Winter Symposium Highlights Political Longevity, Big Tech Tailwinds for Nuclear Energy

Core Insights - Nuclear energy is experiencing significant growth in 2026, driven by strong government support, backing from Big Tech, and a global trend towards increasing carbon-free energy capacity [1] - The VettaFi Nuclear Renaissance Index has risen 14% year-to-date as of January 28, 2026, outperforming the S&P 500, which increased by approximately 2% during the same period [1] - The sector has received substantial capital investments, including a $2.7 billion award from the Department of Energy for uranium enrichment [1] Government and Private Sector Support - Nuclear energy benefits from unique bipartisan support in the U.S., leading to sustained policy momentum across different administrations [1] - Meta has signed a 20-year agreement with Vistra for over 2.6 gigawatts of power and partnered with Oklo to finance a 1.2 gigawatt small modular reactor project in Ohio [1] Index and ETF Performance - The VettaFi Nuclear Renaissance Index (NUKZX) aims to maximize risk-adjusted returns by diversifying across various sectors, including construction, services, utilities, fuel, and advanced reactors [1] - The Range Nuclear Renaissance ETF (NUKZ) provides a single-ticker solution for investors to capture the entire nuclear supply chain, with traditional asset allocators increasingly adding NUKZ to their portfolios [1] Market Trends and Future Outlook - Advisors are using NUKZ as a satellite allocation alongside AI investments, recognizing that the demand for AI will drive global energy demand [1] - The nuclear sector is transitioning from a traditional utility model to a high-growth technology enabler, indicating a shift in market dynamics [1]