Core Viewpoint - Oklo Inc. shares surged following the advancement of a key regulatory milestone for its Aurora Powerhouse reactor, driven by accelerating approval timelines, increasing U.S. electricity demand, and strong bipartisan support for next-generation nuclear power [1][5]. Financial Performance - Oklo reported a second-quarter loss of $28 million, translating to a loss of 18 cents per share, which was worse than the estimated loss of 12 cents per share [2][3]. - Revenue projections indicate below $5 million in 2026-2027, rising to approximately $12 million in 2028, and exceeding $21 billion by 2038, reflecting a ten-year CAGR of 112% [8]. Regulatory and Market Position - The company is currently undergoing Phase 1 of the pre-application readiness review for the combined license application (COLA) for the Aurora Powerhouse, with approval timelines expected to compress from over two years to about 18 months [4][5]. - Oklo's technical positioning allows it to utilize down-blended uranium and plutonium-based fuels without enrichment, providing fuel optionality as initial units are deployed [6]. Industry Support and Growth Potential - There is durable bipartisan political support for nuclear power in the U.S., alongside rising electricity demand from AI and data centers, bolstered by policy initiatives like the ADVANCE Act of 2024 [5][6]. - The company aims for its first powerhouse deployment in 2027-2028 and targets 1 GW installed capacity by 2031 [8]. Analyst Insights - HC Wainwright & Co. analyst Sameer Joshi reiterated a Buy rating on Oklo, raising the price target from $55 to $90, citing ongoing regulatory progress and industry momentum [3][4]. - Gross margins are expected to turn positive in 2029, stabilizing around 65%-75% as powerhouses scale, while total operating expenses are projected to rise from approximately $105 million in 2025 to $2.3 billion in 2038, reflecting a thirteen-year CAGR of 27% [8][9].