The Motley Fool·2026-01-16 22:30Industry Overview - Nuclear energy is experiencing a resurgence in the United States due to increased demand driven by artificial intelligence, favorable government policies, and shifting public perception [1] - Investments in nuclear power are long-term commitments, as building new reactors takes years and their operational lifespan can extend up to 80 years [2] Company Analysis: Cameco - Cameco is the second-largest uranium miner globally, producing 17% of the world's uranium consumed in 2024 [4] - The company has a market capitalization of $49 billion and a current stock price of $116.38, with a gross margin of 26.65% and a net income margin of 15.18% [5][6] - Cameco's revenue has a three-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.18%, and its stock has increased by 124% over the past 12 months, outperforming the S&P 500 [6] - The annual dividend is $0.17 per share, yielding 0.16%, which is considered low for a dividend stock despite a history of slight growth over the past two years [6][12] Company Analysis: Duke Energy - Duke Energy operates 11 nuclear reactors across six plants in the Carolinas and has a diverse energy production portfolio [8] - The company has a market capitalization of $92 billion and a current stock price of $119.22, with a gross margin of 32.12% and a net margin of 15.97% [9][10][11] - Duke Energy's revenue has a three-year CAGR of 5.29%, which is slower than Cameco's, but it maintains a strong dividend yield of 3.65% with an annual dividend of $4.26 per share [11][12] - The southern U.S. is experiencing significant population growth, which is expected to drive demand for Duke's power services [10]