Uranium producer Cameco (NYSE: CCJ) has a strong history. However, the current stock price is in uncharted territory. The stock is trading very close to its all-time high of roughly $124 per share. Should you jump in while it is trading just under that price? Here are some things to consider before making your final investment decision. What does Cameco do? Cameco is tied at the hip to the nuclear power industry. However, the company doesn't produce power; it is an industry supplier. Historically, it ha ...

Core Insights - Energy Fuels Inc. and Cameco Corporation are positioned to benefit from the strengthening global nuclear energy supply chain, with uranium futures reaching $89 per pound, a 31.7% year-over-year increase, marking the highest level in nearly 20 months [2]. Group 1: Energy Fuels Inc. - Energy Fuels has been the leading U.S. producer of natural uranium concentrate, accounting for roughly two-thirds of domestic production since 2017, with its White Mesa Mill being the only fully licensed conventional uranium processing facility in the U.S. [4]. - In 2025, Energy Fuels' Pinyon Plain Mine and La Sal Complex produced over 1.6 million pounds of uranium, exceeding guidance by approximately 11%, with current operations running at an annualized rate of about 2 million pounds [5]. - The company has secured two uranium supply contracts with U.S. nuclear utilities for deliveries from 2027 through 2032, expecting to sell 780,000–880,000 pounds of uranium under long-term contracts in 2026 [6]. - Energy Fuels is diversifying into rare earth elements (REEs), expecting to commence commercial-scale production of heavy rare earths this year, and plans to expand REE processing capacity significantly [7][8]. - The feasibility study for the Vara Mada project in Madagascar confirms strong project economics and an initial mine life of 38 years, with a planned capital cost of $410 million [8]. Group 2: Cameco Corporation - Cameco accounts for around 16% of global uranium output and operates across the entire nuclear fuel cycle, holding significant stakes in major mines like McArthur River and Cigar Lake [9][10]. - Cameco revised its 2025 production outlook due to development delays, projecting a share of production from McArthur River at 9.8-10.5 million pounds [11]. - The company expects to offset production shortfalls with strong performance from Cigar Lake and is working to extend its mine life to 2036 [12]. - Cameco has entered a strategic partnership with the U.S. government to accelerate nuclear reactor technology deployment, backed by an investment of at least $80 billion [13]. Group 3: Financial Estimates and Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Energy Fuels indicates a revenue drop of 28.3% in 2026, with expected losses narrowing to 34 cents per share in 2025 [14]. - In contrast, Cameco's 2025 revenue is expected to grow by 4%, with earnings projected to surge by 100% to 98 cents per share [16]. - Year-to-date, Energy Fuels stock has appreciated 358.5%, outperforming Cameco's 159.2% gain, but Energy Fuels trades at a significantly higher forward price-to-sales multiple of 58.11X compared to Cameco's 21.95X [19][20]. Group 4: Conclusion - Both companies are well-positioned to benefit from favorable long-term trends in uranium demand, with Energy Fuels standing out for its strategic importance to U.S. uranium supply and diversification into REEs [21]. - However, Energy Fuels faces expected losses and a significantly expensive valuation, while Cameco offers stronger earnings visibility and a more reasonable valuation [24]. - Cameco appears better positioned for investors seeking exposure to uranium with a more balanced risk-reward profile, supported by its Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) compared to Energy Fuels' Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) [25].

Group 1: Market Overview - Global equity markets showed strong performance in Q4 2025, supported by easing inflation and positive economic data [1] - The Hardman Johnston Global Equity Strategy achieved a return of 2.91%, while the MSCI AC World Net Index gained 3.29% [1] - The Financials and Consumer Staples sectors contributed positively to the strategy's performance, whereas the Industrials and Consumer Discretionary sectors detracted from it [1] Group 2: Cameco Corporation Highlights - Cameco Corporation (NYSE:CCJ) was identified as a new holding in the Hardman Johnston Global Equity Strategy [2][3] - The stock of Cameco Corporation experienced a one-month return of 37.69% and a 52-week gain of 151.59%, closing at $125.97 per share with a market capitalization of $55.005 billion on January 27, 2026 [2] - The company is a leading player in uranium production and has a 49% stake in Westinghouse, enhancing its position in the nuclear sector [3] Group 3: Strategic Insights on Cameco Corporation - The shift in uranium sourcing away from Russia post-Ukraine invasion positions Cameco favorably to benefit from this structural change [3] - The global resurgence in nuclear development, driven by AI's energy demands and the low carbon benefits of nuclear power, is expected to enhance Cameco's earnings potential [3] - A significant agreement between Westinghouse and the U.S. Department of Commerce aims to support $80 billion in new nuclear reactor construction by 2030, which is anticipated to materially increase Cameco's earnings power [3]

