AI's Demand for Energy Drives Nuclear ETFs to Record Levels
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Sep 22 2025
0mins
Should l Buy SMR?
Source: Benzinga
Nuclear ETFs Surge: Nuclear-themed ETFs, such as the VanEck Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF (NLR) and the Range Nuclear Renaissance Index ETF (NUKZ), have seen significant gains, with NLR reaching an all-time high and both ETFs up over 100% from their lows, reflecting a growing investor interest in nuclear energy's role in the AI revolution.
Market Potential and Policy Support: A Bank of America report highlights a potential $10 trillion market opportunity for nuclear energy by 2050, driven by increased demand for reliable energy sources. Policy support from the Trump administration and revised growth expectations from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) further bolster the sector's outlook.
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Analyst Views on SMR
Wall Street analysts forecast SMR stock price to rise
13 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
6 Hold
2 Sell
Hold
Current: 13.520
Low
18.50
Averages
32.77
High
60.00
Current: 13.520
Low
18.50
Averages
32.77
High
60.00
About SMR
NuScale Power Corporation is a provider of proprietary advanced small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear technology. The NuScale Power Module, the Company's SMR technology, is a small pressurized water reactor that can generate approximately 77 megawatts of electricity (MWe) or 250 megawatts thermal (gross) and can be scaled to meet customer needs through an array of flexible configurations of up to 924 MWe (12 modules) of output. In addition to the sale of NPMs, it offers a diversified suite of services throughout the development and operating life of the power plant. The Company's suite of services is planned to include licensing support, testing, training, fuel supply services and program management, among others. It serves a range of customers consisting of domestic and international governments, utilities, state-owned enterprises and technology and industrial companies in need of carbon-free, reliable energy.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Amazon's Investment in X-Energy: IPO Insights
- Future of Nuclear Energy: Founded in 2009, X-Energy focuses on developing industrial-sized nuclear reactors, with its Xe-100 gas-cooled SMRs capable of producing 80 megawatts of electricity each, addressing the urgent demand for low-cost clean energy in data centers.
- Funding Collaboration: In 2024, Amazon became the anchor investor in X-Energy's $500 million Series C funding round, with plans to jointly produce 5 gigawatts of energy by 2039, reflecting confidence in the future nuclear energy market.
- Market Performance: X-Energy went public on April 24 at $23 per share, and despite experiencing short-term volatility, its stock price has risen 30% from the IPO, reaching a market cap of $9.2 billion, indicating investor interest in its future potential.
- Financial Challenges: Although X-Energy reported $109 million in revenue for 2025, its $390 million comprehensive loss indicates that the company is not yet profitable and is unlikely to launch any products for the next five years, facing competition from companies like Oklo and NuScale.
See More
X-Energy Partners with Amazon to Develop Small Nuclear Reactors
- Partnership Agreement: X-Energy has entered into a partnership with Amazon to produce 5 gigawatts (GW) of power by 2039, with Amazon serving as the anchor investor in a $500 million Series C funding round, indicating strong confidence in small modular reactor technology.
- Product Development Progress: Although X-Energy's Xe-100 gas-cooled small modular reactors can generate 80 megawatts (MW) each, the company currently lacks finished products and aims to launch them by 2030, reflecting challenges in its product development timeline.
- Financial Status: In 2025, X-Energy reported $109 million in revenue and grant income but faced a comprehensive loss of $390 million, indicating that its business model has yet to achieve profitability and carries significant investment risks.
- Market Competition: X-Energy faces competition from companies like Oklo and NuScale, as well as traditional nuclear reactor manufacturers, creating a highly uncertain market outlook for its future.
See More
NuScale Power Stock Volatility and Growth Potential
- Significant Stock Volatility: NuScale Power's shares surged over 20% in the past 30 days; however, since reaching an all-time high last October, the stock has plummeted approximately 77%, from over $50 to $13, indicating extreme market volatility.
- Massive Market Opportunity: According to Bank of America, nuclear energy could create a $10 trillion global market opportunity over the next 20 to 30 years, while NuScale's current market cap stands at only $4.3 billion, highlighting substantial potential for growth.
- Technology Maturity Timeline: NuScale does not expect its first small modular reactor system to be operational until around 2032, with other competitors facing similar construction timelines, suggesting that significant market demand growth is unlikely in the short term.
- Investment Risk Advisory: Given the scarcity of real-world deployment examples for small modular reactors, investors should brace for extreme stock price volatility, particularly in the coming years, as market acceptance and risk tolerance for these emerging technologies will directly impact stock performance.
