024, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Congress passed the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act, banning the import of unirradiated LEU produced in Russia. To prevent reactor shutdowns, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued waivers through Jan. 1, 2028, if no viable alternatives exist.
Centrus has a waiver that allows it to import this LEU through 2027, but it is taking steps to become a domestic producer of this key fuel. To do so, the company is expanding its Piketon, Ohio, facility to produce both LEU and high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), the next-generation fuel used in advanced reactors developed by companies such as Oklo and Nano Nuclear Energy.
On July 1, Centrus finalized a $900 million task order with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to support nuclear fuel production and expand its Ohio facility. This is an important milestone as the company pivots from demonstrating its ability to produce HALEU to large-scale commercial production.
Investors must keep in mind that Centrus is going through a capital-intensive phase as it expands its facility, which is expected to come online in 2029 and continue expanding through the 2030s. In the meantime, it will produce HALEU in smaller quantities for private commercial customers as it expands.
Centrus Energy should benefit from strong tailwinds for LEU and HALEU fuel as nuclear energy capacity expands, making it another solid nuclear energy stock to buy and hold for the long haul.
Should you buy stock in Cameco right now?
Before you buy stock in Cameco, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Cameco wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $371,842!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,244,783!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 900% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 207% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of July 19, 2026.
Courtney Carlsen has positions in Cameco and Centrus Energy. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Brookfield Asset Management and Cameco. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Prediction: These Will Be the 2 Best Nuclear Energy Stocks to Buy for the Next 5 Years

MP Materials Corp. MP sits near the center of a U.S. push to localize rare earth processing and magnet manufacturing. The investor question is no longer limited to mine output.
The bigger issue is whether MP can turn strategic relevance into repeatable earnings power while it builds a domestic supply chain.
Why MP Materials Fits the Reshoring Trend
MP’s model fits reshoring because it spans more than mining. The company owns Mountain Pass in California, the only rare earth mine and processing site of scale in North America, and operates the Independence facility in Fort Worth, TX.
Mountain Pass supports mining, concentration and separation. Independence produces rare earth metal, alloy and magnetic precursor products, while the planned 10X campus in Northlake, TX, would add more domestic magnet capacity.
Albemarle Corporation ALB, a lithium and specialty chemicals producer, gives investors another way to view processing depth in strategic materials. Cameco Corporation CCJ, a uranium and nuclear fuel company, reflects interest in secure energy supply chains.
How MP is Moving Beyond Commodity Exposure
MP is moving away from a simpler concentrate sales model. It stopped rare earth concentrate sales to Chinese customers in July 2025 and now focuses Materials segment revenues mainly on neodymium-praseodymium oxide and metal.
That shift matters because value creation increasingly depends on processing depth. In the first quarter of 2026, Materials revenues rose to $72.2 million, while neodymium-praseodymium oxide and metal revenues reached $71.1 million.
The downstream transition is also taking shape. Independence began generating revenues from magnetic precursor sales to General Motors in the first quarter of 2025 and started neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnet manufacturing in December 2025.
What Policy Support Means for MP Growth
Policy support has become central to MP’s growth setup. The company entered definitive agreements with the United States Department of War in July 2025 to support a domestic rare earth magnet supply chain.
Those agreements call for expansion of Independence, construction of the 10X facility and extension of heavy rare earth refining capability at Mountain Pass. The Department of War agreed to purchase magnets from 10X, or approve commercial syndication, and guaranteed a minimum EBITDA level for that plant.
MP also implemented a price protection agreement in the fourth quarter of 2025 with a $110-per-kilogram floor for eligible neodymium-praseodymium products through 2035. The Northlake project is supported by roughly $200 million in state and local incentives and a 10-year Pentagon offtake commitment.
This support can improve demand visibility and reduce downside. It also adds contractual obligations, approval requirements and dependence on government program execution.
Why MP Materials Faces a Tougher Margin Equation
The domestic buildout brings costs that investors cannot ignore. MP has reported operating losses for 11 consecutive quarters as it shifts toward higher-value separated products.
Cost of sales climbed 52% in the first quarter of 2026 because of higher volumes of neodymium-praseodymium oxide, metal and magnetic precursor products. These products carry higher per-unit costs than rare earth concentrates because they require chemical reagents, labor, maintenance and other consumables.
Operating expenses are also rising. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 39.2% in the first quarter, mainly because of higher personnel costs. Start-up costs surged 503% as magnet production and chlor-alkali facilities ramped.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MP Materials’ 2026 earnings is pegged at 22 cents per share, indicating an improvement from the loss of 24 cents in 2025. The estimate for 2027 is $1.04 per share, indicating a 372% year-over-year improvement.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
However, both the estimates have been revised downward, as shown in the chart below.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Working capital remains part of the equation. Higher trade receivables, inventory needs and deferred revenues show that cash conversion depends on timely shipment, qualification and customer acceptance across newer product lines.
Shares of MP have declined 18.9% in the past three months against the industry’s 9.6% fall.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
How MP Scores Reflect a Trend-Driven Trade
MP’s reshoring appeal is real, but the stock setup remains mixed. The company has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), which fits a business with policy support, improving operating traction and meaningful execution risk. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The Style Scores show the same split. MP has a Momentum Score of A, suggesting stronger market interest around the theme and recent estimate activity. Its Value Score of F and Growth Score of D point to caution on valuation and fundamental consistency.
The VGM Score of D reinforces that this is not a clean across-the-board setup. MP looks more like a trend-driven stock that still needs proof of durable margins, smooth qualification and reliable downstream scale than a high-conviction buy at any price.
Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.
Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

