NuScale's stock price has rocketed nearly 320% higher over the last year.NuScale Power (SMR 3.40%) is a nuclear energy specialist seeing explosive gains thanks to a catalyst that initially caught the market off guard. The company's share price roared nearly 320% higher over the last year as artificial intelligence (AI) emerged as a potentially massive performance driver for the business. As a pioneer in small modular reactors (SMRs), NuScale could be well-positioned to win power contracts for AI data center ...

Core Insights - Oklo received a contract from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for two projects under the Reactor Pilot Program, with its subsidiary Atomic Alchemy also selected for a third project, aligning with the goal to have three operational small modular reactors (SMRs) by July 4, 2026 [3][4] - Despite the initial positive market reaction, Oklo's stock experienced volatility, ultimately declining by 1% after an early gain of over 6% [1][3] Group 1 - The DOE's selection of Oklo and its subsidiary for multiple projects indicates a significant opportunity for the company in the SMR sector [3][4] - Oklo's closest competitors, Nano Nuclear Energy and NuScale Power, did not secure similar contracts, which may impact their market positions negatively [4][5] - A total of 10 companies received contracts from the DOE, including Oklo and its subsidiary, but eight others were also selected, suggesting increased competition and reducing Oklo's status as the frontrunner in the nuclear renaissance [5][6]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - **Industry**: Nuclear Energy - **Theme**: Nuclear Renaissance, intersecting with global megatrends such as Tech Diffusion, Multipolar World, and Future of Energy [1][5][8] Core Insights and Arguments - **Nuclear Capacity Projections**: Global new nuclear capacity is projected to reach **586.8 GW** by **2050**, a **53%** increase from previous estimates [7][10][12] - **Investment Forecast**: Potential investment in the nuclear value chain through **2050** is estimated at **US$2.2 trillion**, up from **US$1.5 trillion** [7][11][12] - **Regional Growth**: China, the US, CEEMEA, and India are expected to lead in nuclear capacity growth, with Asia emerging as a key investment region [7][10] - **Stock Exposure**: The report identifies **63 stocks** that are exposed to the nuclear renaissance, expanding from an earlier list of **51 stocks** [8][17] Key Trends and Opportunities - **Tech Diffusion**: Nuclear power is seen as a premium energy source in the age of AI, emphasizing reliability and energy density. Key stocks include Talen Energy, Public Service Enterprise Group Inc, and Vistra Corp [9][19] - **Multipolar World**: South Korea and Japan are positioned to benefit in the global nuclear market amid competition from China and Russia. Notable companies include Doosan Enerbility and Samsung C&T [9][19] - **Future of Energy**: Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Fourth Generation reactors are highlighted as promising technologies, with companies like Curtiss-Wright and GE Vernova mentioned [9][19] Policy and Market Sentiment - **Investor Sentiment**: The proportion of global assets under management (AUM) excluding nuclear power has decreased to **2.3%**, indicating a shift in investor attitudes [14][51] - **Development Banks**: Institutions like the World Bank are reassessing their stance on nuclear energy, lifting bans on financing nuclear projects, which could enhance investment opportunities [51][52] Regional Insights - **China**: Fastest nuclear buildout, on track to reach **200 GW** by **2040**. The country is a pioneer in Gen-IV and nuclear fusion technology [23][38] - **India**: Ambitious target to expand nuclear capacity to **100 GW** by **2047**, with significant growth expected [40][38] - **CEEMEA**: Emerging as a significant market for nuclear energy, with Poland and Turkey leading the pipeline [39][10] Additional Noteworthy Points - **Technological Advancements**: The report discusses advancements in Gen-IV reactors and thorium-based technologies, with China and India making strides in these areas [20][21] - **Market Performance**: Nuclear stocks have outperformed the MSCI ACWI index year-to-date, indicating strong market interest [28][29] This summary encapsulates the key insights and projections regarding the nuclear energy sector, highlighting investment opportunities and regional dynamics that could shape the future of the industry.

