Latest news with #smallmodularreactors
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Oklo Stock Popped, Then Dropped Today
Key Points Oklo and its subsidiary won a total of three Department of Energy contracts to build pilot small modular nuclear reactors. Nano Nuclear and NuScale Power won no contracts. But eight other companies not named Oklo also won contracts. 10 stocks we like better than Oklo › Shares of Oklo (NYSE: OKLO), one of a handful of start-up nuclear power companies aiming to commercialize small modular reactors, jumped more than 6% in early trading Wednesday before reversing course and losing it all. As of 12:35 p.m. ET, Oklo stock is now down 1%. So why did Oklo pop and then drop? Good news for Oklo The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) picked Oklo to perform two projects under its new Reactor Pilot Program, and picked Oklo subsidiary Atomic Alchemy to perform a third, the company announced today. All three projects are in furtherance of President Donald Trump's May 2025 executive order to get at least three working small modular reactors (SMRs) up and running by July 4, 2026. This sounds like pretty great news for Oklo, and we haven't heard (yet) about either of its closest rivals in the SMR space, Nano Nuclear Energy (NASDAQ: NNE) or NuScale Power (NYSE: SMR), winning similar contracts. Both of those other nuclear stocks are down today, by the way, and down even more than Oklo. Less-good news for Oklo Digging a little deeper into the news, however, and going to DOE's website to learn if any other companies did win contracts, I discovered that a total of 10 separate companies (two of which are Oklo or its subsidiary) did win contracts. Neither of the 10 is Nano Nuclear or NuScale, which is pretty bad news for those companies, I suspect. But also, eight of them are not Oklo, and that means Oklo's not quite the odds-on favorite to inaugurate the nation's nuclear renaissance, as its initial press release might lead one to believe. And this, I suspect, is why Oklo stock was unable to hold on to its gains today. Should you invest $1,000 in Oklo right now? Before you buy stock in Oklo, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Oklo wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $653,427!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,119,863!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,060% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 182% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of August 13, 2025 Rich Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends NuScale Power. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Why Oklo Stock Popped, Then Dropped Today was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio
CBS News
06-08-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Denver to look at nuclear option for power at Denver International Airport
Denver is planning to look at the feasibility of nuclear power generation for Denver International Airport. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and Denver International Airport CEO Phil Washington will make a joint announcement Wednesday about studying what are called small module nuclear reactors. The announcement comes on the day Colorado law changes the classification of nuclear energy's definition under state law to include it as a clean energy resource. Small module nuclear reactors do not have the massive generating capacity of large-scale facilities of the past with the high cooling towers. But advocates say they have the potential to provide consistent, reliable power. "The idea, with many of the small modular reactors, is you can drive them up on a semi. put them down on a concrete pad and plug them in, and they just go," said Professor Thomas Albrecht, director of the Nuclear Science and Engineering Center at the Colorado School of Mines. "The idea of many of these designs is you could keep adding them." Supporters of the technology believe it is safer than the designs of large-scale nuclear reactors of the past. "Most of the small modular reactors aren't cooled by water. They're either cooled by molten salts, which have very, very high boiling points, or they're cooled by liquid metals. And that's actually the more common design," said Albrecht. The airport is expecting passenger numbers to increase to 120 million passengers annually by 2045. The city says, "A sustainable power supply will be necessary to meet the demands of airport assets, as well as the airport's safety and customer experience goals." But the change in the law to identify nuclear power as clean energy still had opposition from many environmental groups. Dozens signed a letter to Governor Jared Polis opposing the change. "First of all, nuclear energy creates nuclear waste. It simply cannot be regarded as clean when it is creating waste that lasts countless generations," said Chris Allred, nuclear guardianship coordinator at Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center, and an environmental group based in Boulder. "It's being sold that it's safer. It's being rebranded as advanced nuclear with new designs that have yet to be implemented. There are many that are still in a prototype," he added. There are firms proposing small modular reactors and improving designs. But opposition groups believe the technology is not the only energy source improving. "As time moves forward, as you know, these nuclear technologies are trying to advance and get permitting, and things like that. Renewable energy technologies are also going to be advancing, and they're advancing at a much faster pace," said Jamie Valdez, executive director of Roots to Resilience, a Pueblo-based environmental group. Any study of feasibility will have to consider cost. And the costs for the modular nuclear reactors are as yet unclear. "So that is the big question," said Professor Albrecht. "We have had most of the small modular reactor companies come to the Colorado School of Mines and make presentations. And one of those presentations was purely on the economics of it." Larger nuclear facilities have scale in their favor. "As they get smaller, then it becomes a little more debatable," said Albrecht.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
After Skyrocketing More Than 559% Over the Past Year, Can Oklo Stock Continue Powering Higher?
