Plenty of countries can mine uranium. But there's exactly one step in the fuel chain so hard it needs machines spinning hundreds of thousands of times a minute, so sensitive it's controlled like a weapon, and — as it happens — nearly half the world's capacity is held by Russia. That's "conversion and enrichment," the midstream of nuclear fuel. And it's running even hotter now that next-generation reactors need a specially concentrated fuel called HALEU, which Russia was once the only one able to make and sell commercially. This is the story of a chokepoint the West is now pouring billions into rebuilding from scratch.
Westinghouse targets valuation above 7.8 trillion yen in US IPO
US nuclear power giant Westinghouse Electric is aiming for a valuation of more than 50 billion dollars, or roughly 7.8 trillion yen, in a US initial public offering, according to people familiar with the matter. The company, jointly owned by Brookfield Renewable Partners and Cameco, aims to file formally for the listing as early as October, and details of the IPO could change. Citigroup and Goldman Sachs Group are leading the IPO, the people said, and the company disclosed in July that it had confidentially submitted paperwork for a listing. Westinghouse's history dates back to the 1800s, and it now employs more than 12,500 people across 21 countries. Cameco said in an earnings release that Westinghouse's nuclear power technology is used in 57% of the world's 417 reactors, and that it has up to 91 potential projects for its latest-generation reactor.
Oklo Targets First Aurora Microreactors in Idaho by Late 2027
Oklo, the microreactor developer that went public through a SPAC merger on May 10, 2024, is targeting deployment of its first Aurora Powerhouse microreactors in Idaho in late 2027 or early 2028, with analysts expecting revenue to rise to $2 million in 2026, $8 million in 2027, and $53 million in 2028. The Aurora generates only 1.5 MWe on its own but is designed to be deployed alongside additional microreactors to build plants capable of generating up to 75 MWe, far below the over 1,000 MWe of a conventional nuclear plant, though its modular, factory-prefabricated design suits remote, off-grid sites and data center operators. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved Oklo's Principal Design Criteria for the Aurora in June, and the company achieved criticality at Groves One, its first pilot isotope-production reactor, in early August, deploying it in just 229 days. Oklo's partnership with Meta Platforms, announced in January, aims to deliver 1.2 GW of power at a nuclear campus in Ohio, with initial phases expected online around 2030, and the company is working to convert a multi-gigawatt pipeline of non-binding letters of intent, including a 14 GW agreement with Switch, into firm Power Purchase Agreements. Oklo also signed an LOI to buy HALEU from Centrus Energy, one of the only companies authorized to produce and enrich HALEU in the United States, while carrying a $7.4 billion market cap that trades at 139 times its 2028 sales.
BWX Technologies Expands Nuclear Manufacturing as 2025 Revenue Rises 18.3%
BWX Technologies is expanding its manufacturing and technology capabilities across advanced nuclear, commercial nuclear and government programs. The company has expanded its Cambridge, Ontario, facility to increase heavy commercial nuclear component manufacturing capacity, and is developing capabilities for high-purity depleted uranium along with investments in uranium processing and advanced manufacturing facilities. Its Innovation Campus in Lynchburg, VA, brings together design, research, engineering, testing and fabrication for advanced nuclear technologies, with R&D spanning advanced reactors, nuclear fuel, additive and autonomous manufacturing, medical radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals. BWXT's 2025 revenues increased 18.3% to $3.2 billion. The Zacks Consensus Estimate points to 2026 and 2027 earnings per share growth of 18.45% and 10.73%, respectively, while the stock trades at a forward 12-month price-to-sales of 3.31X versus the industry average of 7.14X.
Japan Nuclear Fuel Concerned Americium-241 Conversion in Reprocessed Plutonium May Degrade MOX Fuel Performance
Some of the plutonium extracted at Japan Nuclear Fuel's reprocessing plant has been found to convert into a different radioactive substance unsuitable for fuel during long-term storage in storage pools, potentially affecting the performance of MOX fuel. The plutonium-241 in question is an artificial radioactive substance generated inside nuclear reactors, accounting for roughly one-tenth of the plutonium contained in typical spent fuel, and it decays into americium-241 with a half-life of 14.3 years. According to Associate Professor Noriko Asanuma of Tokai University, americium-241 undergoes fission reactions less readily than plutonium-241 and has the property of absorbing neutrons, so its presence in fuel degrades performance. The conversion to americium-241 also raises radiation levels and temperatures, making management more difficult in some respects. Japan Nuclear Fuel explains that the amount of plutonium-241 lost is small and the impact on the nuclear fuel cycle is minor, while it is considering methods such as blending freshly reprocessed material with older MOX fuel feedstock to dilute the americium-241 concentration, as well as introducing re-reprocessing equipment to remove americium-241 from the feedstock.