See More
Nuclear Energy Resurgence: U.S. Aims to Quadruple Capacity by 2050
- Surging Nuclear Demand: U.S. lawmakers aim to quadruple nuclear energy capacity by 2050, accelerating the deployment of next-generation reactors to meet rising energy demands, particularly from hyperscale data centers, highlighting nuclear energy's critical role in future energy frameworks.
- Oklo's Technological Innovation: Oklo's Aurora Powerhouse microreactor, designed to deliver between 15 and 75 megawatts using liquid-metal-cooled fast-fission technology, is expected to begin operations by late 2027 or early 2028, catering to industrial clients' needs for reliable baseload power, showcasing significant market potential.
- NuScale's Market Leadership: NuScale Power stands out as the only small modular reactor developer with NRC approval for its 77-megawatt design, with operations on the RoPower project in Romania targeted to start in 2033, demonstrating its competitive edge in the nuclear energy sector.
- GE Vernova's Strategic Positioning: GE Vernova is constructing North America's only commercial small modular reactor in Ontario, expected to be operational by 2029, while its collaboration with TVA will further advance its nuclear projects, enhancing its market position.
See More
Nuclear Energy Technology Resurgence and Investment Opportunities
- Oklo Microreactors: Oklo's Aurora Powerhouse microreactors are designed to utilize used nuclear fuel, providing between 15 to 75 megawatts of power, with operations expected to commence by late 2027 or early 2028, catering to the reliable baseload power needs of industrial and data center customers.
- NuScale's Market Leadership: NuScale is the only small modular reactor developer to receive Standard Design Approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, with its 77-megawatt design approved in 2025, set to be deployed in the RoPower project in Romania, targeting operational start in 2033.
- GE Vernova's Construction Progress: GE Vernova is actively building the only commercial BWRX-300 small modular reactor in North America at its Ontario site, expected to be operational by 2029, and has secured a $400 million federal grant to accelerate the project's deployment.
- Growing Nuclear Demand: As energy demand rises, U.S. lawmakers aim to quadruple nuclear energy capacity by 2050, accelerating the deployment of small modular reactors and microreactors, indicating a strong resurgence potential in the nuclear energy market.
See More
AI-Driven Nuclear Energy Investment Opportunities
- Massive Market Potential: According to McKinsey's report, global spending on data centers is projected to reach $7 trillion by 2030, highlighting the urgent demand for computing power in the AI sector, thus creating significant market opportunities for energy companies.
- Strategic Advantage of Oklo: Oklo's business model focuses on small modular reactors (SMRs) that can provide reliable baseload electricity to data centers, particularly in remote areas, with its stock rising approximately 200% over the past year, underscoring its importance in meeting AI energy demands.
- NuScale's Competitive Strategy: With a market capitalization of just $4.3 billion, NuScale Power is focused on developing a 6-gigawatt SMR system in partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority, and despite facing competition from other SMR companies, its undervaluation may present an attractive opportunity for investors.
- Diversified Investment Portfolio: Investing in both Oklo and NuScale offers investors dual pathways to profit from the $7 trillion data center boom, making it particularly important to diversify risk in an uncertain market environment.
See More
Amazon's Investment in X-Energy: IPO Insights
- Future of Nuclear Energy: Founded in 2009, X-Energy focuses on developing industrial-sized nuclear reactors, with its Xe-100 gas-cooled SMRs capable of producing 80 megawatts of electricity each, addressing the urgent demand for low-cost clean energy in data centers.
- Funding Collaboration: In 2024, Amazon became the anchor investor in X-Energy's $500 million Series C funding round, with plans to jointly produce 5 gigawatts of energy by 2039, reflecting confidence in the future nuclear energy market.
- Market Performance: X-Energy went public on April 24 at $23 per share, and despite experiencing short-term volatility, its stock price has risen 30% from the IPO, reaching a market cap of $9.2 billion, indicating investor interest in its future potential.
- Financial Challenges: Although X-Energy reported $109 million in revenue for 2025, its $390 million comprehensive loss indicates that the company is not yet profitable and is unlikely to launch any products for the next five years, facing competition from companies like Oklo and NuScale.
See More
X-Energy Partners with Amazon to Develop Small Nuclear Reactors
- Partnership Agreement: X-Energy has entered into a partnership with Amazon to produce 5 gigawatts (GW) of power by 2039, with Amazon serving as the anchor investor in a $500 million Series C funding round, indicating strong confidence in small modular reactor technology.