Core Insights - Utilities are fundamentally changing their approach to nuclear power, indicating a long-term commitment to this carbon-free energy source [1] - Uranium prices have reached a 17-year high of $86 per pound, but actual market demand reflects prices around $100 to $115 per pound due to 70% of current contracts being market-related [1] - There is strong sovereign demand for uranium, with India being a notable example, which is a leading indicator for a robust contracting environment [1] Uranium Market Dynamics - Utilities are prioritizing security of supply over spot exposure, accepting higher incentive prices and longer contract durations [1] - The electricity demands from generative AI and data centers are further increasing the need for uranium [1] - The U.S. government is stimulating the uranium supply chain by partnering with Brookfield and Cameco to support the deployment of Westinghouse AP1000 reactors, targeting at least $80 billion in new reactors across the U.S. [1] Investment Opportunities - The structural shift in the nuclear sector is captured by the Range Nuclear Renaissance ETF (NUKZ), which tracks the VettaFi Nuclear Renaissance Index, providing exposure to Cameco and other companies involved in the nuclear renaissance [1] - Financial advisors are encouraged to stay informed on the nuclear sector for potential investment opportunities [1]

Group 1 - Cameco Corporation (NYSE:CCJ) is recognized as a strong investment opportunity in the AI energy sector, particularly due to its focus on uranium and copper amid tightening supply-demand dynamics [2][3]. - Raymond James has raised its price target for Cameco from C$150 to C$165, maintaining an 'Outperform' rating, citing structural appeal in the copper and uranium markets [2]. - Bernstein has also increased its price target for Cameco from $100 to $101, attributing this to the tightening supply of uranium and rising term prices, with expectations of prices remaining above $85 per pound through 2029 [3][4]. Group 2 - The company is well-positioned to benefit from market trends and growing policy support for nuclear energy, with expectations of reactor restarts and utility contracting enhancing its growth narrative [4]. - Cameco focuses on uranium exploration, mining, milling, and fuel services, providing low-cost, large-scale uranium production and comprehensive nuclear fuel solutions to global utilities [5].

Company Overview - Cameco is one of the largest global providers of uranium fuel, with a controlling stake in the world's largest high-grade uranium reserves and low production costs of less than $46 per pound by 2025, compared to a current spot price of over $85 per pound [4][6] - The company owns a 49% stake in Westinghouse Electric Company and Global Laser Enrichment, enhancing its position in the nuclear energy sector [5] Financial Performance - Cameco's revenue is divided into three segments, with uranium mining contributing $1.3 billion in the first nine months of 2025, while refining and enriching uranium added $279 million [6] - The company generates approximately $2.2 billion in annual revenue, with a profit margin that has increased from 8% to 23% year-to-date [7][10] - Despite a market valuation exceeding $50 billion, Cameco earned less than $378 million over the last 12 months, resulting in a trailing price-to-earnings ratio of 134 [9] Competitive Position - Cameco is one of the few profitable companies in the nuclear power industry, contrasting with competitors like Uranium Energy and Energy Fuels, which report no profits [8][9] - The company's free cash flow is notable, nearly doubling its reported net income to $698 million, leading to a price-to-free-cash-flow ratio of 72 [10] Growth Potential - Analysts predict that Cameco will achieve the highest growth rate in the industry over the next five years, estimating a 75% annual growth rate [10] - The Westinghouse division is expected to benefit from an $80 billion investment in large nuclear power plants in the U.S., which could further enhance Cameco's profitability [12][13] - Achieving the aggressive earnings growth target of 75% could justify the current valuation, even with a price-to-free-cash-flow ratio of 72 [14]

Summary of Cameco (NYSE:CCJ) FY Conference Call - January 22, 2026 Industry Overview - The nuclear industry fundamentals are reported to be stronger than ever, with increasing demand for uranium driven by the revival of nuclear reactors and new constructions globally [2][10] - There are over 60 gigawatt-scale reactors currently under construction worldwide, with significant potential for further developments in 2026 [3][4] Demand Insights - Nuclear demand is projected to rise due to the reactivation and extension of existing reactors, as well as the construction of new reactors [3][4] - The base case demand for uranium is believed to be understated, as it does not account for several significant projects, including a recent $80 billion initiative to build 10 reactors in the U.S. [4][5] - The demand for uranium is also expected to increase from naval propulsion and potential applications in AI and hyperscalers, which are not included in current demand forecasts [5] Supply Dynamics - The supply of uranium is considered overstated, with many projects not operating at full capacity due to insufficient uranium prices [6][9] - The secondary supply, historically significant, is now limited, particularly due to the absence of Russian supply in the Western market [7][8] - The planned production line is also overstated, as preliminary economic assessments are often not realized within the projected timelines [8] Contracting and Pricing Strategy - The uncovered requirements for utilities have never been larger, indicating a strong future demand for uranium [9][10] - The long-term price of uranium is currently at $86 per pound, which is seen as insufficient to convert more resources into reserves [12][19] - The market is shifting towards higher price expectations, with indications that the midpoint of market-related contracts is around $115 per pound [14][16] Strategic Positioning - Cameco is maintaining a disciplined production strategy, not running all assets at full capacity to capture demand at favorable terms [15][19] - The company is focusing on off-market contracts and has significant sovereign demand, indicating a robust pipeline of future contracts [17][19] - Cameco's vertical integration from reactor construction to fuel supply allows for early engagement in the supply chain, enhancing its strategic position [30] Enrichment Strategy - Cameco is exploring opportunities in the enrichment space, particularly with Global Laser Enrichment, while being cautious about trade policies and the potential return of Russian enrichment to the market [31][34] - The company is focused on a project to re-enrich depleted UF6 tails, which could yield significant uranium supply without competing directly in the enrichment market [33] Conclusion - The overall sentiment is optimistic regarding the nuclear industry's revival, with Cameco well-positioned to capitalize on the anticipated demand surge and favorable market conditions [20][31]