Japan Nuclear Fuel Publishes Spent Fuel Storage Volumes by Utility, TEPCO Tops at 890 Tons
Japan Nuclear Fuel has disclosed the amounts of spent nuclear fuel stored by each electric utility in the cooling pool at its spent fuel reprocessing plant in Rokkasho Village, Aomori Prefecture, it was learned on the 12th. As of the end of March last year, Tokyo Electric Power held the most at 890 tons, followed by Kansai Electric Power at 720 tons and Kyushu Electric Power at 400 tons. Other utilities were Hokkaido Electric Power at 110 tons, Tohoku Electric Power at 100 tons, Chubu Electric Power at 250 tons, Hokuriku Electric Power at 20 tons, Chugoku Electric Power at 120 tons, Shikoku Electric Power at 170 tons, and Japan Atomic Power at 180 tons. The company had previously disclosed the source and weight of fuel when accepting deliveries, but it had not made public the storage volume by company, and in response to numerous inquiries it began posting the information on its website in November last year. The reprocessing plant's cooling pool began operating in 1998 and has a storage capacity of 3,000 tons. It is currently nearly full at about 2,968 tons, or 12,069 assemblies, and the company stopped accepting fuel after 2016. Japan Nuclear Fuel aims to start operations in the second half of next fiscal year, and once reprocessing begins, space will open up in the pool, so if all goes smoothly it is expected to be able to resume accepting fuel in fiscal 2028, but the plant's completion has been postponed 27 times so far, and the outlook remains uncertain.
Centrus Energy Falls 8.6% After Pricing $500 Million Stock and Warrant Offering
Centrus Energy announced the pricing of a $500 million underwritten public offering of Class A common stock and warrants, sending its shares down 8.6% in the afternoon session. The offering comprises 500,000 shares of Class A common stock, pre-funded warrants to purchase 2,005,513 shares, and common warrants to purchase up to 6,992,382 shares, priced at a combined public offering price of $199.64 per share and accompanying common warrants. The transaction features four series of common warrants, with closing expected around September 11, 2026. Public equity offerings frequently pressure a company's stock price because issuing new shares and warrants dilutes existing shareholders and expands the total supply of shares available in the market. Centrus Energy is down 39% since the beginning of the year and, at $166.22 per share, trades 61.9% below its 52-week high of $436 from October 2025.
Centrus Energy Prices $500 Million Offering of Class A Stock and Warrants
Centrus Energy Corp. announced the pricing of a $500 million underwritten public offering of Class A common stock and warrants. The offering comprises 500,000 shares of Class A common stock, pre-funded warrants to purchase an aggregate of 2,005,513 shares, and common warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 6,992,382 shares. The combined public offering price is $199.64 per share of Class A common stock and accompanying common warrants, and $199.54 per pre-funded warrant and accompanying common warrants, with the pre-funded warrants carrying an exercise price of $0.10 per share. The common warrants will be issued in four series, each with an aggregate exercise price of approximately $500 million and exercise prices of $226.8625, $272.2350, $317.6075, and $362.9800 per share, respectively. Gross proceeds are expected to be approximately $500 million before deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses, and Centrus intends to use the net proceeds for general working capital and corporate purposes, which may include technology development and deployment, debt repayment or repurchase, capital expenditures, and potential acquisitions. Guggenheim Securities is acting as lead book-running manager and Barclays is acting as a book-running manager, with the offering expected to close on or about September 11, 2026.
Oil Stocks Jump as Saudi Strikes Disrupt Energy Facilities
Shares of several energy companies rose in afternoon trading after crude oil prices climbed sharply following strikes on Saudi Arabian energy facilities and mounting supply disruption fears in the Middle East. The Saudi energy ministry reported that operations at several facilities in the country's south were halted after missile and drone strikes from Yemen's Houthis ignited fires, wounding more than 70 people. Saudi Aramco's oil facilities in Jizan, home to a major 400,000-barrel-per-day refinery, were targeted, causing local authorities to suspend operations. Brent crude futures rose $1.00 to settle over $98.00 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose over $2.00 to reach $93.65 a barrel. Among the stocks impacted, Centrus Energy jumped 8.3%, SM Energy rose 3.1%, BKV gained 3.2%, Select Water Solutions advanced 3.1%, and ProFrac climbed 4.5%.
