Key Points Oklo is a nuclear startup in the pre-revenue phase of development. Eventually, the company hopes to build small modular reactors (SMRs) co-located with AI data centers. We won't know whether the company's technology works for at least a year and probably longer. 10 stocks we like better than Oklo › The stock of nuclear start-up Oklo (NYSE: OKLO) has taken investors on a roller-coaster ride this year. In April, it was trading at less than $20 per share, but by mid-October it had soared ...

Group 1: Company Overview - Nvidia is a leader in semiconductor architecture and has achieved a $5 trillion market cap, attracting significant investor attention [1][2] - NuScale Power is a prominent player in the nuclear energy sector, being the only small modular reactor (SMR) company with a design approved by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, providing a competitive edge [5][6] Group 2: Financial Performance - Nvidia generated free cash flow of $60.7 billion in fiscal 2025 and $26.9 billion in fiscal 2024, showcasing its strong cash generation capabilities [7] - In contrast, NuScale Power reported revenue of only $8.1 million in the second quarter of 2025, indicating a significant disparity in financial performance [7] Group 3: Market Position and Growth Potential - NuScale Power's current market cap is $6 billion, which would require an extraordinary growth of 83,233% to match Nvidia's scale [10] - Despite the challenges, NuScale Power may still represent a valuable growth opportunity for investors interested in nuclear energy [11]

Industry Overview - The AI-powered data center industry is experiencing significant growth, with global infrastructure capex projected to reach approximately $7 trillion by 2030 [1] - The demand for electricity from data centers is driving interest in nuclear energy as a cleaner energy source to meet rising global electricity needs [2] Nuclear Energy Sector - President Trump's executive orders aim to modernize the nuclear sector, targeting an increase in U.S. nuclear capacity from about 100 gigawatts (GW) in 2024 to 400 GW by 2050 [3] - The demand for electric utilities with access to nuclear power is increasing due to the electricity requirements of data centers [4] Company Highlights Dominion Energy Inc. (D) - Dominion Energy is enhancing its electric and natural gas infrastructure, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050 and working on Small Modular Reactors (SMR) [7][8] - The company has an expected revenue growth rate of 7.6% and earnings growth rate of 22.7% for the current year [9] Duke Energy Corp. (DUK) - Duke Energy plans to invest $87 billion from 2025 to 2029 to strengthen its grid and expand its renewable energy portfolio [10] - The company serves approximately 8.4 million customers and operates 1,500 MW of solar energy in Florida [11][12] - Expected revenue growth rate is 4.6% and earnings growth rate is 7.3% for the current year [12] Ameren Corp. (AEE) - Ameren is investing up to $26.3 billion from 2025 to 2029 to enhance its operations and aims to add 3,200 MW of renewables by 2030 [13][15] - The company has an expected revenue growth rate of 16.2% and earnings growth rate of 7.3% for the current year [16] Entergy Corp. (ETR) - Entergy plans to invest $40 billion from 2025 to 2028 to upgrade infrastructure and support renewable expansion, targeting an earnings CAGR of over 8% [17] - The company generates 27% of its power from nuclear sources and aims to add 275 MW of nuclear power through upgrades [18][19] - Expected revenue growth rate is 5.4% and earnings growth rate is 6.9% for the current year [20] PG&E Corp. (PCG) - PG&E operates California's only nuclear power plant, Diablo Canyon, and is integrating AI technology to enhance operational efficiency [21][23] - The company has an expected revenue growth rate of 6.7% and earnings growth rate of 10.3% for the current year [24]

Core Thesis - NuScale Power Corporation is positioned as a leading player in the small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear sector, with significant potential for growth as it targets commercial deployment in the late 2020s [2][4]. Regulatory and Market Position - The company has received the first NRC-approved SMR design, which is expected to facilitate its entry into the market and meet the increasing demand for reliable on-site baseload generation, particularly from data centers [2][5]. - The AI Action Plan is anticipated to expedite nuclear permitting processes, providing a favorable regulatory environment for NuScale's deployment efforts [2][5]. Financial Outlook - Currently, NuScale remains pre-revenue, but its Department of Energy (DOE) design certification has reduced regulatory risks, thereby enhancing investor confidence in its technology [3][5]. - Although no direct agreements with hyperscale data centers have been announced, the company is well-positioned to capture demand for low-carbon energy solutions in the tech sector [3][5]. Investment Potential - The first-mover advantage in the SMR market could lead to substantial upside if commercial deployment is successful, making NuScale an attractive long-term investment opportunity [4][5]. - The combination of regulatory support, market potential in critical infrastructure, and the inherent advantages of SMR technology contribute to a compelling growth narrative for the company [5]. Competitive Landscape - Despite the promising outlook, NuScale faces execution risks associated with pioneering technology, potential regulatory delays, and competition from alternative energy solutions [4][5].

