ZACKSยท2025-08-20 13:36Core Viewpoint - The nuclear energy sector is gaining attention amid the AI revolution, with significant backing from the U.S. government, tech giants, and Wall Street, presenting investment opportunities in both established companies like Constellation Energy (CEG) and speculative newcomers like Oklo Inc. (OKLO) [1][2] Group 1: Company Profiles - Constellation Energy is the largest U.S. nuclear power plant operator, characterized as a mature and dominant force in the industry [2] - Oklo is a next-generation fission company focused on developing micro nuclear reactors and is currently a pre-revenue firm [3][4] Group 2: Business Models - Oklo plans to sell power directly to customers through long-term contracts, aiming to create recurring revenue streams [3] - Constellation has secured long-term power purchase agreements with major companies like Microsoft and Meta, ensuring revenue stability [6] Group 3: Financial Health - Oklo has raised over $400 million to fund its plans, projecting $5 billion in annual revenues by 2028 from a 14 GW order pipeline [4] - Constellation's free cash flow is approximately $2 billion negative due to capital expenditures and acquisitions, but it has a strong dividend growth outlook [8] Group 4: Market Performance - Oklo's stock has surged over 822% in the past year, reflecting speculative interest, while CEG has seen a more modest gain of 61% [9] Group 5: Valuation Metrics - Oklo trades at a high price-to-book (P/B) ratio of 13.11, indicating heavy investor optimism despite being pre-revenue [10] - Constellation trades at a more reasonable P/B ratio of 7.2, reflecting its established business model and earnings track record [10] Group 6: Earnings Outlook - Oklo is projected to have a loss of 50 cents per share in 2025, with further declines expected in 2026 [11] - Constellation is expected to see a 9% year-over-year gain in EPS for 2025, with estimates of $9.41 and $11.86 for 2025 and 2026, respectively [14] Conclusion - Constellation Energy is viewed as a more prudent investment due to its stable business, strong earnings profile, and strategic partnerships, while Oklo presents a high-risk, high-reward opportunity [15]