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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]