Core Insights - NuScale Power is a global leader in Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology, benefiting from increasing demand for clean and scalable energy solutions, and is the only SMR technology approved by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) [1][3] - The company received its second NRC approval for a 77-megawatt design in Q2 2025, enhancing its competitive position and customer interest [2][10] - NuScale Power's partnership with ENTRA1 is crucial for reducing project risks and making SMR technology more accessible to various stakeholders [3][10] - The company is expanding internationally, with a project in Romania to replace a coal-fired plant with SMR technology, showcasing the versatility of its reactors [4] - Despite its advancements, NuScale Power faces competition from GE Vernova and BWX Technologies in the nuclear energy sector [5] Competitive Landscape - GE Vernova is developing 300-megawatt small modular reactors and has partnered with Samsung C&T to promote its BWRX-300 SMR in global markets [6] - BWX Technologies is enhancing its presence in the SMR market and has partnered with Kairos Power to improve commercial production of TRISO nuclear fuel [7] Financial Performance - SMR shares have increased by 198% year-to-date, significantly outperforming the Zacks Computer & Technology sector, which has appreciated by 21.6% [8][10] - The stock is trading at a trailing 12-month Price/Book ratio of 30.51X, compared to the sector's 11.15X, indicating a premium valuation [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for loss in 2025 is 46 cents per share, unchanged over the past 30 days, while the company reported earnings of 42 cents per share in the same quarter last year [13]

Group 1 - The S&P 500 has gained about 13% in 2025 through market close Oct. 13, while NuScale Power has gained seven times more than the index, indicating strong performance [1] - NuScale Power is designing small modular reactors (SMRs) that are smaller, cheaper, and quicker to build than traditional nuclear reactors, positioning the company well as electricity demand is expected to spike 25% by 2030 and 78% by 2050 [3] - NuScale is the only U.S. company with an SMR design approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), providing a first-mover advantage in a potentially lucrative market [4] Group 2 - The market valuation of NuScale is about $11 billion, trading at approximately 81 times trailing 12-month sales, with total revenue over the last 12 months around $56 million, indicating high expectations are priced in [5] - For aggressive investors focused on clean energy, NuScale's first-mover advantage in the SMR space presents a compelling investment opportunity, although cautious investors may prefer to wait for more concrete progress [6] - NuScale Power's design is currently the only one in the U.S. with NRC approval, making it a significant player in the future of energy [7]

Core Insights - NuScale Power's shares have increased by 12.7% over the past three months, underperforming compared to the Zacks Computer & Technology sector's rise of 15.7% and peers like Nano Nuclear and GE Vernova, which saw increases of 35.3% and 17.6% respectively [1][10] - The company has outperformed the Zacks Electronics-Power Generation industry, which grew by 7.9% during the same period, due to advancements in Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology [3] - NuScale Power is positioned as a leader in SMR technology, being the only SMR technology approved by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) [7] Market Dynamics - The competitive energy market, characterized by the rise of renewable energy sources and regulatory challenges, has contributed to NuScale's underperformance [2][19] - The company is benefiting from high demand for electricity and clean energy, particularly driven by the need for AI-powered data centers [6] Strategic Partnerships - NuScale Power's partnership with ENTRA1 is crucial for its portfolio expansion, allowing for the development and operation of energy production plants powered by SMR technology [8] - A significant agreement with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) aims to deploy up to 6 gigawatts of NuScale SMR capacity across seven states, marking a historic milestone in SMR deployment in the U.S. [9][10] Financial Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NuScale Power's loss in 2025 is projected at 46 cents per share, unchanged over the past month, compared to earnings of 42 cents per share in the same quarter last year [15] - The company's shares are currently considered overvalued, with a forward price/sales ratio of 85.30X, significantly higher than the sector average of 7.01X [16][19] Conclusion - Despite advancements in SMR technology and strategic partnerships, NuScale Power faces challenges in a competitive energy market and has a stretched valuation, leading to a recommendation to hold the stock for now [18][20]

