Industry Overview - The Zacks Utility Electric - Power industry is undergoing a significant transformation driven by increased electricity demand from data centers, transportation electrification, and grid modernization efforts [1] - Utilities are investing heavily to enhance grid resilience, upgrade infrastructure, integrate renewable energy, and comply with regulations [1][2] - The sector continues to provide stable cash flows, steady returns, and regular dividends, supported by substantial capital expenditures focused on long-term growth and sustainability [1] Company Insights PPL Corporation - PPL plans to invest $20 billion from 2025 to 2028 to modernize its infrastructure, aiming to strengthen the grid and support electrification [3] - The company is collaborating with the Department of Energy to explore the feasibility of building small nuclear reactors [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PPL's earnings indicates year-over-year growth of 7.1% for 2025 and 8.29% for 2026, with a long-term growth rate of 7.34% [6] Duke Energy Corporation - Duke Energy intends to invest $87 billion between 2025 and 2029, focusing on grid modernization and transitioning to low-carbon energy sources [4] - The company is actively pursuing nuclear energy expansion as part of its clean energy strategy, particularly in the Carolinas [4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Duke Energy's earnings implies year-over-year growth of 7.29% for 2025 and 6.08% for 2026, with a long-term growth rate of 6.43% [9] Financial Metrics - Duke Energy's debt-to-capital ratio is 61.74%, while PPL's is 55.47%, both above the industry average of 61.16% [16] - Return on equity (ROE) for PPL is 8.81%, compared to Duke Energy's 9.85%, both below the industry average of 10.35% [17] - PPL's current dividend yield is 2.95%, while Duke Energy's is 3.39%, with Duke having raised its dividend five times in the past five years [19] Valuation and Performance - PPL trades at a premium with a Price/Earnings Forward 12-month ratio of 18.84X, while Duke Energy's is 18.7X, compared to the industry average of 15.42X [20] - In the past six months, PPL's shares have gained 1.1%, while Duke Energy's shares have returned 2.5% [22] - Duke Energy currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), while PPL has a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell) [25]

Core Insights - Mirion Technologies' shares surged 18.2% following a strong earnings report, driven by growth in its nuclear energy-related business [1] Financial Performance - In Q3, Mirion reported a revenue increase of 7.9% to $223.1 million and a 50% rise in non-GAAP earnings per share to $0.12, both exceeding expectations [2] - The company anticipates 7% to 9% growth for the year, with approximately 1 percentage point attributed to recent acquisitions in the nuclear segment [3] - Adjusted EPS is projected at $0.50 at the midpoint, with adjusted free cash flow expected between $100 million and $115 million, with the lower end of guidance raised since the last quarter [3] Segment Analysis - The nuclear segment is the larger and faster-growing part of Mirion's business, achieving 9% growth last quarter to $144.6 million, making up nearly two-thirds of total revenue, while the medical segment grew only 5.9% [4] - A 21% increase in the nuclear safety segment order book was reported, driven by a significant order from a small modular reactor customer, although the medical order book declined [5] Market Trends - The nuclear energy sector has seen substantial growth, with Mirion's stock up 70.3% for 2025, currently trading at over 70 times this year's adjusted free cash flow estimates [7] - Despite strong results, the stock is considered expensive, with expectations of mid-single-digit organic growth this year [9]