MP Materials and the U.S. Rare Earth Push are Starting to Align

Key Points
Nuclear energy stocks have seen significant volatility in the first half of 2026 after strong performance in 2025.
Long-term tailwinds remain in place as countries worldwide commit to tripling nuclear energy capacity by 2050.
Nuclear energy stocks like Oklo (NYSE: OKLO), NuScale Power (NYSE: SMR), and Cameco (NYSE: CCJ) surged last year, but this volatility cuts both ways. Advanced reactor start-ups Oklo and NuScale Power have had a tough go of it, with the stocks down 27% and 30%, respectively, since the start of the year. Meanwhile, Cameco stock is up 7% year to date but down 27% from its February peak.
While the nuclear energy trade has cooled in the first half of the year, the long-term industry tailwinds remain firmly in place. Amid this volatility, one nuclear energy stock stands out as a buy for investors today.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
Nuclear stocks have cooled off after surging in 2025
Nuclear stocks were on fire in 2025 amid hype over artificial intelligence data centers, rising energy demands, the Trump administration's push to secure energy independence, and growing global support for nuclear energy. However, the strength has faded early in this year as investors reevaluate the timeline for nuclear energy to begin making an impact.
The nuclear industry was out of favor following the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011. For years, countries shifted away from nuclear power due to safety concerns, but now nuclear power is returning to favor as energy needs grow. A major reason why is that nuclear is a clean-burning, reliable baseload energy source that could help meet the growing power needs of data centers alongside residential customers.
After a strong 2025, Cameco has experienced volatility. While its uranium mining business is insulated by tight global supply, its fuel services segment normalized in the first quarter due to a decline in average exchange rates and compressed margins.
Upstarts Oklo and NuScale have experienced significant volatility
Oklo and NuScale Power have experienced larger price swings due to the long implementation timelines for their technologies. Last year, Oklo's stock peaked at around $193 per share, while NuScale Power's reached $57 per share. Today, the two stocks are down 73% and 83%, respectively, from their 52-week highs.
Oklo made headlines when it secured a commitment on a power campus project with Meta Platforms. Meanwhile, NuScale is working to build its first power plant in Romania and is in the pre-development planning phase with the Tennessee Valley Authority for up to 6 gigawatts of SMR (small modular reactor) capacity, but has yet to secure a firm commitment. The volatility in Oklo and NuScale highlights the risks of investing in early-stage start-ups with lengthy development ahead before they operate commercially.
It will be several years before any of these microreactor or small modular reactor technologies go into operation. NuScale has the only SMR design certified by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Meanwhile, Oklo is working with the Department of Energy's Reactor Pilot Program to develop its projects, and hopes to start up its first Aurora Powerhouse by late 2027 or early 2028. However, these advanced reactor technologies won't be operating at scale on a commercial level until the 2030s.
Cameco has a more established business
Cameco has gotten caught up in the nuclear sell-off, but it has a distinct advantage over upstarts like Oklo and NuScale: It is a mature company that should benefit from growing uranium demand in the coming years. That's because it operates high-grade mines in Canada, giving it a North American presence as the U.S. seeks to secure energy from allies and reduce its reliance on Russian uranium.
What's more, Cameco has a 49% ownership stake in Westinghouse, which provides upside exposure to the nuclear energy infrastructure build-out and a share of Westinghouse's high-margin utility services, reactor maintenance, and fuel assembly revenues, complementing its upstream mining operations.
Which nuclear energy stock is right for you?
The nuclear energy story remains intact but will take decades to play out as countries build out nuclear power capacity and approve advanced nuclear technologies, which could potentially change how nuclear energy is deployed. For investors buying into the nuclear hype, it's important to maintain a long-term outlook when investing in any of these companies.
Oklo and NuScale Power are still in the early innings of their development, and the volatility of the last couple of years highlights the risks of holding these companies. On the other hand, Cameco is a developed company that will benefit more immediately from the nuclear build-out, which is why I think it stands out as the nuclear energy stock to buy the dip on right now.
Should you buy stock in Cameco right now?
Before you buy stock in Cameco, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Cameco wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $410,833!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,208,693!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 917% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 209% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of July 8, 2026.
Courtney Carlsen has positions in Cameco and Meta Platforms. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Cameco and Meta Platforms. The Motley Fool recommends NuScale Power. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

