Up Over 55% in 2025, Is Cameco Stock the Next Big Thing?

Core Insights - Cameco, the world's second-largest uranium miner, has experienced a significant recovery in revenue, nearly doubling from $1.2 billion in 2021 to $2.3 billion in 2024, driven by rising uranium prices and increased demand for nuclear energy [2][3]. Company Performance - From 2011 to 2021, Cameco's revenue declined from $2.4 billion to $1.2 billion due to factors such as the Fukushima disaster, COVID-19 pandemic, and a weak Canadian dollar [2]. - The year-end spot price for uranium increased from $35.00 in 2020 to $72.63 in 2024, reflecting a recovery fueled by low-carbon initiatives and geopolitical conflicts [3]. - Cameco's stock reached a record high of $106.91 on October 28, marking a 320% gain over the previous four years, although it has since pulled back to $79 [4]. Business Model Evolution - Cameco operates uranium mines in Canada, the U.S., and Kazakhstan, accounting for approximately 17% of global uranium production in 2024 [5]. - The company increased its stake in Global Laser Enrichment from 24% to 49% in 2021, integrating laser-based enrichment into its operations [6]. - In 2023, Cameco acquired a 49% stake in Westinghouse Electric, diversifying its business and reducing volatility in its core mining operations [7]. Future Growth Prospects - For 2025, Cameco expects uranium revenue to rise by 8%, delivering between 31 million to 34 million pounds of uranium at an average realized price of approximately $87 per pound [10]. - Analysts project a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8% for revenue and 90% for earnings per share (EPS) from 2024 to 2027, driven by the expansion of cloud and AI markets and renewed interest in nuclear energy [11]. - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) anticipates a 2.5 times increase in global nuclear capacity from 2024 to 2050, indicating strong long-term growth potential for the nuclear energy sector [7]. Market Position and Valuation - Cameco's stock is currently valued at 52 times next year's earnings, suggesting it may be expensive, but it has significant growth potential as it is still in the early stages of its growth cycle [12].