Oklo, a developer of small modular nuclear reactors, has seen its stock soar over the past year. Political support for the nuclear energy industry can benefit the company in the future. The growth of data centers and radioisotopic production are two trends that can contribute to Oklo's growth. 10 stocks we like better than Oklo › Amid the current renaissance in the nuclear energy industry, several stocks with exposure to this niche of the energy industry have logged considerable gains recently. Oklo (NYSE: OKLO), for example, has been on an absolute tear, soaring 559.6% as of this writing. And there's plenty of reasons to believe that the stock can continue to rocket even higher as enthusiasm for nuclear energy increases. While some growth stocks may log multibagger returns in a single year thanks to merely one catalyst, Oklo's gains stem from several factors. Investors bid the stock higher in late 2024 when the company announced that it had received letters of intent from two data center customers for the deployment of its Aurora powerhouse small modular reactors. In total, the potential deals can provide up to 750 megawatts in capacity across the United States. The company also announced a nonbinding agreement with Switch -- a company that provides artificial intelligence (AI), cloud, and enterprise data centers -- to deploy 12 gigawatts in Aurora powerhouse projects through 2044. The start of 2025 also proved to be fruitful for the stock. With Sam Altman's OpenAI announcing the Stargate Project in January, investors raced to purchase Oklo, recognizing that the OpenAI plan to develop data center infrastructure could be a potential boon for the company. More recently, the executive orders that President Donald Trump signed in May aimed at reinvigorating the nation's nuclear energy industry represented another catalyst for the stock. After decades of Washington's disinterest in development of the nuclear industry, the Trump administration is clearly enthusiastic about its potential. For prospective investors or current shareholders, it's reasonable to question whether the stock can continue its meteoric rise. Simply put, the answer is a resounding yes. With the extraordinary computing demands that generative AI is placing on data centers, AI companies are investing heavily in data center infrastructure. Research from Dell'Oro Group estimates that global spending is expected to soar from $430 billion on data centers in 2024 to $1.1 trillion by 2029. The interest that Oklo received last year from these developers will very likely extend through 2025 and beyond, helping to push the stock higher. The political goodwill toward the nuclear industry will also benefit the stock. In early June, for example, Oklo notched another victory when the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission agreed to review a report from the company, which could receive regulatory approval for licensing operators for the company's Aurora powerhouse. Oklo's progress with its subsidiary Atomic Alchemy represents another factor that can lift the stock. In June, work began at a planned radioisotopic production facility in Idaho -- just one of what management expects will be numerous projects that will expand its capabilities in commercial radioisotope production. While not as widely discussed as data centers and AI, the market for radioisotopic production is expected to experience notable growth in the coming years. According to Credence Research, the market is projected to soar at an 89.7% compound annual growth rate from about $5.68 billion in 2024 to $953 billion in 2032. Before clicking the buy button on the stock, it's imperative for potential investors to recognize that there are bound to be bumps in the road. Disrupting an industry doesn't come without some volatility, and there's certainly no guarantee that Oklo will prosper as management imagines it will. So, only investors comfortable with the inherent risks should consider a position. Those who have the resolve to stick with Oklo through the ups and downs may find themselves looking at a stock that provides a considerable return. Before you buy stock in Oklo, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Oklo wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $699,558!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $976,677!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,060% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 180% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 30, 2025 Scott Levine has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. After Skyrocketing More Than 559% Over the Past Year, Can Oklo Stock Continue Powering Higher? was originally published by The Motley Fool
Globe and Mail
04-07-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Why NuScale Power Stock Rocketed 23.7% Higher in June
Key Points Small modular reactor developer NuScale Power has seen its stock soar over the past two months. Political support for nuclear energy is merely one factor pushing the stock higher. While enthusiasm for nuclear energy stocks remains high, only investors comfortable with a high-risk investment should remain interested in NuScale Power. After soaring 93% in May, some may have speculated that NuScale Power (NYSE: SMR) stock would have powered down in June and given back some of its gains. But they would have been greatly mistaken. Thanks to growing political support for nuclear power and the company in talks regarding potential deals with data center developers, investors felt motivated to buy small modular reactor (SMR) developer NuScale Power. According to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence, NuScale Power stock rose 23.7% in June. Orders out of Washington seek more nuclear -- and investors were listening Some of the enthusiasm behind NuScale Power's stock early in the month can be attributed to President Donald Trump's executive orders from May 23 meant to reinvigorate growth in the nuclear energy industry. Specifically, the orders intend to spur expeditious installation of "advanced nuclear technologies to support national security objectives, including powering artificial intelligence (AI) computing infrastructure and national security installations." The Nuclear Regulatory Commission's approval of a second design for the company's SMR represented another catalyst for the stock's rise in late May. NuScale Power proclaims itself as the only SMR company with approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. With the approval in late May, two designs are now approved: a 50 megawatt power module and a 77 megawatt power module. Bulls continued the buying activity early in the month upon learning of the company's apparent progress toward inking a deal with a top hyperscaler customer. In speaking with Axios Pro on June 5, NuScale Power's CEO John Hopkins stated that the company is in talks with several "Tier 1" hyperscalers that are interested in purchasing power from the company. Hyperscaler companies are making massive investments to support data centers that are specifically suited for AI -- and many are partnering with SMR companies. Alphabet, for example, signed a deal with SMR developer Kairos, while SMR developer Oklo inked deals with several data center developers last year as well. Is it too late to power your portfolio with NuScale Power stock? It's clear that enthusiasm for NuScale Power has been extraordinarily strong lately. What's not so clear, however, is whether the company will be able to fulfill its promise of helping to facilitate the nation's nuclear energy renaissance. The company is sure to experience some volatility as it continues its plight, so only investors with ample tolerance for risk should consider a position at this point. For those interested in a more conservative approach, a nuclear energy-focused exchange-traded fund may be a better choice. Should you invest $1,000 in NuScale Power right now? Before you buy stock in NuScale Power, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and NuScale Power wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $699,558!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $976,677!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor 's total average return is1,060% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to180%for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 30, 2025
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Can Oklo Stock Hit $75 in 2025?