Group 1 - Oil stocks generally rose, with CNOOC (02883) up 4.32%, PetroChina (00857) up 3.33%, CNOOC (00883) up 2.98%, and Sinopec (00386) up 3.01%. International oil prices saw a slight increase, with WTI crude oil futures for February closing at $60.62 per barrel, up 0.43%, and Brent crude oil futures for March at $65.24 per barrel, up 0.49% [1] - CATL (03750) fell over 4%, down 4.4% as of the report. A report from Citi raised concerns about CATL's growth prospects due to slowing EV sales in China, rising lithium prices, and reduced export VAT rebates [1] - Kintor Pharmaceutical (02171) rose nearly 4% after announcing a clinical collaboration with Dispatch Bio to initiate a Phase I clinical trial in China by 2026 for a treatment method targeting solid tumors [1] Group 2 - Guoxia Technology (02655) surged over 7% following a strategic cooperation agreement with Shuneng Electric to enhance collaboration in the energy storage sector [2] - Kingsoft Biotech (01548) dropped over 6% after its affiliate Legend Biotech's stock fell more than 11%. Kingsoft reported that Legend's CARVYKTI had a net sales of approximately $555 million for Q4 [2] - Hong Kong real estate stocks saw a general rise, with Hysan Development (00014) up 5.17%, Sun Hung Kai Properties (00016) up 3.36%, and Wharf Real Estate (01997) up 4.02%. A report from Citi indicated a recovery in Hong Kong property prices, predicting a continued upward trend, albeit at a moderate pace due to tempered interest rate cut expectations [2] Group 3 - Baidu Group (09888) rose nearly 5%, with a cumulative increase of over 40% in the past two months. The company launched the official version of its Wenxin large model 5.0, featuring 2.4 trillion parameters [3] - Pacific Basin Shipping (02343) increased over 9%, reaching a new high of HKD 2.96, benefiting from a rise in the Baltic Dry Index, which increased by 74 points or 4.3% to 1803 points [3] - GDS Holdings (09698) rose nearly 3% after announcing the sale of shares in DayOne for $385 million, recovering approximately 95% of its investment principal with a return rate close to 6.5 times [4] Group 4 - The US stock market saw an expansion in gains, with the Nasdaq up 1%. Notable tech stocks like Intel (INTC.US) rose 11.72%, reaching a market cap of over $250 billion, the highest in four years [5] - The storage sector continued to strengthen, with Micron Technology (MU.US) up 6.61% and Western Digital (WDC.US) up 8.49%. Counterpoint Research indicated that the storage market has entered a "super bull market" phase, surpassing previous highs due to increased demand from AI and server capacity [5] - The Nasdaq Golden Dragon China Index surged 2%, with popular Chinese stocks like Bilibili (BILI.US) up 5.65% and Baidu (BIDU.US) up 8.17% [6]

周三，核电股盘前快速拉升，截至发稿，Oklo Inc(OKLO.US)涨超7.6%，NuScale Power(SMR.US)涨超 5.8%，Centrus Energy(LEU.US)涨超4%，Cameco(CCJ.US)涨超3.6%。消息面上，美国总统特朗普称， 美国正"大力"发展核能，签署行政命令，批准新建多家核工厂。 ...

智通财经APP获悉，周三，核电股盘前快速拉升，截至发稿，Oklo Inc(OKLO.US)涨超7.6%，NuScale Power(SMR.US)涨超5.8%，Centrus Energy(LEU.US)涨超4%，Cameco(CCJ.US)涨超3.6%。消息面上，美 国总统特朗普称，美国正"大力"发展核能，签署行政命令，批准新建多家核工厂。 ...