Core Insights - Several nuclear energy stocks experienced significant gains due to new agreements with Meta Platforms [1][3] Group 1: Agreements and Partnerships - Meta Platforms has reached agreements with nuclear energy provider Vistra Corp, startup Oklo, and TerraPower, backed by Bill Gates [2] - The Vistra deal will supply power from its currently operating reactors, while Oklo and TerraPower will assist in building smaller nuclear reactors expected to be operational between 2030 and 2035 [2] Group 2: Power Capacity and Financial Impact - Meta anticipates adding 6.6 gigawatts of power capacity to its data center network by 2035, although financial terms of the agreements were not disclosed [3] - Shares of Vistra and Oklo surged nearly 14% following the announcement, with other nuclear stocks like NuScale Power, Constellation Energy, and Nano Nuclear Energy also seeing gains [3] Group 3: Industry Implications - The agreements reflect a trend among Big Tech companies to secure clean energy sources to meet the high power demands of AI data centers, which can increase local electricity costs [4] - Analysts from Wedbush noted that this development is incrementally positive for the nuclear energy industry, emphasizing the commitment from major tech firms to leverage new energy sources [5]

Core Insights - Meta Platforms is leveraging nuclear power to support its AI initiatives, signing agreements with multiple companies to supply nuclear energy for its data centers, including the Prometheus AI supercluster in Ohio [1][6] - The deal has positively impacted the stock prices of the involved nuclear power companies, including Oklo, Vistra Corp, and TerraPower, indicating a broader market momentum in the nuclear sector [2] Company Developments - The agreement with Oklo, Vistra Corp, and TerraPower marks a significant step in Meta's strategy to utilize nuclear energy for its AI infrastructure, with a one gigawatt facility expected to be operational later this year [1][2] - This is not Meta's first venture into nuclear energy; a previous deal with Constellation Energy also resulted in a spike in stock prices, highlighting the company's ongoing commitment to nuclear power [6] Industry Trends - There is a growing trend among big tech companies to support nuclear energy as a viable alternative power source to facilitate AI development, reflecting a shift in energy strategy within the tech industry [6] - Oklo's CEO emphasized the realization of advanced nuclear power generation in Ohio, showcasing the collaboration with Meta as a pivotal moment in the industry's evolution [7]

Core Insights - Meta Platforms Inc. has agreed to purchase nuclear power from Oklo Inc. and Vistra Corp. to support its artificial intelligence data centers, leading to significant stock price increases for both companies [1][3] Company Summary - Oklo shares surged by as much as 19%, while Vistra shares increased by up to 16% following the announcement [1] - The partnership includes a 20-year power purchase agreement with Vistra and a deal with Oklo to advance small modular reactor development, which has not yet been commercialized [3] - Oklo's stock has seen a remarkable increase of over 200% in 2025, while Vistra's shares gained 17% in 2025 after a rise of over 200% in 2024 [4] Industry Summary - The nuclear power industry is experiencing a revival, driven by tech companies' demand for new energy sources to power their expanding data centers [2][3] - The industry had faced challenges with rising costs and reactor shutdowns, but the recent developments have positively impacted stock prices and investor sentiment [2][4] - Analysts view the commitment from major tech firms as a significant endorsement for the nuclear energy sector, which is crucial for addressing energy supply concerns amid rising energy bills for households and businesses [2]

About this content About Emily Jarvie Emily began her career as a political journalist for Australian Community Media in Hobart, Tasmania. After she relocated to Toronto, Canada, she reported on business, legal, and scientific developments in the emerging psychedelics sector before joining Proactive in 2022. She brings a strong journalism background with her work featured in newspapers, magazines, and digital publications across Australia, Europe, and North America, including The Examiner, The Advocate, ...

Core Insights - Nuclear stocks surged significantly on Friday, with Oklo Inc rising nearly 19%, Vistra Energy up over 16%, NuScale Power increasing by nearly 13%, and NANO Nuclear Energy gaining over 11% [1] - Meta announced agreements with three nuclear power suppliers: Oklo, Vistra, and TerraPower, to purchase electricity from their nuclear plants, which will help fund the expansion and extend the operational life of these facilities [1] Group 1 - Meta's agreements will provide up to 6.6 gigawatts of nuclear power capacity by 2035, positioning the company as one of the largest corporate nuclear power purchasers in U.S. history [2] - The operational licenses for the nuclear plants involved are valid until at least 2036, with one reactor at Beaver Valley authorized to operate until 2047 [1]