These Nuclear Energy Stocks Slumped in the First Half of 2026. Buy This 1 On the Dip.

Investors in Cameco Corp. (Symbol: CCJ) saw new options become available today, for the June 2027 expiration. One of the key inputs that goes into the price an option buyer is willing to pay, is the time value, so with 353 days until expiration the newly available contracts represent a potential opportunity for sellers of puts or calls to achieve a higher premium than would be available for the contracts with a closer expiration. At Stock Options Channel, our YieldBoost formula has looked up and down the CCJ options chain for the new June 2027 contracts and identified one put and one call contract of particular interest.
The put contract at the $100.00 strike price has a current bid of $16.35. If an investor was to sell-to-open that put contract, they are committing to purchase the stock at $100.00, but will also collect the premium, putting the cost basis of the shares at $83.65 (before broker commissions). To an investor already interested in purchasing shares of CCJ, that could represent an attractive alternative to paying $102.00/share today.
Because the $100.00 strike represents an approximate 2% discount to the current trading price of the stock (in other words it is out-of-the-money by that percentage), there is also the possibility that the put contract would expire worthless. The current analytical data (including greeks and implied greeks) suggest the current odds of that happening are 65%. Stock Options Channel will track those odds over time to see how they change, publishing a chart of those numbers on our website under the contract detail page for this contract. Should the contract expire worthless, the premium would represent a 16.35% return on the cash commitment, or 16.91% annualized — at Stock Options Channel we call this the YieldBoost.
Below is a chart showing the trailing twelve month trading history for Cameco Corp., and highlighting in green where the $100.00 strike is located relative to that history:
Turning to the calls side of the option chain, the call contract at the $115.00 strike price has a current bid of $18.30. If an investor was to purchase shares of CCJ stock at the current price level of $102.00/share, and then sell-to-open that call contract as a "covered call," they are committing to sell the stock at $115.00. Considering the call seller will also collect the premium, that would drive a total return (excluding dividends, if any) of 30.69% if the stock gets called away at the June 2027 expiration (before broker commissions). Of course, a lot of upside could potentially be left on the table if CCJ shares really soar, which is why looking at the trailing twelve month trading history for Cameco Corp., as well as studying the business fundamentals becomes important. Below is a chart showing CCJ's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $115.00 strike highlighted in red:
Considering the fact that the $115.00 strike represents an approximate 13% premium to the current trading price of the stock (in other words it is out-of-the-money by that percentage), there is also the possibility that the covered call contract would expire worthless, in which case the investor would keep both their shares of stock and the premium collected. The current analytical data (including greeks and implied greeks) suggest the current odds of that happening are 44%. On our website under the contract detail page for this contract, Stock Options Channel will track those odds over time to see how they change and publish a chart of those numbers (the trading history of the option contract will also be charted). Should the covered call contract expire worthless, the premium would represent a 17.94% boost of extra return to the investor, or 18.55% annualized, which we refer to as the YieldBoost.
The implied volatility in the put contract example is 55%, while the implied volatility in the call contract example is 57%.
Meanwhile, we calculate the actual trailing twelve month volatility (considering the last 250 trading day closing values as well as today's price of $102.00) to be 54%. For more put and call options contract ideas worth looking at, visit StockOptionsChannel.com.
Further CCJ Research:
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

June 2027 Options Now Available For Cameco (CCJ)

