Core Themes - Utilities stocks are performing well in 2025, with the Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) up approximately 9.3% and nearing its all-time high, offering a total return of about 12% including a dividend yield of 2.76% [1][2] - Utilities are considered defensive stocks due to the constant demand for power, regardless of economic conditions, and a regulatory framework that supports both consumers and companies [2][16] - The demand for utilities is expected to remain strong even if the economy improves, making utilities stocks a viable option for a diversified portfolio [3][16] Constellation Energy - Constellation Energy's stock forecast indicates a 12-month price target of $285.79, with a current price of $292.40, reflecting a moderate buy rating based on 15 analyst ratings [4] - The company reported revenue of $6.79 billion, exceeding analyst expectations by 24.7%, although earnings per share of $2.14 fell short of the $2.22 forecast [5] - The stock has increased by 18% since the earnings report, driven by the announcement of long-term agreements to deliver nuclear power for data centers [6][7] NRG Energy - NRG Energy's stock forecast shows a 12-month price target of $140.75, with a current price of $159.63, indicating a moderate buy rating based on 8 analyst ratings [9] - The company is benefiting from data center growth and has a diverse power portfolio, including coal, oil, solar, and battery storage [9][10] - NRG's stock has risen over 77% as of May 20, 2025, and offers a dividend yield of 1.1%, although it is currently considered overbought [11] Exelon - Exelon's stock forecast suggests a 12-month price target of $47.30, with a current price of $44.26, and a hold rating based on 10 analyst ratings [12] - The stock has declined about 6% in May due to a $173 million settlement related to misleading investors about bribery accusations, overshadowing a strong earnings report [13][14] - Despite lower year-to-date gains compared to peers, Exelon offers the highest dividend yield at 3.6% and may be well-positioned for growth in the upcoming quarters [14][16] Overall Market Outlook - The utilities sector is expected to outperform in a volatile market, with companies like Constellation Energy, NRG Energy, and Exelon providing compelling investment opportunities [16] - The sector is benefiting from structural demand and may serve as both a defensive play and a source of meaningful returns in the near future [16]

Industry Overview - Nuclear energy is increasingly recognized as a vital solution for meeting the world's growing electricity demands and supporting the transition to cleaner power sources, providing a constant and reliable supply of clean energy [1][2] - The demand for clean electricity is driven by industrial expansion, urbanization, rising global temperatures, the development of AI-powered data centers, and the adoption of electric vehicles [4] Investment Potential - Nuclear energy-related stocks, such as Duke Energy Corporation, Dominion Energy, and Constellation Energy Corporation, are becoming attractive investment options due to their ability to deliver steady output compared to other clean energy sources [2][6] - The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that annual investment in nuclear energy will exceed $150 billion by 2030, up from $65 billion, with installed nuclear capacity potentially exceeding 1,000 gigawatts by 2050 [3] Company Insights Duke Energy - Duke Energy operates 11 nuclear units capable of producing nearly 10,700 megawatts of clean electricity, with nuclear power accounting for 27.5% of its total electricity output in 2024 [8] - The company plans to expand its nuclear capacity by nearly 250 megawatts by 2031 and has secured agreements to monetize over $500 million in nuclear production tax credits [9] - Duke Energy received approval to operate its Oconee Nuclear Station for another 20 years and is pursuing license renewals for all its reactors [10][11] Dominion Energy - Dominion Energy owns four nuclear power stations, generating nearly 40% of its total production, and is evaluating next-generation nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors (SMRs) [12][13] - The company aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, with nuclear power serving as a consistent, carbon-free solution [14] Constellation Energy - Constellation Energy is the largest nuclear power plant operator in the U.S., accounting for around 10% of the nation's total clean energy production [15] - The company has secured multiple uranium supply contracts extending through the 2030s to ensure long-term nuclear fuel security and is modernizing its nuclear plants to improve performance [16] - Constellation Energy is investing to expand its nuclear capacity and is evaluating the addition of up to one gigawatt of new carbon-free energy capacity over the next 10 years [17]