Standard Nuclear Q2 Revenue Surges to $4.7M on First TRISO Fuel Deliveries
Standard Nuclear reported second-quarter revenue of $4.7 million, up from $0.6 million a year earlier, driven by its first commercial deliveries of TRISO nuclear fuel, and its total backlog reached $576.9 million after an August agreement with Antares Nuclear. The company, which began trading on the New York Stock Exchange in July, shipped a 50-kilogram batch of HALEU TRISO fuel to Radiant Industries and later delivered the remaining fuel for a full commercial reactor core, marking the first complete core from an independent U.S. manufacturer. Backlog at June 30 stood at $241.5 million, with funded backlog of $61.9 million, but after the Antares deal, funded backlog rose to $119.3 million and total backlog to $576.9 million. The company posted a net loss of $3.4 million, or $0.12 per share, despite a 67% gross margin, as public-company and growth expenses increased. Standard Nuclear ended the quarter with $102.2 million in cash and no debt, and its July IPO generated approximately $137.7 million in net proceeds, bringing pro forma cash to about $240 million. Capacity expansion is advancing, with Tennessee and Idaho facilities targeting operating authorization in the fourth quarter of 2026, and a Framatome joint venture in Richland, Washington, expected to begin TRISO production in 2027.
Oklo's AI Nuclear Story Faces Fuel and Revenue Hurdles
Oklo's artificial intelligence narrative is being tested as the nuclear startup's stock has fallen 44% in 2026. The company holds an 18 gigawatt order book, including a non-binding agreement with Switch for up to 12 GW and a landmark deal with Meta Platforms for a 1.2 GW nuclear campus in Ohio, but it has yet to generate reactor revenue. Oklo's market cap stands at $8 billion against trailing twelve-month revenue of just $1.2 million, and analysts expect only about $55 million in annual revenue two fiscal years from now. The company lost $48.5 million in the second quarter, up from $33 million in the first, and faces a critical bottleneck in securing high-assay low-enriched uranium fuel, with only one U.S. facility licensed to produce it.
Centrus Energy CEO sees U.S. military as new market for enriched uranium
Centrus Energy CEO Amir Vexler said he sees a new market for the company's enriched uranium coming from the U.S. military through a potential supply deal to meet domestic security needs. Vexler told Bloomberg in an interview that he anticipates a U.S. government contract to supply nuclear fuel for defense will be finalized this year, after the Department of Energy issued a notice of intent last year to award the sole-source contract to Centrus, the only U.S.-owned company that produces enriched uranium for reactors. An agreement could include supplying fuel for U.S. Navy vessels or small reactors the military plans to deploy at bases, and could also support production of tritium used to make nuclear weapons, though end uses would be determined by the DoE's National Nuclear Security Administration. Centrus, which is building out a multibillion-dollar enrichment facility in Ohio, has a competitive edge in the national security market because of restrictions on using uranium sourced abroad for U.S. military applications.
X-Energy outlines up to $1B more ARDP funding as NRC permit targets Q1 ’27
X-Energy announced that the Department of Energy will provide up to an additional $1 billion for its ARDP cooperative agreement, potentially raising DOE’s cost share to $2.115 billion. CEO Clay Sell said the company has secured 7.6 metric tons of HALEU from the DOE and executed long-term enrichment agreements with Centrus Energy Corp. and General Matter. X-Energy will invest up to $8 million in milestone-based payments with SGL Carbon to double medium-grain graphite capacity by 2030. CFO Daniel Gross reported Q2 2026 total revenues and grant income of $54.6 million, with $1.9 billion in cash and investments and zero debt outstanding. The company expects NRC construction permit issuance by the first quarter of 2027 and is finalizing an agreement with a major investor-owned utility for its next 1 gigawatt project.
Eagle Nuclear Energy CEO Sees US Uranium Contracting Wave Ahead
Eagle Nuclear Energy Corp. CEO Mark Mukhija said in an interview that US nuclear utilities are approaching an inflection point that could trigger a new wave of uranium contracting. The United States consumed 50 million pounds of uranium in 2024 while producing only 677,000 pounds, a structural deficit that Eagle aims to address with its Aurora project in Oregon, which hosts an indicated resource of 32.75 million pounds. The company is awaiting state approvals for a drill program to support a pre-feasibility study targeted for the second half of 2027, with a baseline production estimate of 2032. Eagle, which began trading on Nasdaq in February 2026 after a business combination, was added to the Solactive Global Uranium and Nuclear Components Total Return Index in early August, qualifying it for the Global X Uranium ETF. The company is also developing small modular reactor designs as part of an integrated nuclear energy platform.