Nuclear Energy's Potential - Nuclear energy is considered a clean, efficient, and safe base load energy source [1][2] - The industry anticipates a doubling of grid energy use within the next 15 years, potentially even more [2] - Nuclear energy is deemed inevitable and necessary to meet future energy demands, especially with the rise of artificial intelligence [2] Investment Strategy - The company invests with a long-term vision, prioritizing downside protection [3] - The company believes that focusing on long-term vision will lead to positive outcomes [3] Energy Mix - A diverse energy portfolio, including solar, gas, nuclear, and hydro, is crucial [3] - The industry emphasizes the importance of focusing on all available energy sources [3]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.53, raising the bottom of its guidance by $0.10 due to strong financial results and sales growth [4][21] - Weather-adjusted sales increased approximately 4.5%, with industrial sales growing more than 7% primarily from new and expansion customers [21][22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved a first quartile net promoter score for utility residential service, maintaining this position [4] - The digital LIHEAP platform received a Silver Best Practices Award for excellence in serving vulnerable customers [7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Entergy Mississippi announced a $300 million investment to improve grid reliability, expected to reduce outages by half within five years [8] - The data center pipeline has grown to 7-12 GW based on active customer conversations, indicating strong demand for energy infrastructure [9][10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on maintaining low rates for customers while managing fuel volatility through hedging programs [5][6] - Entergy is actively pursuing new industrial customers, including hyperscale data centers, while ensuring they contribute fairly to energy infrastructure costs [7][9] - The capital plan for 2026-2029 is set at $41 billion, with $4.4 billion in equity planned, indicating a proactive approach to funding growth [23][24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving long-term growth outlooks, supported by strong customer demand and regulatory mechanisms [4][19] - The company anticipates continued significant transmission investment driven by customer needs and growth in service territories [49][50] Other Important Information - The company has secured approximately 75% of critical equipment for owned projects, with a clear line of sight for the remaining 25% [11] - Entergy Texas was awarded $200 million in grant funding for resilience projects, enhancing storm readiness without additional costs to customers [15] Q&A Session Summary Question: Updated CapEx plan and 4.5 GW of power island equipment - The $41 billion CapEx includes capital needed to support forecasted load, with the 4.5 GW supporting additional customers in the pipeline [31] Question: Long-term EPS growth outlook beyond 2030 - Management indicated good visibility through 2029, with potential for long-term growth opportunities as additional customers are secured [32] Question: Customer demand for renewable components - The company is exploring all types of resources, including gas and renewables, to meet customer needs [34] Question: Arkansas project ramp-up and local stakeholder views - The project is in early stages, with strong local support and expected to proceed as planned [46] Question: Impact of large customers on existing customers - Large new customers are expected to help existing customers by covering incremental costs during construction [106] Question: Potential for onsite power generation by data centers - While data centers could self-generate, they prefer to avoid capital investment in generation, allowing Entergy to build nearby generation facilities [103] Question: Arkansas rate case filing - The team is still working on the case, but benefits from large new customers are expected to be outlined in the filing [106] Question: Clarification on 8 GW for additional growth - The 8 GW represents growth opportunities above the forecast, with a total of 19.5 GW now identified [87] Question: Renewable commitments for hyperscalers - Additional renewables are expected to be associated with large hyperscale deployments, complementing gas commitments [88]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.53, raising the bottom of its guidance by $0.10 due to strong financial results and sales growth [3][19] - Weather-adjusted sales increased approximately 4.5%, with industrial sales growing over 7% primarily from new and expansion customers [19][20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved a first quartile net promoter score for utility residential service, maintaining this position [3] - The digital LIHEAP platform received a Silver Best Practices Award for excellence in serving vulnerable customers [5] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Entergy Mississippi announced a $300 million investment to improve grid reliability, aiming to reduce outages by half within five years [6][7] - The data center pipeline has grown to 7 to 12 gigawatts based on active customer conversations [8][9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on maintaining low rates for customers while managing fuel volatility through hedging programs [4] - Entergy is actively pursuing new industrial customers, including hyperscale data centers, while ensuring they contribute fairly to energy infrastructure investments [5][8] - The capital plan for 2026 through 2029 is set at $41 billion, with $4.4 billion in equity planned [21][22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving long-term growth outlooks, supported by a strong customer pipeline and ongoing investments in reliability and resilience [18][24] - The company is well-positioned to respond to national security priorities through rapid energy deployment [17][18] Other Important Information - The company has secured approximately 75% of critical equipment for owned projects, with a clear line of sight for the remaining 25% [10] - Entergy Texas was awarded $200 million in grant funding for resilience projects, with no cost to customers [13] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on CapEx plan and 4.5 gigawatts of power equipment - The $41 billion CapEx includes capital needed to support forecasted load, with the 4.5 gigawatts supporting additional customers [28] Question: Long-term EPS growth outlook beyond 2030 - The company has good visibility through 2029 and sees long-term opportunities beyond that period [29] Question: Customer resource mix preferences - The company is exploring both gas and renewable resources to meet customer needs, with an all-of-the-above approach [30][31] Question: Timeframe for 4.5 gigawatts of power equipment - The six units are expected to support commercial operations in 2031 and 2032, with ongoing discussions for additional turbine supply [46][47] Question: Potential for onsite power generation by data centers - The company is building generation close to customer locations, and customers prefer to avoid capital investment in generation [81] Question: Arkansas rate case filing - The team is still working on the case, and benefits from large new customers will be outlined in the filing [84] Question: Breakdown of the 12-gigawatt pipeline - The pipeline includes opportunities at various stages but does not include signed ESAs until certainty is achieved [63] Question: Clarification on 8 gigawatts for additional growth - The company clarified that the 8 gigawatts is part of the overall forecast, with additional growth opportunities identified [72] Question: Renewable commitments for hyperscalers - The company expects additional renewables associated with large hyperscale deployments, with ongoing discussions for solar projects [73]

Sarah Eisen talked with Brookfield's Bruce Flatt at the FII conference in Riad and started by asking him about the deal. >> President Trump and uh Commerce Secretary Lutnik uh announced a number of deals uh for the Japanese fund to invest in the United States. And uh the one that we're involved in is uh an $80 billion investment into new nuclear plants in the United States.And uh we're super excited about this. And and probably the most important thing isn't the 80 billion, but we needed to have scale to be ...

