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LEU vs. UEC: Which Uranium Stock Offers Better Upside Now?
ZACKS· 2025-11-25 18:00
Core Insights - Centrus Energy (LEU) and Uranium Energy (UEC) are positioned to benefit from the U.S. focus on nuclear energy independence, despite current uranium price pressures [1][2] - The long-term outlook for uranium remains strong due to the clean energy push and its strategic importance highlighted by the U.S. Geological Survey [2] Centrus Energy (LEU) - Centrus Energy supplies components of nuclear fuel, including Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) and natural uranium hexafluoride [3][4] - In Q3 2025, Centrus reported total revenues of $75 million, a 30% increase year-over-year, with LEU segment revenues rising 29% to $44.8 million [5] - The company experienced an operating loss of $16.6 million, attributed to increased sales costs and project expenses [6] - Despite the operating loss, Centrus posted a net income of $3.9 million due to tax benefits and higher investment income [7] - Centrus holds a $3.9 billion revenue backlog with long-term contracts through 2040 and is the only licensed U.S. producer of High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) [7][8] - The HALEU market is projected to grow from $0.26 billion in 2025 to $6.14 billion by 2035, with Centrus planning to expand production capacity [9][10] Uranium Energy (UEC) - UEC has a production capacity of 12.1 million pounds of uranium and reported fiscal 2025 revenues of $66.84 million, a significant increase from $0.2 million in the prior year [12][13] - Operating costs surged 104% to $66 million due to higher development spending, leading to a loss of 20 cents per share in fiscal 2025 [14][15] - UEC is transitioning from developer to producer, successfully restarting operations at the Christensen Ranch ISR Mine [17] - The company acquired Rio Tinto's Sweetwater Complex, adding significant resources and establishing a vertically integrated production platform [19] Financial Estimates and Valuation - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Centrus Energy's 2025 revenues is $448.6 million, indicating a 1.5% growth, while UEC's fiscal 2026 revenues are estimated at $72.9 million, reflecting a 9% improvement [19][22] - Centrus Energy's shares have surged 275.1% year-to-date, while UEC shares have gained 80.7% [27] - Centrus is trading at a forward price-to-sales multiple of 9.29X, significantly lower than UEC's 63.96X [29] - Centrus Energy is viewed as a more attractive investment option due to upward estimate revisions and its unique position in the HALEU market [32]
LEU's Premium Valuation: Is the Stock a Buy, Hold or Sell Now?
ZACKS· 2025-10-06 14:56
Core Insights - Centrus Energy (LEU) is positioned to become a key player in the U.S. nuclear energy sector, supported by a favorable long-term outlook for uranium and strategic investments in production expansion [1][9][25] - The stock is currently trading at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 12.68, significantly higher than the industry average of 3.36 and the five-year median of 2.01, indicating an expensive valuation [1][2] Financial Performance - Centrus Energy's stock has increased by 431.2% year-to-date, outperforming the industry, which has seen a decline of 6.3% [4] - The company reported total revenues of $155 million in Q2 2025, an 18% decrease year-over-year, primarily due to the absence of uranium sales [15] - Earnings per share fell by 16% to $1.59, despite higher gross profit, due to increased selling, general, and administrative expenses [16] Production and Expansion Plans - Centrus Energy plans to expand its uranium enrichment plant in Piketon, Ohio, to increase production of Low-Enriched Uranium and High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) [9][12] - The company has raised over $1.2 billion and secured $2 billion in commitments to fund this expansion [7][12] - Centrus is the only U.S.-based enricher that manufactures centrifuges using American technology, differentiating it from foreign competitors [13] Market Outlook - Uranium prices have recently risen to $82 per pound, driven by expectations of increased nuclear power capacity and policy initiatives [17] - The HALEU market is projected to grow from $0.26 billion in 2025 to $6.14 billion by 2035, with Centrus aiming to meet domestic demand through its expansion plans [23] Debt and Valuation Concerns - Centrus Energy has a total debt-to-total capital ratio of 0.55, which is higher than peers like Cameco (0.13) and Energy Fuels (debt-free) [18] - Despite upward revisions in earnings estimates, the projected earnings for 2025 and 2026 indicate year-over-year declines of 3.4% and 24.7%, respectively [19][20]
LEU vs. UEC: Which Uranium Stock is the Smarter Bet Right Now?