Core Insights - Significant investments are flowing into advanced nuclear technologies, including nuclear fusion, small modular reactors, and microreactors, with proponents claiming these will lead to a nuclear power renaissance [1] - In 2024, investments in advanced nuclear companies reached an all-time high, surpassing the total deal value of the past 15 years combined, driven by increasing energy demand projections due to AI integration [2] - The growth in electricity demand is being accelerated by data centers, with projections indicating that load growth is occurring 10 years sooner and five times faster than previously forecasted [3] Industry Dynamics - Nuclear energy startups are benefiting from political support, as nuclear power is one of the few carbon-free energy sources with bipartisan backing in the U.S. and abroad, with recent shifts in Europe towards pro-nuclear policies [3] - The U.S. and the U.K. have announced a new nuclear partnership, further solidifying the political landscape in favor of nuclear energy [3] Market Concerns - Some analysts express concerns about a potential bubble in the valuations of newly public energy startups, suggesting that the current hype around power demand is inflating valuations beyond realistic delivery capabilities [4] - Bank of America has downgraded ratings for several small modular reactor startups, including Oklo and NuScale, indicating a disconnect between market valuations and fundamental performance [5]

Core Viewpoint - The recent pullback in nuclear stocks, particularly in small modular reactor (SMR) companies, may present a buying opportunity despite recent declines due to market rotation and analyst downgrades [1][4][8] Group 1: Stock Performance - Shares of Oklo, NuScale Power, and Nano Nuclear Energy have experienced declines following significant gains, attributed to market rotation away from speculative sectors and profit-taking [1][3] - Oklo's stock was downgraded from Buy to Neutral by Seaport Research, citing high valuation and lack of tangible revenue, which negatively impacted market sentiment [2] - Goldman Sachs initiated coverage on Oklo with a Neutral rating and a price target of $117, adding further selling pressure [2] Group 2: Industry Outlook - The pullback in SMR stocks could be seen as a buying opportunity, with Goldman Sachs identifying future catalysts and potential upsides for the nuclear industry [4] - There is a growing demand for reliable, clean power sources, particularly for AI data centers, which could benefit the nuclear sector [4] - SMRs offer advantages over traditional reactors, including a compact and modular structure that allows for flexible scaling [4][5] Group 3: Political Support - The nuclear sector has received political backing, especially during the Trump administration, which has promoted nuclear partnerships and technology initiatives [6] - In May 2025, President Trump signed executive orders aimed at revitalizing the U.S. nuclear sector, targeting an increase in nuclear power capacity to 400 GW by 2050 [6] - One executive order focuses on advancing cutting-edge nuclear technologies, including SMRs, and facilitating the recycling of uranium and plutonium for nuclear fuel [7] Group 4: Investment Considerations - The current pullback in SMR and nuclear-related stocks may be an opportunity for investors, given the significant tailwinds such as increasing power demand and strong political support [8] - Investors need to assess whether these favorable conditions are already reflected in stock prices or if there is further upside potential in the nuclear industry [8]

Core Insights - The article highlights the significant role of NuScale Power in the evolving energy landscape, particularly in response to the growing energy demands driven by the AI revolution [2][3][13] - NuScale's competitive advantage stems from its regulatory approval for the first Small Modular Reactor (SMR) design, which positions the company favorably in the nuclear energy sector [5][6] Industry Overview - The AI industry's energy requirements are creating a renewed interest in nuclear power, as advanced nuclear energy is seen as a reliable solution to meet the constant demand for electricity [3][4] - Favorable U.S. government policies, such as the Inflation Reduction Act and the ADVANCE Act, are providing financial and regulatory support for the nuclear energy sector [4] Company Performance - NuScale has secured a landmark agreement with ENTRA1 Energy and the Tennessee Valley Authority to deploy up to 6 gigawatts of SMR capacity, marking a significant milestone in U.S. nuclear history [7][8] - The company has a strong financial position, with approximately $489.9 million in cash and zero debt, allowing for operational flexibility and growth funding [9] Market Sentiment - The current stock price of NuScale is $39.65, with a 52-week range of $10.71 to $53.50, reflecting high market expectations for future growth [10] - Analyst consensus rates the stock as a Hold, with a 12-month price forecast averaging $36.09, indicating potential downside but also significant upside potential as suggested by a high-end target of $60.00 [12] Competitive Landscape - NuScale's unique regulatory advantage and commercial validation from major utilities position it as a leader in the next generation of nuclear energy [13] - Over 33% of the stock's publicly available shares are sold short, indicating skepticism but also the potential for a short squeeze if positive developments occur [14]