US unveils over $2 billion in new domestic mining projects
The US government has announced more than $2 billion in new projects to support the domestic mining industry, alongside over $180 million for mining workforce development. The Department of War confirmed investments including over $85 million for Standard Bauxite to supply refractory-grade bauxite, $150 million for Minnesota-based Niron Magnetics to develop rare earth-free permanent magnets for defense, $1.4 billion for California's Sila Nanotechnologies to expand silicon-carbon battery anode and lithium-ion cell manufacturing, and $400 million for Sunrise Energy Metals to establish a scandium value chain. The Export-Import Bank allocated $8 million to 5E Advanced Materials for boron production, $25 million to Westwater Resources for graphite extraction, and $25 million to Global Advanced Materials for tantalum and niobium development. The Department of Energy is providing $100 million to 14 mining schools to double capacity for mining-related qualifications, while the Department of War will give over $80 million to three schools for workforce and innovation initiatives.
Iran War Inflation Spills Beyond Energy as Core PCE Hits 3.4%
The inflationary effects of President Donald Trump's Iran war are spreading well beyond the energy sector, with Core Personal Consumption Expenditures reaching 3.4% in May, its highest since October 2023. While headline inflation eased to 3.5% in June from a three-year high of 4.2% in May, the Federal Reserve's preferred Core PCE measure remains sticky, with the Cleveland Fed forecasting 3.36% for August. The conflict, which began on February 28, shut down the Strait of Hormuz and removed about 20 million barrels of daily petroleum liquids, but now businesses are altering shipping routes, fertilizer shortages are raising food costs, and petroleum-based products and helium disruptions are adding to price pressures. This broadening inflation could force the Federal Open Market Committee to raise interest rates, potentially ending the historic rallies in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite.
Only Two of Five Hyped Nuclear Stocks Actually Sell Fuel Today
Among five nuclear stocks driving market enthusiasm, only Cameco and Centrus Energy sell nuclear fuel today, while Oklo, NuScale Power, and Nano Nuclear Energy remain pre-commercial developers with a combined market value of about $12 billion against roughly $12 million in trailing revenue. Cameco, with a market value of about $41 billion, booked about $2.5 billion in trailing-12-month revenue and raised its full-year outlook for realized uranium prices and revenue despite second-quarter production disruptions. Centrus Energy, valued at about $3.6 billion, generated about $474 million in trailing revenue and operates America's first facility licensed to produce high-assay low-enriched uranium, the fuel most advanced reactor designs require. The three developers hold billions in cash and are pursuing regulatory milestones and first commercial deployments, with Oklo reporting a first-half net loss of $81.6 million on $1.2 million in second-quarter revenue, NuScale holding the first NRC-certified small modular reactor design but only $10.7 million in trailing sales, and Nano Nuclear yet to record any revenue. The sell-off has pushed NuScale about 83% below its 52-week high, Oklo about 77% below, and Nano Nuclear about 70% below, while Cameco sits about 29% below its peak.
Centrus Energy Q2 revenue rises 14%, backlog hits $4.5 billion
Centrus Energy reported second-quarter revenue rose 14% year over year to $176.1 million, with adjusted net income of $38.7 million, or $1.77 per diluted share. The LEU segment grew 22% to $153.4 million, while Technical Solutions revenue declined 21% to $22.7 million. The company's commercial backlog expanded to $4.5 billion through 2040, including $3 billion in contingent LEU and HALEU enrichment sales. Centrus also secured a $900 million Department of Energy task order and new HALEU agreements with Oklo and X-energy to support capacity expansion. Management maintained 2026 revenue guidance of $450 million to $500 million and capital-spending guidance of $350 million to $500 million, while raising its Piketon hiring target to more than 175 employees and continuing to target commercial production in 2029.
Cameco Maintains 2026 Production Outlook Despite Operational Disruptions
Cameco Corporation maintained its 2026 production outlook of 19.5 million to 21.5 million pounds of U3O8 despite temporary operational disruptions at its Northern Saskatchewan mines. CEO Timothy Gitzel noted that spring road conditions caused unplanned disruptions at Key Lake and McArthur River during the quarter, and a two-week production suspension at Cigar Lake occurred after quarter end, but these issues have been addressed with no impact on the annual plan. The company also disclosed that Westinghouse Electric Company has confidentially submitted a draft registration statement for a proposed initial public offering, while providing extensive new details on its AP1000 reactor pipeline, including 91 identified opportunities globally and a $17.5 billion conditional commitment from the U.S. Department of Energy for long-lead items. Average realized uranium prices increased during the quarter, and management highlighted that long-term uranium prices have reached decade highs, with market-related contracts now showing floor prices in the high 70s and ceiling prices around 160.