Core Insights - Apollo and 8VC have formed a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating the American Industrial Renaissance by providing flexible capital solutions to high-growth companies in various sectors [1][2] - The collaboration will focus on deploying several billion dollars to support technology companies involved in advanced manufacturing, aerospace, energy, life sciences, logistics, and natural resources [1][2] Group 1: Partnership Objectives - The initiative is designed to support capital-intensive businesses that are developing large-scale physical and digital infrastructure for the future [2] - The partnership combines Apollo's asset-backed solutions and long-term capital with 8VC's domain knowledge and entrepreneurial capabilities [2][3] - The collaboration will also involve Cadma, Apollo's platform dedicated to the innovation economy, which provides flexible financing to venture and growth companies [2] Group 2: Market Needs and Solutions - There is a growing need for creative, non-dilutive capital to support companies driving industrial innovation [3] - Structured and asset-backed solutions are seen as essential to bridge the funding gap and unlock capital for transformative companies [3] - The partnership aims to prioritize opportunities anchored by real assets, long-term contracts, and established operating models [3] Group 3: Company Profiles - Apollo is a global alternative asset manager with approximately $840 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2025, focusing on providing innovative capital solutions for growth [4] - 8VC is an early-stage technology investment firm that invests in and builds companies in critical industries such as defense, logistics, and healthcare [6]

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung asked US President Donald Trump to allow Seoul to get supplies of nuclear fuel for submarines and to revise a decades-old nuclear energy agreement https://t.co/WPQdptdZzF ...

Core Insights - Joby's stock has been stagnant recently, while investor interest has shifted towards sectors like quantum computing and nuclear energy [1] - Joby has shown strong performance in 2025, indicating potential growth despite current market conditions [1] Company Analysis - Narweena, an asset management firm, focuses on identifying market dislocations due to misinterpretations of long-term business prospects [1] - The firm aims to achieve excess risk-adjusted returns by targeting businesses with secular growth opportunities in markets with high entry barriers [1] - Narweena's investment strategy emphasizes company and industry fundamentals to uncover unique insights, with a preference for smaller cap stocks [1] Market Trends - An aging population with low growth and stagnating productivity is expected to create new investment opportunities, differing from past trends [1] - Many industries may experience stagnation or secular decline, which could paradoxically enhance business performance due to reduced competition [1] - The economy is increasingly influenced by asset-light businesses, leading to a declining need for infrastructure investments [1] - A growing pool of capital is competing for a limited number of investment opportunities, resulting in rising asset prices and compressed risk premiums over time [1]

Core Insights - Nuclear energy is experiencing a resurgence as a viable clean energy source, projected to become the world's second-largest low carbon electricity source by 2024, with U.S. generation capacity expected to quadruple by 2050 [1][2]. Company Summaries 1. Oklo - Oklo is developing a small, fast-spectrum reactor named Aurora, capable of supplying up to 75 megawatts of electric power, suitable for data centers [4]. - The reactor is designed to operate on high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), allowing for up to 10 years of operation without refueling [5]. - Currently pre-revenue and awaiting regulatory approval, Oklo is part of a government program to expedite the permitting process, aiming to activate its first reactor by mid-2026 [7]. 2. Centrus Energy - Centrus Energy is the only U.S. company licensed to produce HALEU, making it a critical partner for Oklo [8]. - The company primarily generates revenue from low-enriched uranium (LEU) sales, with some procurement from foreign sources [10]. - Centrus has a contract with the U.S. Department of Energy to produce HALEU through June 30, 2026, with options for eight additional years, positioning it as a key supplier for the domestic HALEU market [11]. 3. NuScale Power - NuScale is designing small modular reactors (SMRs) and has received design approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, marking it as the first and only SMR to achieve this [12]. - The company is currently engaged in front-end engineering work for Romania's first SMR power plant, with a decision on full construction expected by mid-2026 [13]. - Like Oklo and Centrus, NuScale's technology remains unproven at a commercial scale, indicating potential volatility as it seeks to generate revenue [14].