Key Takeaways OKLO's fast reactors extract energy from 95% of nuclear fuel usually discarded as waste.The firm is building its own supply chain and recycling tech to cut costs and gain a competitive edge.The DOE backed OKLO with $15M across four projects focused on fuel recycling innovation.Oklo Inc. (OKLO) is rethinking how nuclear energy is produced, and at the center of its strategy is fuel recycling. Unlike conventional reactors that only use about 5% of the energy content from nuclear fuel, Oklo’s spec ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - AEP reported the strongest ever second quarter operating earnings in its 100-year history, with operating earnings of $1.43 per share or $766 million, representing a 14% increase year-over-year from $1.25 per share in 2024 [9][27] - The company is guiding to the upper half of its 2025 operating earnings range of $5.75 to $5.95 per share, reflecting strong year-to-date results [10][39] - AEP reaffirmed its long-term operating earnings growth rate of 6% to 8% [10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Operating earnings for vertically integrated utilities increased to $0.56 per share, up $0.10 from the previous year, driven by rate changes and increased load from data centers [28] - The transmission and distribution utility segment earned $0.42 per share, up $0.01 from last year, supported by rate changes and retail sales gains [29] - Generation and Marketing produced $0.17 per share, up $0.05 from last year, with favorable energy margins [31] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - AEP expects to have 24 gigawatts of incremental load by the end of the decade, up from 21 gigawatts, primarily driven by data centers and reshoring [12] - The company has a significant interconnection queue with approximately 190 gigawatts of additional load seeking to connect to its system, which is five times its current system size of 37 gigawatts [12][35] Company Strategy and Development Direction - AEP is executing a $54 billion capital plan and expects to announce a new five-year capital plan of approximately $70 billion, with allocations of 50% to transmission, 40% to generation, and 10% to distribution [11] - The company is focused on aligning its business with regulatory goals and has secured large load tariffs in multiple states to support economic development [14][15] - AEP is exploring innovative power solutions, including small modular reactors (SMRs) and Bloom fuel cells, to meet growing customer demands [16][17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to execute its growth strategy, citing strong regulatory support and a disciplined approach to capital allocation [10][18] - The management team highlighted the importance of safety, service, and reliability while navigating complex operational and regulatory landscapes [18][19] - AEP's leadership emphasized the need for continued collaboration with regulators to support infrastructure investments and customer affordability [20][21] Other Important Information - AEP Texas was granted approval for a significant transmission project, and the company has received positive regulatory outcomes in several states [19][23] - The company has a strong liquidity position with over $5.6 billion supported by $6 billion in credit facilities [36][37] Q&A Session Summary Question: CapEx increase and financing needs - Trevor Mihalik indicated that the company has proactively financed its existing capital plan and does not have near-term equity needs, providing flexibility for future financing [42][44] Question: ROE trajectory and impact of regulatory changes - Trevor Mihalik confirmed that the ROE is expected to increase due to the new regulatory mechanisms in Texas, potentially by 50 to 100 basis points [46][48] Question: Plans for small modular reactors (SMRs) - William J. Fehrman discussed the focus on early site permit work for SMRs, emphasizing strong regulatory support in Virginia and Indiana [52][53] Question: Ongoing impact of NOLC changes - Kate Sturgess noted that the ongoing impact from the NOLC change is expected to be around 3 cents per share annually [56][57] Question: Update on West Virginia case - William J. Fehrman provided an update that the West Virginia case is awaiting an order expected in late August or early September [59] Question: CapEx opportunities and future increases - Trevor Mihalik highlighted the tremendous growth opportunities across AEP's service territory, indicating that further increases in CapEx could be possible [64][66] Question: Data center activity and connection timelines - William J. Fehrman explained that AEP's transmission system is attractive for data centers, with wait times for connections typically ranging from five to seven years [70][71]