Trump pitches $3 billion investment in critical minerals to break China dependence
President Trump has announced a $3 billion investment plan in the critical minerals sector, underscoring his aim to reduce dependence on China. The Department of Defense's Office of Strategic Capital has signed a $1.4 billion loan agreement with Sila Nanotechnologies to expand production of silicon-based anodes and lithium-ion battery cells. It will also invest $400 million in Sunrise Energy Metals to scale up scandium production in Australia, and $150 million in Niron Magnetics. The Export-Import Bank of the United States is preparing over $1 billion in financing for Ivanhoe Electric's copper project in Arizona, and will put $25 million into a graphite mine in Alabama. Additionally, more than $180 million will be allocated to industry education programs to train the next generation of miners.
Cameco maintained its 2026 production outlook of 19.5 million to 21.5 million pounds of U3O8 despite weather-related disruptions at Key Lake and McArthur River and a temporary suspension at Cigar Lake. CEO Tim Gitzel said the company is on track with its expectations, citing growing support for nuclear energy, while long-term uranium prices reached decade highs and contracting activity increased. Cameco has contracts for average annual deliveries of more than 28 million pounds over the next five years and remains selective on additional commitments. Westinghouse reported a pipeline of 91 AP1000 reactor opportunities, supported by a potential $17.5 billion U.S. Department of Energy financing commitment. Management said standardized reactor designs and new construction could create recurring demand across its uranium, conversion, enrichment and nuclear-services businesses.
Centrus Energy holds record $3.9 billion backlog and sole US HALEU license
Centrus Energy, the only US company licensed to produce high-assay low-enriched uranium, reported a record $3.9 billion backlog extending through 2040 at the end of the first quarter of 2026. Roughly $3.1 billion of that backlog comes from its low-enriched uranium business. The company ended the quarter with approximately $1.8 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, while generating $76.7 million in revenue and $10 million in GAAP net income. Earlier this year, the US Department of Energy awarded Centrus a contract worth up to $900 million to help establish a domestic HALEU supply chain, reinforcing its position as a key player in America's nuclear fuel independence.
Uranium Energy Stock Down 50% in 2026 as Spot Prices Fall, but Long-Term Contract Prices Rise
Uranium Energy shares have fallen 50% from their early 2026 peak, tracking a decline in uranium spot prices. The company held 1.46 million pounds of uranium at the end of its fiscal third quarter of 2026, making its stock a proxy for the commodity. While spot prices have dropped, long-term contracted uranium prices have continued to rise as nuclear power producers lock in fuel supplies. Cameco, one of the world's largest uranium producers, has warned that demand will outstrip supply in the early 2030s, which could boost uranium prices and the value of Uranium Energy's inventory. The stock remains highly volatile and suited only for investors with a strong conviction in a coming uranium supply shortfall.
TotalEnergies Posts War-Driven Earnings Surge as LNG Decisions Reshape Outlook
TotalEnergies reported second-quarter adjusted net income of $6 billion, up 67% year-over-year, driven almost entirely by Iran war disruptions that lifted crude and gas prices and boosted European refining margins. Refining and chemicals income rose 362% to $1.8 billion, while exploration and production earnings climbed 64% to $3.2 billion. The company also took a final investment decision with Eni on the Cronos gas field off Cyprus, targeting 2.8 million tons a year of LNG production starting in 2028, and secured an EU exemption allowing it to keep supplying Asian buyers from its Yamal LNG stake under pre-invasion contracts. Analysts remain split, with TD Cowen raising its price target to $105 and Mizuho initiating with a $103 target, while Piper Sandler started coverage at Neutral with an $85 target.
SuperCritical Materials Licenses Patented Uranium Extraction Technology from Battelle
SuperCritical Materials Corp. has secured an exclusive license from Battelle Memorial Institute to a patented uranium adsorbent technology for extracting uranium from seawater, originally developed by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and research partners. The Austin-based company aims to commercialize the technology at industrial scale in the United States and later expand to allied nations, targeting a resource that holds approximately 4.5 billion metric tons of uranium in the world's oceans. The move comes as U.S. energy policy shifts toward securing private fuel-cycle capacity to support advanced reactor deployments, with SuperCritical positioning itself as a supplier of nuclear fuel and critical materials for the Intelligence Economy. The company's technical team includes Dr. Gary Gill, a former PNNL deputy director and co-founder who is a leading expert in seawater uranium extraction.