Market Overview - US stock index futures are all up, with Dow futures rising by 0.04%, S&P 500 futures by 0.11%, and Nasdaq futures by 0.20% [1] - European indices also show positive movement, with Germany's DAX up 0.41%, UK's FTSE 100 up 0.52%, France's CAC 40 up 0.86%, and the Euro Stoxx 50 up 1.06% [2][3] - WTI crude oil has increased by 0.73%, priced at $58.18 per barrel, while Brent crude oil is also up by 0.73%, priced at $62.44 per barrel [3][4] Economic Events - The US is anticipating a significant day with the release of the December non-farm payroll report and a Supreme Court ruling on Trump's tariff policy, which could impact market volatility [5] - Goldman Sachs indicates that the upcoming non-farm data is unlikely to change the market's expectations for the Federal Reserve's policy unless there is a significant surprise, with a consensus estimate of 70,000 jobs added [5] Company News - Meta has signed three major nuclear energy agreements totaling 6.6 gigawatts to secure long-term zero-carbon power for its AI data centers, leading to significant pre-market stock increases for partners Oklo and Vistra [9] - Trump has directed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase $200 billion in mortgage-backed securities to lower housing costs ahead of the midterm elections, positively impacting related stocks [7] - Intel's stock has surged over 70% since the US government began purchasing shares, following a meeting between Trump and Intel's CEO to discuss new processor developments [10] - General Motors is taking a $6 billion charge to reduce its electric vehicle investments, following a similar move by Ford, indicating a contraction in the electric vehicle market [12] - TSMC reported a 20% increase in Q4 revenue, reaching approximately $33.1 billion, exceeding market expectations and suggesting resilience in AI spending for 2026 [13]

Core Viewpoint - Meta has announced agreements to extend and expand the operation of three nuclear power plants, positioning itself as a significant corporate nuclear energy purchaser in U.S. history [1] Group 1: Agreements and Partnerships - Meta has reached agreements with Vistra, TerraPower, and Oklo to enhance nuclear power operations [1] - This follows a previous agreement with Constellation Energy, further solidifying Meta's role in the nuclear energy sector [1] Group 2: Economic Impact - The agreements are expected to create thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of long-term operational positions [1] - By 2035, these initiatives will support up to 6.6 gigawatts of new and existing clean energy [1]

Core Insights - Meta Platforms has entered into 20-year agreements to purchase power from three Vistra nuclear plants located in the U.S. heartland [1] - The company is also collaborating with two firms that are working on developing small modular reactors [1] Group 1 - Meta Platforms aims to secure long-term energy supply through these agreements, indicating a strategic move towards sustainable energy sources [1] - The partnerships with companies focused on small modular reactors suggest a commitment to innovative energy solutions and diversification of energy sources [1]

Core Insights - Vistra has entered into 20-year power purchase agreements (PPAs) to provide over 2,600 megawatts of zero-carbon energy to support Meta's operations, marking the largest nuclear uprates supported by a corporate customer in the U.S. [1][2] - The agreements will enhance local economic development, protect existing jobs, and create new employment opportunities while increasing the energy output of three Vistra nuclear plants [1][5][6] Company Developments - The PPAs include 2,176 MW of operating generation and an additional 433 MW from power output increases, with the full capacity expected to be online by 2034 [1][3] - Vistra plans to pursue subsequent license extensions for all three plants, potentially extending operations for another 20 years [1][4] Economic Impact - The nuclear plants have historically contributed significantly to local economies, generating tens of millions of dollars in state and local taxes annually, alongside charitable contributions and community involvement [5] - The uprate projects are expected to create approximately 3,000 project-related jobs over nine years, enhancing the economic impact around the plants [6][7] Political Support - Local and state officials have expressed strong support for the agreements, highlighting their importance for job creation, economic growth, and energy security in Ohio and Pennsylvania [8][9][10][11][12][13] Plant Details - The three plants involved are Perry (1,268 MW), Davis-Besse (908 MW), and Beaver Valley (1,872 MW), collectively providing thousands of permanent, well-paying jobs [14]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that Vistra (VST) is well-positioned to benefit from the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and the increasing demand for energy from data centers [1][3] - Vistra is the largest power producer and seller in the U.S., with a diverse portfolio including nuclear, coal, natural gas, solar, and energy storage assets [2] - The company recently acquired Cogentrix Energy for $4.7 billion to meet the surging energy demand, adding 10 natural gas facilities to its operations [3] Group 2 - Vistra's current market capitalization is $51 billion, with a recent price of $150.60 and a day's change of -2.59% [4] - The company has a gross margin of 38.78% and a dividend yield of 0.60%, but its forward-looking price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 17 is significantly above its five-year average of 12 [5] - For investors seeking exposure to the energy sector, an energy-focused exchange-traded fund (ETF) like the Vanguard Energy Index ETF (VDE) may offer a more attractive valuation compared to individual stocks [6]