Core Viewpoint - The growth of the AI market is creating strong demand for nuclear power companies, particularly those like NuScale Power and Oklo, which are positioned to meet the energy needs of data centers [1][2]. Company Comparisons - NuScale Power develops small modular reactors (SMRs) that generate up to 77 megawatts of electricity (MWe) and can be configured in flexible arrangements, with a maximum output of 924 MWe from 12 modules [4][5]. - Oklo produces smaller microreactors, generating 1.5 MWe each, which can be combined to produce between 15 to 100 MWe, making them suitable for remote deployments [6]. Regulatory Approvals and Designs - NuScale is the only company with Standard Design Approvals from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for its SMRs, with approvals for both 50 MWe and 77 MWe designs [5]. - Oklo's microreactors utilize metallic uranium fuel pellets, which are denser and cheaper to produce compared to the standard uranium dioxide fuel used by NuScale [6][7]. Financial Performance and Projections - In 2024, NuScale's revenue increased by 62% to $37 million, but its net loss more than doubled to $137 million. Analysts project a 34% revenue increase to $50 million in 2025, with a reduced net loss of $69 million [10][11]. - Oklo is not expected to generate revenue until late 2027 or early 2028, with projected net losses of $66 million in 2025 and $78 million in 2026, despite a market value of $10.2 billion [12]. Market Valuation - NuScale's market capitalization is $6.7 billion, reflecting a valuation of 135 times its current sales [11]. - Oklo's high market valuation of over 762 times its expected revenue in 2027 is attributed to the influence of Sam Altman, former CEO of OpenAI, who is a significant investor [12][13]. Investment Outlook - NuScale's SMRs are considered more suitable for large-scale nuclear plants and direct power supply to data centers, while Oklo's microreactors are better for small, remote deployments [14]. - Despite being a speculative investment, NuScale is viewed as a more stable option compared to Oklo, which is seen as overvalued and lacking meaningful revenue [15].

Core Insights - NuScale Power and BWX Technologies are significant contributors to the advanced nuclear technology sector, with NuScale focusing on small modular reactors (SMRs) and BWX supplying nuclear components and fuel to the U.S. government [1][2] Market Overview - The global SMR market was valued at $5.81 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $8.37 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 4.98% from 2025 to 2032, indicating substantial growth opportunities for both companies [2] NuScale Power Insights - NuScale Power is experiencing momentum due to advancements in SMR technology and a growing partner base, including major tech firms and financial institutions, enhancing its market position in sustainable energy [4][7] - The increasing energy demand, particularly from data centers, is a significant growth driver, with data centers expected to triple their energy use over the next three years, accounting for 12% of U.S. electricity consumption by 2028 [5][6] - NuScale Power's shares have appreciated 180.3% year-to-date, attributed to its technological advancements and partnerships [12] BWX Technologies Insights - BWX Technologies is expanding its presence in the SMR market and has secured significant contracts, including $2.6 billion for U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program components, which will bolster its position in the nuclear energy sector [9][10] - The company is also preparing for future growth in the SMR market, reflecting the increasing global demand for clean energy solutions [11] - BWX Technologies' shares have increased 28.4% year-to-date, benefiting from strong bookings and government contracts [12] Financial Performance and Valuation - Both companies are currently considered overvalued, with NuScale trading at a forward Price/Sales multiple of 128.86X compared to BWX's 4.08X [15] - For 2025, the earnings estimate for NuScale Power is a loss of 45 cents per share, while BWX Technologies is expected to earn $3.55 per share, indicating a stronger earnings potential for BWX [17] Conclusion - While both companies are positioned to benefit from the nuclear energy boom, BWX Technologies has a stronger earnings outlook and established government contracts, whereas NuScale Power faces challenges in a competitive energy market [20][21]