Nuclear energy provider Oklo (OKLO), which made its public debut just last year through a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) merger, is certainly reaping the benefits from the increased interest in nuclear power as artificial intelligence (AI) and data center operations create an excess demand for electricity. In fact, the stock just landed a fresh Street-high price target this month, signaling growing conviction in its long-term potential. After Oklo won an important government contract to power an Air Force base in Alaska, Wedbush analysts raised the price target on the company's stock from $55 to a Street-high price target of $75. Wedbush sees significant potential in Oklo to leverage the growing demand for clean energy. They see the startup as a 'clear leader' in this field on the basis of its business model. Tesla's Robotaxis Reportedly Sped and Veered Into the Wrong Lanes. Does This Crush the Bull Case for TSLA Stock? 1 Dividend Stock to Buy Yielding Over 7% Ditch Big Tech and Buy These 3 Popular Stocks in 2025 Instead Tired of missing midday reversals? The FREE Barchart Brief newsletter keeps you in the know. Sign up now! Oklo shares recently touched a new 52-week high of $73.55, just below the Street-high target, but have since pulled back to the $55 level. Founded in 2013, California-based Oklo (OKLO) focuses on small modular reactors (SMRs), which it is working to ramp to commercial operations. Oklo has a market cap of around $7.8 billion. Unlike conventional nuclear reactors, which sell power to utility companies, Oklo plans to directly operate its microreactors and sell power directly to customers, which are expected to provide recurring revenues and greater flexibility in deploying nuclear power. Although Oklo is still a pre-revenue company, the company's stock has been skyrocketing recently as nuclear power gains traction. Over the past 52 weeks, the stock has surged by a whopping 528%. In 2025 alone, Oklo's shares are up an impressive 165%. On May 13, Oklo reported its first quarter results. As already stated, the company is not generating any revenues at the moment. The company reported that total operating expenses were $17.9 million, which was subsequently its loss from operations. This was mainly due to payroll and professional fees. Expenses also included approximately $2.3 million of non-cash stock-based compensation. Its net loss narrowed from $24 million to $9.8 million year-over-year. The net loss per share dropped from $0.34 to $0.07, which was better than the $0.10 loss per share that Wall Street analysts were expecting. Moreover, Oklo doesn't seem to be having trouble generating cash at the moment. As of the end of Q1, the company's cash and marketable securities totaled $260.7 million. Oklo is extremely optimistic about its operations. The company initiated Phase 1 of its pre-application readiness assessment for the Aurora-INL Powerhouse Combined License Application (COLA) with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Additionally, Oklo achieved eligibility to pursue contracts under the Advanced Nuclear Power for Installations (ANPI), a U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) program that facilitates the deployment of nuclear power. This eligibility opens up the possibility for near-term deployments of Oklo's offerings on defense installations. The company also added a potential revenue stream by acquiring Atomic Alchemy, a company specializing in the production of radioisotopes for use in chip manufacturing (particularly for AI), national defense, medical, and industrial applications. These developments, combined with heightened interest in nuclear power for energy generation and a flurry of supportive executive orders, position the company for growth in the near term. Barring unforeseen circumstances, Oklo aims to achieve active plant operations starting from late 2027 or early 2028. Apart from Wedbush's Street-high target, Seaport Global's Jeff Campbell also turned bullish on Oklo, upgrading the stock from 'Neutral' to 'Buy' and assigning a fresh $71 price target, showing significant confidence about the company's growth prospects. William Blair also initiated coverage of Oklo with an 'Outperform' rating. William Blair analysts, led by Jed Dorsheimer, believe that the company is a 'standout' in the nuclear industry due to its unique business model and see it well-positioned to benefit from increasing electricity prices, as hyperscalers look to sign power purchase agreements. H.C. Wainwright also initiated coverage of Oklo with a 'Buy' rating, giving it a price target of $55. Oklo is earning high marks on Wall Street, with analysts awarding it a consensus 'Moderate Buy' rating. Of the nine analysts covering the stock, five analysts have rated it a 'Strong Buy,' one suggests a 'Moderate Buy,' and three analysts are playing it safe with a 'Hold' rating. The consensus price target of $60.28 represents 9% upside potential. However, Wedbush's Street-high price target of $75 indicates 36% upside. On the date of publication, Anushka Mukherji did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