Teck Resources Posts Record Copper-Fueled Q2 Earnings Beat
Teck Resources reported sharply stronger second-quarter 2026 results, with sales rising to C$3,605 million and net income to C$854 million, driven by record copper prices and roughly 25% higher copper production. The company maintained its dividend at C$0.125 per share and continued progressing its planned merger with Anglo American. The quarter featured record adjusted EBITDA margins, reinforcing copper as the key near-term catalyst. Teck also highlighted plans to expand germanium, gallium, and antimony output at its Trail Operations, supporting its critical minerals strategy.
US and Saudi Arabia Sign Nuclear Deal, Opening Path to Uranium Enrichment
The United States and Saudi Arabia have signed a nuclear technology cooperation agreement, paving the way for American companies to build nuclear reactors in Saudi Arabia and potentially allowing the kingdom to enrich uranium itself. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman signed the peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement and a bilateral safeguards agreement. The deal is expected to create business opportunities for US firms such as Westinghouse Electric, but it has raised concerns among some experts and members of Congress who fear it could enable Saudi Arabia to process uranium into weapons-grade material. The Wall Street Journal reports that under the agreement, US companies could build uranium enrichment plants in Saudi Arabia if a joint study deems it necessary, with the project valued at tens of billions of dollars. The signing comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, with the US arguing it aims to curb Iran's nuclear program and prevent nuclear proliferation.
Uranium ETF URA Drops 18% While Spot Uranium Holds at $85
The Global X Uranium ETF has fallen 18% over the past month even as spot uranium prices held near $85 per pound, revealing a disconnect between mining equities and the underlying commodity. Cameco, which accounts for roughly a fifth of URA's portfolio, dropped 19% in the same period and is the primary reason the ETF underperforms spot uranium. Long-term utility contracts drive 80% of uranium volume and matter far more than spot prices for miner earnings and URA's recovery path. Analysts say investors should watch the UxC long-term contract price and Cameco's realized price in its next earnings report, as both need to move higher for URA to reclaim recent highs.
TRISO-X receives $11 million Tennessee grant to expand nuclear fuel campus
TRISO-X has been awarded an $11 million economic development grant from the State of Tennessee to support the continued development of its fuel fabrication campus in Oak Ridge. The funding comes from the state’s Nuclear Energy Supply Chain Investment Fund and will help advance a potential second commercial fuel facility, TX-2, and a dedicated research and development center, TX-L, alongside the TX-1 facility already under construction. Together, the three facilities are designed to establish one of the world’s largest commercial-scale nuclear fuel fabrication campuses, with capacity to produce enough TRISO-X fuel for approximately 55 of X-energy’s Xe-100 advanced small modular reactors, representing nearly 4.5 gigawatts of new advanced nuclear power capacity. TX-2 alone is expected to create more than 1,000 permanent jobs. The expansion builds on TRISO-X’s recent 40-year license from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and nearly a decade of fuel development, positioning the United States to reclaim leadership in advanced nuclear fuel production.
Oklo Plans to Recycle U.S. Spent Nuclear Fuel with Fast Reactors
Oklo aims to use the nearly 100,000 metric tons of spent nuclear fuel accumulated in the U.S. over six decades as fuel for its Aurora fast reactors. Conventional light-water reactors extract less than 5% of the total energy potential from enriched uranium, leaving substantial energy in used fuel that Oklo's design can utilize. The company is investing nearly $1.7 billion to build a nuclear fuel recycling facility in Tennessee, with construction expected to start in 2027 and recycled fuel production projected for the 2030s. Oklo's initial reactors will use fresh HALEU fuel, but its long-term vision includes recycling spent fuel to expand domestic supplies and reduce high-level waste by 90% compared to conventional reactors. The company's anchor project is a 75-MWe reactor at Idaho National Laboratory targeting 2028 operations, and it has a deal with Meta Platforms for a 1.2-GW clean energy campus in Ohio slated to begin delivering power in 2030.