- Product Development Progress: Although X-Energy's Xe-100 gas-cooled small modular reactors can generate 80 megawatts (MW) each, the company currently lacks finished products and aims to launch them by 2030, reflecting challenges in its product development timeline.
- Financial Status: In 2025, X-Energy reported $109 million in revenue and grant income but faced a comprehensive loss of $390 million, indicating that its business model has yet to achieve profitability and carries significant investment risks.
- Market Competition: X-Energy faces competition from companies like Oklo and NuScale, as well as traditional nuclear reactor manufacturers, creating a highly uncertain market outlook for its future.
See More
NuScale Power Stock Volatility and Growth Potential
- Significant Stock Volatility: NuScale Power's shares surged over 20% in the past 30 days; however, since reaching an all-time high last October, the stock has plummeted approximately 77%, from over $50 to $13, indicating extreme market volatility.
- Massive Market Opportunity: According to Bank of America, nuclear energy could create a $10 trillion global market opportunity over the next 20 to 30 years, while NuScale's current market cap stands at only $4.3 billion, highlighting substantial potential for growth.
- Technology Maturity Timeline: NuScale does not expect its first small modular reactor system to be operational until around 2032, with other competitors facing similar construction timelines, suggesting that significant market demand growth is unlikely in the short term.
- Investment Risk Advisory: Given the scarcity of real-world deployment examples for small modular reactors, investors should brace for extreme stock price volatility, particularly in the coming years, as market acceptance and risk tolerance for these emerging technologies will directly impact stock performance.
See More
Nuclear Energy Resurgence: U.S. Aims to Quadruple Capacity by 2050
- Surging Nuclear Demand: U.S. lawmakers aim to quadruple nuclear energy capacity by 2050, accelerating the deployment of next-generation reactors to meet rising energy demands, particularly from hyperscale data centers, highlighting nuclear energy's critical role in future energy frameworks.
- Oklo's Technological Innovation: Oklo's Aurora Powerhouse microreactor, designed to deliver between 15 and 75 megawatts using liquid-metal-cooled fast-fission technology, is expected to begin operations by late 2027 or early 2028, catering to industrial clients' needs for reliable baseload power, showcasing significant market potential.
- NuScale's Market Leadership: NuScale Power stands out as the only small modular reactor developer with NRC approval for its 77-megawatt design, with operations on the RoPower project in Romania targeted to start in 2033, demonstrating its competitive edge in the nuclear energy sector.
- GE Vernova's Strategic Positioning: GE Vernova is constructing North America's only commercial small modular reactor in Ontario, expected to be operational by 2029, while its collaboration with TVA will further advance its nuclear projects, enhancing its market position.
See More
Nuclear Energy Technology Resurgence and Investment Opportunities
- Oklo Microreactors: Oklo's Aurora Powerhouse microreactors are designed to utilize used nuclear fuel, providing between 15 to 75 megawatts of power, with operations expected to commence by late 2027 or early 2028, catering to the reliable baseload power needs of industrial and data center customers.
- NuScale's Market Leadership: NuScale is the only small modular reactor developer to receive Standard Design Approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, with its 77-megawatt design approved in 2025, set to be deployed in the RoPower project in Romania, targeting operational start in 2033.
- GE Vernova's Construction Progress: GE Vernova is actively building the only commercial BWRX-300 small modular reactor in North America at its Ontario site, expected to be operational by 2029, and has secured a $400 million federal grant to accelerate the project's deployment.
- Growing Nuclear Demand: As energy demand rises, U.S. lawmakers aim to quadruple nuclear energy capacity by 2050, accelerating the deployment of small modular reactors and microreactors, indicating a strong resurgence potential in the nuclear energy market.
See More
AI-Driven Nuclear Energy Investment Opportunities
- Massive Market Potential: According to McKinsey's report, global spending on data centers is projected to reach $7 trillion by 2030, highlighting the urgent demand for computing power in the AI sector, thus creating significant market opportunities for energy companies.
- Strategic Advantage of Oklo: Oklo's business model focuses on small modular reactors (SMRs) that can provide reliable baseload electricity to data centers, particularly in remote areas, with its stock rising approximately 200% over the past year, underscoring its importance in meeting AI energy demands.
- NuScale's Competitive Strategy: With a market capitalization of just $4.3 billion, NuScale Power is focused on developing a 6-gigawatt SMR system in partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority, and despite facing competition from other SMR companies, its undervaluation may present an attractive opportunity for investors.
- Diversified Investment Portfolio: Investing in both Oklo and NuScale offers investors dual pathways to profit from the $7 trillion data center boom, making it particularly important to diversify risk in an uncertain market environment.
See More