Core Insights - Oklo Inc. has seen a significant stock increase due to being awarded a contract by the U.S. Air Force to build a small nuclear reactor at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, which enhances its credibility in the small modular reactor (SMR) market [3][4] - The company announced a $400 million stock offering, which may lead to dilution of existing shares, causing some volatility in stock performance [4][6] - Oklo aims to replace diesel generators with clean nuclear energy, but has faced regulatory challenges, including a previous denial for reactor design licensing in 2022 [5][6] Company Developments - The U.S. Air Force contract serves as a significant endorsement of Oklo's technology, indicating government confidence in its capabilities [4][6] - The stock surged nearly 30% following the announcement of the Air Force deal, reflecting investor optimism [3] - The planned issuance of $400 million in new shares has raised concerns about dilution, impacting investor sentiment and stock performance [4][6] Industry Context - Oklo is positioned in the growing market for small modular reactors, which are seen as a solution for providing clean energy in remote or high-demand areas [3][5] - The company’s focus on clean energy alternatives aligns with broader industry trends towards sustainable energy solutions [5] - Future success will depend on regulatory approvals and the ability to leverage government contracts for further opportunities [6]

Group 1 - Oklo's shares increased by 11.4% following positive market movements and news regarding small modular reactors (SMRs) in Europe [1][2] - The U.K. and Czech Republic partnership aims to deploy up to six SMRs manufactured by Rolls-Royce, supported by a $2.5 billion investment from the U.K. government [2] - The momentum in the nuclear industry is further validated by this partnership, benefiting SMR developers like Oklo [2] Group 2 - Oklo is collaborating with the U.S. Air Force to potentially deploy an SMR at an Air Force base in Alaska, which would enhance the base's energy independence [4] - SMRs are particularly advantageous for critical infrastructure and data centers, aligning with the needs of modern technology [5] - The successful development of a safe and operational SMR model by Oklo could lead to significant success in the market [6]

Industry Overview - Nuclear energy is increasingly recognized as a vital solution for meeting the rising global electricity demand while facilitating the transition to cleaner energy sources, providing a reliable supply of clean energy unlike solar and wind [1] - The U.S. aims to expand its nuclear energy capacity from nearly 100 gigawatts (GW) in 2024 to 400 GW by 2050, supported by executive orders to modernize regulations and accelerate reactor approvals [2] - The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects annual investment in nuclear energy to exceed $150 billion by 2030, up from $65 billion, with installed nuclear capacity potentially surpassing 1,000 GW by 2050 [4] Investment Opportunities - Nuclear energy-related stocks, such as Entergy Corporation, Dominion Energy, and Constellation Energy Corporation, are becoming attractive investment options due to their stable output and growth potential [3] - Entergy Corporation's nuclear plants generate nearly 8 GW, accounting for about 27% of its total capacity, and the company plans to invest $37 billion from 2025 to 2029 to enhance its generation fleet and expand its zero-carbon portfolio [9][12] - Dominion Energy operates four nuclear power stations that produce nearly 40% of its total energy output, focusing on next-generation technologies like small modular reactors (SMRs) to meet future electricity demand [13][14] Company Strategies - Entergy is exploring next-generation nuclear technologies and has secured a permit for a new reactor site, aiming to partner with tech firms to address financial and regulatory challenges [10][11] - Dominion Energy is committed to achieving a net-zero carbon target by 2050, leveraging nuclear power to provide a consistent, emission-free energy foundation [15] - Constellation Energy, the largest nuclear power plant operator in the U.S., accounts for around 10% of the nation's clean energy production and is investing in expanding its nuclear capacity to meet rising demand [16][18] Market Demand - The demand for clean electricity is driven by industrial expansion, urbanization, rising temperatures, AI-powered data centers, and the adoption of electric vehicles, with nuclear power requiring significantly less land compared to other clean energy sources [5] - Tech companies like Meta and Amazon are increasingly turning to nuclear energy as a reliable, low-emission power source, entering long-term agreements with Entergy [11] - Constellation Energy has secured uranium supply contracts extending through the 2030s to ensure long-term fuel security amid geopolitical uncertainties [17]