Energy Fuels Outperforms Cameco as Uranium and Rare Earths Drive Growth
Energy Fuels offers a stronger investment opportunity than Cameco, according to a Zacks Investment Research analysis, driven by accelerating uranium production and an expanding rare earth business. Energy Fuels' first-quarter 2026 revenues surged 112% year over year to $35.8 million, and the company expects to mine 2 to 2.5 million pounds of uranium in 2026 while processing between 1.5 million and 2.5 million pounds of finished uranium. Cameco's first-quarter 2026 total revenues rose 7% to CAD 845 million, but its full-year 2026 revenue guidance implies a 7% year-over-year decline at the midpoint, and the company recently faced temporary operational disruptions at Cigar Lake and Key Lake. Energy Fuels also benefits from rare earth progress, including a conditional commitment for up to $725 million in U.S. government financing and the planned acquisition of Australian Strategic Materials, while Cameco holds a 49% stake in Westinghouse and could benefit from up to $17.5 billion in U.S. Department of Energy support for nuclear reactors. Energy Fuels carries a Zacks Rank number 2, or Buy, and Cameco holds a Zacks Rank number 3, or Hold.
Uranium Energy advances US uranium refining and conversion plant plans
Uranium Energy's subsidiary, United States Uranium Refining & Conversion Corp., has advanced plans for a new U.S. uranium refining and conversion plant, targeting a key gap in Western nuclear fuel infrastructure. The company positions itself as the only U.S. supplier aiming to offer both uranium and UF6, which could support new revenue streams from refining and conversion fees. The stock last closed at $9.93, while a widely followed narrative fair value estimate stands at about $21.91, suggesting a potential undervaluation of 54.7%. However, the bullish case depends on aggressive revenue growth, a swing to profitability, and rich future valuation multiples, and could unravel if uranium prices weaken or the project faces delays and cost overruns.
BofA slashes commodity forecasts but uranium remains top conviction call for 2026
Bank of America has cut 32 price objectives across its commodities coverage and lowered 2026 estimates for 31 of the 33 companies it tracks, yet uranium stands out as its top conviction call with 23% upside versus spot. The firm sees Cameco as its top uranium pick, citing leverage to higher realized prices, a solid balance sheet, and roughly 48% upside to its price target, while also flagging the benefit of Cameco's 49% stake in Westinghouse Electric Company amid the U.S. nuclear buildout. In precious metals, BofA trimmed its 2026 gold forecast by 14% to $4,360 an ounce and added Pan American Silver as a new top pick, pointing to 56% potential upside. Freeport-McMoRan remains the top base metals pick with about 35% upside, while aluminum forecasts were cut materially, leaving little room for gains.
Uranium Energy expands U.S. nuclear fuel strategy with conversion push and critical minerals
Uranium Energy Corp. is positioning itself as a key player in the U.S. nuclear fuel supply chain by pairing its domestic in-situ recovery production with a proposed uranium conversion facility. The company holds what it describes as the largest uranium resource base and most licensed production capacity in the United States, with hub-and-spoke operations in Wyoming and South Texas totaling about 12 million pounds of licensed annual capacity. Its subsidiary United States Uranium Refining & Conversion Corp. has received a U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission docket number for a planned conversion facility, with engineering and design work by Fluor ongoing and a formal license application expected after site selection. UEC also adds critical-mineral exposure through its Alto Paraná project in Paraguay, where a preliminary economic assessment showed a net present value of up to $1.55 billion and a 25% post-tax internal rate of return for the larger-scale development case. Despite the strategic narrative, near-term execution remains a concern, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate projecting a loss of 19 cents per share for fiscal 2026 and a loss of 11 cents for fiscal 2027, and the stock currently carrying a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
Centrus Energy to join S&P SmallCap 600 amid nuclear fuel expansion
Centrus Energy is set to join the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, reflecting its role in U.S. nuclear energy security and efforts to restore the domestic fuel supply chain. The company is expanding uranium enrichment capacity and has reached a key Department of Energy contract milestone for advanced nuclear fuel. The index inclusion may draw additional institutional and ETF interest, while investors watch how new contracts and capacity expansion translate into financial performance.
Standard Nuclear Seeks to Raise $383 Million in US IPO
Standard Nuclear Inc., a maker of fuel for nuclear reactors, is seeking to raise as much as $383 million in a US initial public offering. The Oak Ridge, Tennessee-based company plans to market 18.25 million shares for $18 to $21 each, according to a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. At the top of that range, Standard Nuclear would have a market value of about $3.5 billion. The firm designs and makes Triso fuel, poppyseed-sized uranium kernels that burn hotter and longer than conventional fuel, and has agreed to collaborate with Oklo Inc. on nuclear fuel recycling. The offering is being led by Bank of America Corp. and Goldman Sachs Group Inc., and the company expects to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol STDN.
