Centrus Energy (US:LEU) The Motley Fool·2025-09-20 07:19Industry Overview - Nuclear energy is experiencing a resurgence due to its zero-emission status and ability to support energy-intensive AI data centers with reliable power [2][3] - Governments are investing billions to enhance nuclear energy capacity, with the U.S. government taking executive actions to revitalize its domestic nuclear supply chain [2] Company Analysis: Oklo - Oklo is a pioneering nuclear start-up focused on advanced nuclear technology, specifically small modular reactors (SMRs), and has seen its stock rise over 1,360% year over year, with a market valuation of $13.4 billion [5][10] - The company is pre-revenue and is not expected to generate revenue until 2027, facing regulatory challenges including a denied license application in 2022 [5][8] - Oklo has strategic partnerships, including a 20-year power deal with Diamondback Energy and a collaboration with Centrus Energy for high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) [9][10] Company Analysis: Centrus Energy - Centrus Energy is the only U.S.-owned company licensed to produce HALEU, which is essential for next-generation reactors, and is positioned to become a key fuel supplier [11][12] - The company has made significant progress, including building 16 advanced centrifuges and delivering nearly 1 metric ton of HALEU to the U.S. Department of Energy, with a contract extension into Phase III [14] - Centrus trades at a premium with a valuation of about 56 times forward earnings, and while it has $833 million in cash and a $3.6 billion backlog, its production capacity needs expansion to meet future demands [15]