Core Viewpoint - Constellation Energy has experienced a significant stock price increase of over 45% in the past month, driven by its strategic focus on supplying energy to the AI data center industry [1][2][11]. Strategic Focus - The company is committed to becoming a key power provider for the energy-intensive AI sector, emphasizing the importance of reliable power sources, particularly nuclear energy, to meet projected demand [2][4][12]. - Constellation's strategy includes a preference for on-grid sales to power-hungry data centers, allowing for greater flexibility and collaboration with various utilities [5]. Nuclear Energy Advantage - The existing nuclear fleet is highlighted as a competitive advantage, offering cost-effectiveness, reliability, long-term fixed-price contracts, and sustainability, making it an optimal choice for data center clients [6]. Growth Initiatives - The pending acquisition of Calpine, expected to close by the end of 2025, is projected to add at least $2 in earnings per share and $2 billion in free cash flow annually, enhancing generation capabilities [7]. - Organic growth initiatives, including the restart of the Crane Clean Energy Center, aim to address the increasing energy demand [7]. Financial Performance - In Q1 2025, Constellation reported adjusted earnings per share of $2.14 and revenue of $6.79 billion, exceeding expectations and reflecting a 10.18% year-over-year increase [8]. - The company reaffirmed its full-year 2025 adjusted operating EPS guidance in the range of $8.90 to $9.60, indicating confidence in its financial outlook [9][10]. Stock Forecast and Investor Sentiment - The 12-month stock price forecast is set at $282.50, indicating a potential upside of 4.19%, with a Moderate Buy rating from analysts [9]. - Management views the current stock price as undervalued relative to projected double-digit earnings growth, with intentions to resume share buybacks when conditions allow [10].

Industry Overview - The Trump administration aims to accelerate the deployment of nuclear reactors in the U.S., reflecting a global shift in sentiment towards nuclear energy, especially after the Fukushima disaster in 2011 [1] - The International Atomic Energy Agency projects nuclear production capacity to increase 2.5 times by 2050, from 372 gigawatt-electric (GWe) in 2023 to 950 GWe by 2050, necessitating new reactors to achieve this growth [2] Company Analysis: Constellation Energy - Constellation Energy is the largest producer of carbon-free electricity in the U.S., focusing on nuclear power, which provides a stable electricity source unaffected by weather [4] - The demand for energy from data centers, particularly from tech companies like Microsoft, has enhanced Constellation's market position, with a power purchase agreement to supply nuclear energy for data centers [5] - Constellation's extensive nuclear plant operations and renewable energy focus position it favorably for future growth [6] Company Analysis: Cameco - Cameco is one of the largest uranium producers, operating mines in Canada and involved in the nuclear fuel cycle, which includes uranium conversion and enrichment [7] - The rising global demand for nuclear energy positions Cameco to benefit from increasing uranium prices and new reactor constructions, supported by long-term contracts with utility companies [8][9] - Cameco has significant uranium deposits in Saskatchewan and Australia, allowing for expansion as nuclear energy demand grows [9] Company Analysis: NuScale Power - NuScale Power specializes in small modular reactors (SMRs), which are designed for efficiency, safety, and scalability, making them suitable for decentralized power generation [10][11] - The company holds a first-mover advantage in the SMR market, with its 50 MWe SMR being the first approved by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and plans to upsize to 77 MWe [12] - NuScale is developing an SMR power station in Romania, targeting a launch date of 2029, making it a long-term investment opportunity for aggressive investors [13]

Core Viewpoint - Constellation Energy Corporation (CEG) has received a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) upgrade, indicating a positive trend in earnings estimates which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Impact - The Zacks rating system is based on changes in earnings estimates, which are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [4][6]. - Rising earnings estimates for Constellation Energy suggest an improvement in the company's underlying business, likely leading to increased stock prices [5][10]. Earnings Estimate Revisions - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, Constellation Energy is expected to earn $9.55 per share, reflecting a 10.2% increase from the previous year [8]. - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Constellation Energy has risen by 2.6% [8]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) stocks historically generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7]. - The upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 places Constellation Energy in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, indicating strong potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10].