ZACKS· 2025-09-18 15:26
Core Insights - Centrus Energy (LEU) and Uranium Energy (UEC) are positioned to benefit from the U.S. push for nuclear energy independence [1] - Uranium prices have faced challenges this year but have recently recovered to around $76.50 per pound, although still down 3.7% year over year [2] - Global nuclear power interest is increasing, with the U.S. aiming to quadruple its nuclear capacity to 400 GW by 2050, which could drive long-term uranium demand [3] Centrus Energy Overview - Centrus Energy supplies components of nuclear fuel, including Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) and natural uranium hexafluoride [4][6] - The Technical Solutions segment provides advanced uranium enrichment services and technical services to government and private sectors [5] - In Q2 2025, Centrus reported total revenues of $155 million, down 18% year over year, with LEU segment revenues falling 26% to $125.7 million [6][7] - Centrus has a $3.6 billion revenue backlog with long-term contracts through 2040 [7] - The company is the only U.S. entity licensed for High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) production, with a contract extension from the DOE for production through June 30, 2026 [8][10] - HALEU market value is projected to grow from $0.26 billion in 2025 to $6.2 billion by 2035 [10] Uranium Energy Overview - Uranium Energy has a production capacity of 12.1 million pounds from three processing plants and holds the largest resource portfolio in the U.S. [12] - The company did not generate revenues in the last reported quarter due to market volatility [12] - Adjusted loss per share was six cents, with a 70% increase in operating expenses [13] - UEC is investing in low-cost uranium projects using in-situ recovery (ISR) mining to reduce environmental impact [14] - The company restarted uranium extraction at Christensen Ranch Mine in August 2024, with ongoing construction at other projects [15][16] Financial Estimates and Performance - Centrus Energy's 2025 revenue estimate is $451.4 million, indicating 2.1% growth, while earnings are expected to decline by 5.4% [18] - Uranium Energy's 2025 revenue estimate is $79.7 million, a significant improvement from the previous year, but a loss of 17 cents per share is anticipated [20] - Centrus shares have surged 245.5% year to date, while UEC shares have gained 83% [23] - Centrus is trading at a forward price-to-sales multiple of 8.58X, compared to UEC's 56.89X [25] Investment Comparison - Both companies face short-term revenue challenges due to weak uranium prices, but are ramping up capabilities for future demand [26] - Centrus Energy has a competitive edge as the only U.S. company licensed to produce HALEU [26] - Centrus appears more attractive in terms of valuation and price performance, with upward estimate revisions, while UEC faces downward revisions and expected losses [27]
Uranium Energy Corp and Radiant Industries Announce U.S. Uranium Supply Agreement to Support Deployment of Microreactors, Building the Full Nuclear Power Value Chain in America
Prnewswire· 2025-05-07 11:00
Core Insights - Uranium Energy Corp (UEC) and Radiant Industries have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on advancing nuclear energy and building a complete nuclear value chain in the U.S. [1][2] - UEC will supply U.S. origin uranium concentrates to Radiant as part of their collaboration [2] - The partnership aims to support the development of Radiant's Kaleidos Portable Nuclear Microreactor, emphasizing the importance of a secure domestic fuel supply chain for nuclear energy in the U.S. [3] Company Overview - UEC is recognized as America's largest and fastest-growing supplier of uranium, focusing on environmentally friendly in-situ recovery (ISR) mining projects in the U.S. and high-grade conventional projects in Canada [6] - UEC operates three ISR hub-and-spoke platforms in South Texas and Wyoming, with a pipeline of satellite ISR projects, including seven that have major permits in place [6] - The company has diversified uranium holdings, including a significant physical uranium portfolio and a major equity stake in Uranium Royalty Corp [6] Industry Context - The collaboration between UEC and Radiant aligns with the U.S. government's push for energy independence and the acceleration of advanced nuclear technologies [4] - Radiant is developing the world's first mass-produced nuclear microreactors, with plans to test its first reactor in 2026 and begin customer deployments in 2028 [5] - The partnership aims to scale production of portable microreactors to 50 units per year, highlighting the strategic importance of building a domestic nuclear value chain [4][5]