Key Points
Nuclear is the next big theme in energy. If you aren't already invested, there's still time.
There are plenty of nuclear stocks in the market, but the best ones are already leading from the front.
One utility, for instance, is signing 20-year deals with hyperscalers, while another is powering the U.S. Navy's fleet.
For decades, the ghosts of the Fukushima Daiichi disaster haunted the global nuclear energy industry. Wind and solar grabbed the clean-energy spotlight, pushing nuclear into obscurity as investments dried up.
Then came the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, and things changed practically overnight.
Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks »
A single next-generation AI server rack can consume as much power as dozens of standard households at peak. A terrifying reality hit tech giants: Their ambitious AI growth plans were about to outgrow the aging, capacity-strained power grids. Because wind and solar are intermittent, they simply cannot guarantee the 24/7 uptime that data centers require. Nuclear power wasn't an alternative anymore. It became the only viable option.
The momentum now appears unstoppable. The U.S. government wants to quadruple nuclear energy capacity from around 100 gigawatts (GW) today to 400 GW by 2050 and is pouring billions of dollars into jump-starting the industry. Utilities are signing historic deals, and more and more nuclear start-ups are hitting the market.
Yet, to successfully ride this wave in 2026 and beyond, you must know exactly where the money is flowing and follow that smart money. With that in mind, here are three no-brainer nuclear stocks worth owning now.
Owning the entire nuclear fuel chain
You can't run a nuclear reactor without uranium. Uranium is mined, milled into "yellowcake," enriched, and then formed into uranium oxide powder. From there, it is baked into ceramic pellets, stacked into fuel rods, bundled into massive fuel assemblies, and finally loaded into a reactor core to generate electricity.
While some companies only mine the raw commodity and others handle processing, Cameco (NYSE: CCJ) is among the few that capture the entire value chain.
It is the world's second-largest uranium miner behind Kazakhstan's state-owned Kazatomprom, operating the ultra-rich, high-grade deposits in Saskatchewan's Athabasca Basin. Cameco is also a dominant force in refining, chemical conversion, and fuel fabrication, and it owns a stake in Global Laser Enrichment, which is pioneering next-generation laser-based uranium enrichment technology.
To top it all, Cameco owns a 49% stake in Westinghouse Electric, one of the world's leading nuclear reactor builders and service providers. Westinghouse recently struck a transformational $80 billion partnership with the U.S. government to build a fleet of new nuclear reactors.
So, Cameco not only holds significant pricing power but also generates highly visible cash flows from utilities under long-term contracts. With the company already locking contracts to deliver over 28 million pounds of uranium every year over the next five years, with commitments higher than the average from 2026 to 2028, this is a buy-and-forget nuclear energy stock.
Serving the defense
BWX Technologies (NYSE: BWXT) is one of the most structurally sound companies in the entire nuclear energy industry. While speculative start-ups hog the headlines, BWX holds a virtual monopoly on an incredibly high-barrier business: It is the exclusive manufacturer of nuclear reactors and highly engineered components for the U.S. Navy's submarines and aircraft carriers.
Rising geopolitical tensions are driving aggressive defense spending, and that's showing clearly in BWX's numbers. It exited the first quarter of fiscal 2026 with a backlog of $8.6 billion, up 75% year over year. Government bookings surged nearly 9x to $1.9 billion in the quarter, anchored by a massive $1.4 billion contract for the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program.
While defense provides the steady, recession-proof revenue stream, the global surge in power demand is providing BWX with its next hypergrowth catalyst. The company already builds critical components for small modular reactors and other technologies and is now expanding its U.S. commercial manufacturing footprint through its upcoming acquisition of Precision Components Group.
With that kind of a business profile, BWX stock offers a rare combination of rock-solid defense flows and explosive commercial upside from the AI power boom.
This is a solid buy opportunity
Vistra (NYSE: VST) owns a massive 44 gigawatt (GW) capacity generation fleet. While 60% of the mix is natural gas, Vistra also boasts the second-largest nuclear fleet in the U.S. behind Constellation Energy.
Tech giants are hungry for uninterrupted power and are flocking to Vistra. The company contracted nearly 3.8 GW of nuclear power plant capacity last year in two landmark 20-year deals, one each with Meta and Amazon's Amazon Web Services (AWS). These multiyear power purchase agreements are shifting Vistra away from volatile merchant pricing into highly predictable revenue.
To cement its footprint further in the largest power markets, including PJM, ERCOT (the Texas grid), and ISO-NE (New England), Vistra is acquiring Cogentrix for $4 billion. This move will expand its natural gas fleet to 26 GW, offering immediate scale to support the global power surge.
Vistra expects to have $10 billion in free cash between 2026 and 2027. That should easily fund the Cogentrix acquisition while supporting bigger dividends and share buybacks. With Vistra shares still down about 11% in one year, you wouldn't want to miss the buy opportunity.
Should you buy stock in Vistra right now?
Before you buy stock in Vistra, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Vistra wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $398,052!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,181,688!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 892% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 205% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of June 28, 2026.
Neha Chamaria has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, BWX Technologies, Cameco, Constellation Energy, Meta Platforms, and Vistra. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