Google made several headlines related to artificial intelligence (AI) this week. And, despite the stock’s performance, not all were negative.  Of course, the news of search losing preference to AI chatbots like ChatGPT amongst iPhone users grabbed the top story, and the Department of Justice continues to look into antitrust measures against the company’s ad tech business. However, the Alphabet Inc. NASDAQ: GOOGL subsidiary continues to spend heavily on AI infrastructure and recently entered an agreement wit ...

Core Viewpoint - Constellation Energy Corporation (CEG) has shown strong performance in its first-quarter 2025 earnings, with a notable increase in earnings per share and revenues, while also making significant strategic moves such as the acquisition of Calpine [1][4][5]. Financial Performance - CEG reported earnings of $2.14 per share, matching the Zacks Consensus Estimate, and reflecting a 17.6% increase from $1.82 in the same quarter last year [1][4]. - Revenues reached $6.79 billion, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.92 billion by 14.6%, and increased by 10.2% from $6.16 billion year-over-year [4]. - The stock closed at $270.59 on May 8, with a 14% gain over the past six months, outperforming the industry and S&P 500 [1]. Strategic Developments - CEG has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Calpine for approximately $16.4 billion, which includes 50 million shares of CEG stock, $4.5 billion in cash, and the assumption of around $12.7 billion in Calpine's net debt [5]. - The company’s nuclear fleet produced 45,582 gigawatt-hours (GWhs) in Q1 2025, slightly up from 45,391 GWhs in Q1 2024 [5]. Capacity and Production - CEG's nuclear plants achieved a 94.1% capacity factor in Q1 2025, an improvement from 93.3% in Q1 2024, with no non-refueling outage days reported in Q1 2025 [6]. - The Crane Clean Energy Center has been selected for expedited grid connection, contributing over 1,150 megawatts of clean electricity to the grid [7]. Investment and Growth Prospects - CEG plans capital expenditures of nearly $3 billion for 2025 and $3.5 billion for 2026, with 35% allocated to nuclear fuel acquisition [12]. - The company is strategically partnering with tech firms like Microsoft to supply power to data centers, capitalizing on the rising demand for clean energy [13]. Shareholder Returns - CEG has authorized a share repurchase program of up to $3 billion, with approximately $841 million remaining as of March 31, 2025 [23]. - The company aims to increase its dividend by 10% annually, currently offering a quarterly dividend of 38.78 cents per share, equating to an annualized dividend of $1.55 [24]. Market Position - CEG's trailing 12-month return on equity stands at 21.93%, significantly higher than the industry average of 8.39% [19]. - The stock is currently trading at a premium compared to its industry on a forward 12-month P/E basis [20].

Analyst's Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of CEG either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. I retired early after 22 years in the energy industry with roles in engineering, planning, and financial analysis. I have managed my own portfo ...

Core Insights - Constellation Energy Corporation (NASDAQ: CEG) reported Q1 earnings that exceeded market expectations, resulting in a share price increase of over 11% due to significant revenue growth and a reaffirmed outlook for 2025 [1] Financial Performance - The company achieved a substantial beat on its top line, indicating strong revenue performance in the first quarter [1] Future Outlook - Constellation Energy reiterated its outlook for 2025, suggesting confidence in its long-term growth trajectory [1]

Does Constellation Energy stock cost too much?Nuclear power utility Constellation Energy Corporation (CEG 9.25%) exploded higher after reporting significantly higher revenue than expected for the first quarter of 2025.Heading into today's report, analysts forecast Constellation Energy would earn $2.15 per share on sales of $5.4 billion. Constellation actually missed the earnings forecast by a penny, but its revenue came in at $6.8 billion. Constellation Energy's Q1 earningsBoth analysts and Constellation i ...