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UUUU vs. CCJ: Which Uranium Stock is the Better Buy Now?
ZACKSยท 2025-07-24 16:50
Core Insights - Energy Fuels Inc. (UUUU) and Cameco Corporation (CCJ) are significant players in the uranium production industry, expected to contribute notably to the global nuclear energy supply chain [1] Group 1: Uranium Market Overview - Uranium prices have recently declined to $71 per pound, down 14.3% year-over-year, following a brief surge to $79 in late June [2] - The long-term outlook for uranium remains strong due to the increasing demand for clean energy, particularly with U.S. government initiatives to quadruple nuclear energy capacity by 2050 [3] Group 2: Energy Fuels Analysis - Energy Fuels has been the leading U.S. producer of natural uranium concentrate, accounting for two-thirds of U.S. production since 2017 [4] - The White Mesa Mill in Utah is the only fully licensed conventional uranium processing facility in the U.S., with the Pinyon Plain mine expected to be the highest-grade uranium deposit in U.S. history [5] - Energy Fuels anticipates mining 55,000-80,000 tons of ore containing approximately 875,000-1,435,000 pounds of uranium in 2025, a 22% increase from previous guidance [6] - The company sold 50,000 pounds of uranium at $77.00 per pound in Q2 and expects to sell 140,000 pounds in Q3 and 160,000 pounds in Q4 under long-term contracts [7] - Energy Fuels is pioneering heavy rare earth element (HREE) production in the U.S., crucial for the permanent magnet industry [8] - The Donald Project in Australia is expected to start production by the end of 2027, with significant quantities of REE oxides in Madagascar and Brazil [9] - The company has a debt-free balance sheet and aims to ramp up uranium production to 6 million pounds annually [10] Group 3: Cameco Analysis - Cameco accounted for 16% of global uranium production in 2024 and plans to produce 18 million pounds at key sites in 2025 [13] - The company targets uranium deliveries of 31-34 million pounds in 2025, with production at joint venture Inkai resuming after a temporary suspension [15] - Cameco's financial strength is highlighted by a total debt to total capital ratio of 0.15 as of March 31, 2025, and plans to extend the mine life at Cigar Lake to 2036 [17] - The company expects a $170 million increase in its equity share of Westinghouse Electric's adjusted EBITDA due to nuclear reactor construction projects [18][19] Group 4: Financial Estimates and Performance - Energy Fuels' 2025 revenue is expected to drop by 41.24%, with a projected loss of $0.27 per share, while 2026 estimates show a 199.8% revenue surge and a potential profit of $0.06 per share [20][21] - Cameco's 2025 revenue is projected to grow by 10.2%, with earnings expected to increase by 120.4% [22] - Year-to-date, Energy Fuels stock has appreciated 84.8%, outperforming Cameco's 54.1% gain [24] - Energy Fuels trades at a forward price-to-sales multiple of 19.34X, while Cameco's is at 13.21X [26] Group 5: Conclusion - Both companies face short-term revenue challenges due to weak uranium prices, but Energy Fuels offers diversification through rare earth elements, while Cameco benefits from its fuel services business [27] - Energy Fuels has a stronger balance sheet and stock momentum, making it a more compelling investment choice compared to Cameco [28]