3 Nuclear Stocks Worth Owning for the Entire Year as Power Demand Keeps Climbing

Key Points
The Department of Energy unveiled a $17.5 billion conditional loan commitment related to 10 nuclear reactors.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright tied the loans to data-center electricity demand.
Cameco, Constellation Energy, and Vistra are nuclear-exposed names that could be beneficiaries.
The Department of Energy is putting significant money behind a nuclear comeback. The agency unveiled up to $17.5 billion in conditional loan commitments to help utilities buy long-lead components for new reactors using Westinghouse's AP1000 technology, with the program explicitly tied to data center electricity demand. The move is arguably the clearest signal yet that the federal government views advanced nuclear as part of the answer to the AI build-out's power problem.
The specific utilities that will draw on the program have not been named. But the structure of the loans -- long-lead components for Westinghouse's AP1000 reactors -- points to a narrow set of likely beneficiaries.
Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks »
Here are three nuclear-exposed stocks worth watching.
Cameco
Cameco (NYSE: CCJ) is probably the most direct play on the Westinghouse reactor fleet.
The Canadian uranium producer co-owns Westinghouse with Brookfield Renewable Partners, giving it a stake in both the fuel supply and the reactor technology that the loan program is designed to support. Every new AP1000 that gets built on the back of these loans could be a long-term demand driver for Cameco's uranium business and its Westinghouse stake.
Cameco's position is unique among the likely beneficiaries because it sits on both sides of the transaction. The company supplies uranium and fuel services and owns a stake in the company that designs and procures equipment for new reactors.
The risk is that the loan program is conditional, and the timelines on new nuclear builds are measured in years, not quarters.
Additionally, Cameco's near-term earnings will not be affected by this announcement, but the long-term demand picture could improve materially if even a portion of the $17.5 billion is deployed.
Constellation Energy
Constellation Energy (NASDAQ: CEG) is the largest nuclear fleet operator in the United States, and it has been the most visible utility in the data center power narrative.
Indeed, the company's existing nuclear plants are already being monetized through power purchase agreements with hyperscalers, including a high-profile deal to supply Microsoft's data center operations. And the DOE loan program could eventually extend that thesis to new builds.
The bull case for Constellation is that new nuclear capacity -- built with federal support -- could somewhat lock in years of contracted revenue at premium prices.
The risk is execution. New nuclear builds in the United States have a poor track record. The only AP1000s completed in the last decade, at Vogtle in Georgia, ran years late and billions over budget. Constellation's willingness to take on that risk will depend on the structure of federal support and on data-center customers' willingness to sign long-term contracts at prices that justify the build. And the conditional nature of the loans means none of this is settled yet.
Vistra
Vistra (NYSE: VST) rounds out the list. The Texas-based power producer has built one of the largest clean-generation fleets in the country, including a meaningful nuclear footprint acquired through its merger with Energy Harbor.
Vistra's stock has been one of the best performers in the power sector over the last two years, driven by the same data-center thesis that sits behind the DOE program.
Vistra's appeal is that it offers a combination of contracted nuclear capacity and a fast-growing retail business, with the balance sheet to take on new power generation if the economics work.
The company has been more cautious than Constellation about committing to new nuclear builds, but the DOE loan program could change the calculus by reducing the upfront capital risk.
What the program really means
Of course, it's worth emphasizing that the $17.5 billion is not a check. It is a conditional loan commitment, meaning utilities must apply, qualify, and commit to building before any funds move.
The structure is designed to derisk long-lead component purchases, which have historically been a bottleneck for new nuclear in the United States. And for the three companies above, the program is more of a potential long-term tailwind -- not a sure catalyst. The more direct catalysts -- signed offtake agreements with data-center customers, construction start dates, and final loan closings -- are still ahead.
So, what should investors do?
While this loan program likely does bolster these stocks' bull cases, their massive gains over the past five years have made their valuations difficult to justify. Additionally, there's still considerable uncertainty surrounding this federal loan announcement and the timelines for new reactors.
I'll be staying on the sidelines, looking for more predictable investments.
Should you buy stock in Constellation Energy right now?
Before you buy stock in Constellation Energy, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Constellation Energy wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $387,428!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,221,398!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 895% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 205% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of June 25, 2026.
Daniel Sparks and his clients have no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Cameco, Constellation Energy, Microsoft, and Vistra. The Motley Fool recommends Brookfield Renewable Partners. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.