RBC Capital raised its price target on Cameco Corporation to C$175 from C$160 while maintaining an Outperform rating. The firm cited improving uranium pricing, rising nuclear demand, and strong sovereign and utility buying interest, along with higher-than-reported contract pricing and supportive US and Canadian nuclear policies. Separately, Cameco announced an agreement to acquire TEPCO Resources' 5% interest in the Cigar Lake Joint Venture for about C$115.75 million, increasing its ownership stake to 57.418% upon closing, expected in the third quarter of 2026. The company reaffirmed Cigar Lake's 2026 production outlook of 17.5 million to 18 million pounds of uranium concentrate.
Centrus Energy Stock Plunges 32% From All-Time High, But Long-Term Outlook Remains Strong
Centrus Energy shares have fallen about 63% from their all-time high of $464.25 in October 2025, creating a potential buying opportunity for long-term investors. The company is the only U.S.-licensed producer of high-assay, low-enriched uranium, or HALEU, which is essential for next-generation nuclear reactors and has a market opportunity that could reach $8 billion annually by 2035. Centrus reported mixed first-quarter results with GAAP earnings per share of $0.45 missing estimates, but non-GAAP adjusted earnings per share of $1.05 beat consensus, and management raised full-year revenue guidance to between $450 million and $500 million. The company holds a $3.9 billion order backlog extending through 2040 and operates under a Department of Energy HALEU contract worth up to $900 million, de-risking its expansion. On June 19, Centrus signed an agreement to supply HALEU to Oklo for up to five Aurora powerhouses in Southern Ohio, with deliveries starting in 2029.
Energy Fuels pivots to critical minerals with $725 million DoD financing commitment
Energy Fuels is transforming from a pure-play uranium miner into a diversified critical-minerals processor, leveraging its White Mesa Mill in Utah—the only U.S. facility licensed to handle radioactive byproducts from rare-earth ores. The U.S. Department of Defense’s Office of Strategic Capital has issued a conditional commitment for up to $725 million in long-term debt financing to support the build-out of its critical-mineral capabilities. The company plans to begin modifying its Phase 1 circuits in July to process globally sourced uranium-bearing mixed rare-earth carbonates, with full operations expected in late 2027 or early 2028. Energy Fuels also recently announced a $1.9 billion cash-and-stock acquisition of Vacuumschmelze GmbH & Co. KG from Ara Partners, a move that will dilute existing shareholders. The stock is considered best suited for aggressive, long-term investors willing to tolerate volatility during this capital-intensive transition.
The Oregon Group Launches Expanded Critical Minerals Intelligence Platform
The Oregon Group has expanded its critical minerals and energy intelligence platform to deliver real-time, institutional-grade analysis across the full critical minerals supply chain. The expansion comes as the firm's May 2026 research series identifies a rare convergence of simultaneous supply disruptions, including a 129-million-barrel drop in global observed oil inventories in March and another 117-million-barrel drop in April, flooding at Cameco's Saskatchewan uranium operations, Freeport-McMoRan's delay of the Grasberg copper mine restart to 2028, Sherritt International's exit from Cuba removing a key Western-aligned nickel operator, and rare earth constraints limiting production timelines at major technology companies. The platform integrates daily news alerts, long-form investment insights, commodity-specific reports, podcast content, and guest contributor analysis, serving individual investors, mining executives, fund managers, and institutional research teams. Founder Anthony Milewski stated that the platform was built for the moment when risks of a sharp repricing stop being theoretical, and the firm's research also highlights structural themes such as corporate treasury allocations into physical critical minerals and the rise of tokenized commodity instruments.
Stocks Climb on Micron Earnings and Economic Optimism
Stocks climbed today, with the Dow Jones Industrials reaching a new all-time high, driven by a surge in chipmakers after Micron Technology's blowout forecast. Micron is up more than 11% after forecasting fourth-quarter revenue of 50 billion dollars, well above the consensus of 43.24 billion dollars. Qualcomm is up more than 4% after forecasting annual sales of more than 15 billion dollars from artificial intelligence components for data centers by fiscal 2029. Gains were also supported by stronger-than-expected US economic data, including an upward revision to first-quarter GDP, a larger-than-expected drop in weekly jobless claims, and robust personal spending and income figures. However, the S&P 500 briefly turned lower as Apple fell more than 5% after raising prices on several products to offset memory chip shortages, and the Magnificent Seven technology stocks broadly weakened. Falling crude oil prices, with WTI crude hitting a four-month low, further boosted market sentiment.