Friday Sector Leaders: Precious Metals, Metals & Mining Stocks
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Sep 20 2024
0mins
Should l Buy LEU?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
Market Performance: Metals and mining shares have shown relative strength, increasing by approximately 0.6%, with Cameco and Centrus Energy leading the gains at 7.7% and 6.6%, respectively.
Sector Highlights: The video highlights Friday's sector leaders in precious metals and metals & mining stocks, showcasing their performance on that day.
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Analyst Views on LEU
Wall Street analysts forecast LEU stock price to rise
14 Analyst Rating
10 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 203.630
Low
117.00
Averages
297.10
High
390.00
Current: 203.630
Low
117.00
Averages
297.10
High
390.00
About LEU
Centrus Energy Corp. is a supplier of nuclear fuel components for the nuclear power industry. Its segments include Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) and Technical Solutions. Its LEU segment supplies various components of nuclear fuel to commercial customers from its global network of suppliers. The LEU segment consists of two components: SWU and natural uranium hexafluoride. It supplies LEU and its components to both domestic and international utilities for use in nuclear reactors worldwide. It provides LEU from multiple sources, including its inventory, medium- and long-term supply contracts, and spot purchases. It also sells natural uranium hexafluoride and occasionally sells uranium concentrates. The Technical Solutions segment provides advanced engineering, design, and manufacturing services to government and private sector customers. It is deploying uranium enrichment and other capabilities necessary to produce advanced nuclear fuel to power existing reactors around the world.
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.
Centrus Selects Geiger Brothers for Expansion Project
- Enhanced Partnership: Centrus Energy has selected Geiger Brothers as the construction contractor for its uranium enrichment capacity expansion in Piketon, Ohio, marking a significant milestone that is expected to enhance the company's competitive position in the market.
- Project Scale and Investment: The multi-billion-dollar expansion plan will add thousands of AC100M centrifuges, restoring America's ability to enrich uranium at scale, and is projected to support Centrus' $2.3 billion commercial low-enriched uranium (LEU) backlog, addressing urgent market demands for high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU).
- Technological and Efficiency Gains: The collaboration with Fluor Corporation will ensure high efficiency in engineering, procurement, and construction management, while Geiger Brothers' local construction capabilities are expected to further mitigate project costs and enhance safety and efficiency in execution.
- Local Economic Impact: As a century-old company, Geiger Brothers will provide local labor for the project, anticipated to create numerous job opportunities, strengthen U.S. energy security, and promote domestic manufacturing growth.
See More
Zacks Adds Three Stocks to Strong Sell List
- Alamo Group Earnings Downgrade: Alamo Group Inc. (ALG) has seen its current year earnings estimate revised downward by 7.9% over the last 60 days, indicating pressure in the agricultural equipment market that could negatively impact its stock performance.
- Centrus Energy Profit Warning: Centrus Energy Corp. (LEU) has lowered its current year earnings estimate by 5.6% in the past 60 days, reflecting uncertainty in the nuclear fuel market that may lead to decreased investor confidence.
- MillerKnoll Performance Decline: MillerKnoll, Inc. (MLKN) has had its current year earnings estimate revised down by 7.1%, indicating challenges in the interior furnishings market that could affect its market share and shareholder returns.
- Quantum Computing Outlook: While quantum computing is seen as the next technological revolution, it is already advancing rapidly, with major tech companies like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon actively integrating this technology to maintain competitive advantages.
See More
U.S. Advances Nuclear Energy Space Initiative
- Policy Framework Released: On April 14, 2026, the White House issued National Science and Technology Memorandum 3, outlining a federally backed initiative to deploy nuclear reactors in orbit by 2028 and on the lunar surface by 2030, marking nuclear energy as critical infrastructure for space dominance.
- Nuclear Projects Advancing: The policy framework supports NASA's Space Reactor-1 'Freedom' and Lunar Reactor-1 missions aimed at sustained lunar operations, with a focus on developing mid-power reactors capable of producing at least 20 kilowatts of electricity for multi-year operations in space and on the Moon.
- Positive Market Reaction: Following Washington's unveiling of a new space energy strategy, nuclear stocks including Oklo Inc. (OKLO) and Nano Nuclear Energy Inc. (NNE) rose between 4% and 10% on Thursday, reflecting a surge in investor enthusiasm for advanced nuclear companies, with Oklo's stock trading over 8% higher in premarket.
- Leadership Changes and Funding Support: Oklo's CEO Jacob DeWitte was appointed to the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, highlighting the company's leadership in the nuclear sector, while Nano Nuclear Energy received a GAIN voucher from the U.S. Department of Energy to support its KRONOS microreactor development, further solidifying small modular reactor developers' strategic position in space infrastructure.
See More
U.S. Accelerates Nuclear Energy Buildout with Major Investments
- Clear Nuclear Goals: The U.S. aims to quadruple its new nuclear capacity to 400 gigawatts and construct 10 large reactors by 2030, demonstrating a strong governmental commitment that is expected to drive investments and technological innovations in the sector.
- Fluor's Partnership: Fluor has signed an agreement with X-Energy to provide Front-End Loading services for its advanced nuclear project in Texas, further solidifying its leadership position in the nuclear energy sector and laying the groundwork for future projects.
- Market Opportunities: As an early beneficiary of the nuclear energy buildout, Fluor leverages its specialized workforce and extensive experience to generate revenue during the planning phases of nuclear projects, presenting an attractive investment opportunity for stakeholders.
- Innovation Driving Growth: X-Energy's project will deploy four 80-megawatt small modular reactors, aligning with the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, aimed at accelerating the commercialization of advanced nuclear technology and fostering industry-wide technological advancements and market expansion.
See More
Global X Uranium ETF Underperforms Today
- ETF Performance: The Global X Uranium ETF is down approximately 2.6% in Tuesday afternoon trading, indicating a weak performance that may undermine investor confidence in the uranium market.
- Weak Individual Stocks: Among the ETF's components, shares of Nano Nuclear Energy fell by about 9.6%, while Centrus Energy dropped by approximately 7.5%, suggesting a bearish sentiment surrounding these companies that could lead to capital outflows.
- Market Impact Analysis: The decline in the uranium ETF may reflect investor concerns about the nuclear energy sector's outlook, particularly in the context of global energy transitions, potentially influencing future investment decisions.
- Investor Sentiment Shift: As the uranium ETF underperforms, investors may reassess their allocations to nuclear-related assets, leading to increased market volatility and impacting overall investment strategies.
See More
Oklo's Microreactor Potential Sparks Investor Interest
- Strong Stock Performance: Oklo went public nearly two years ago through a SPAC merger, opening at $15.50 per share and currently trading around $48, representing over a threefold increase despite not yet deploying microreactors or generating significant revenue, indicating high market expectations for its future potential.
- Growing Market Demand: The rapid growth of cloud computing, data centers, and AI markets has led more countries to reconsider nuclear power as an alternative to fossil fuels, with Oklo's Aurora microreactor designed for modular deployment, making it ideal for remote areas to meet increasing energy demands.
- Clear Technological Advantages: The Aurora microreactor utilizes metallic uranium fuel pellets that are denser, more heat-resistant, and cheaper to produce than conventional uranium dioxide fuel, while its closed-loop recycling system allows the fuel to last about a decade, significantly reducing operational costs.
- Future Growth Potential: Oklo broke ground on its first Powerhouse reactor in Idaho last September, with significant revenue expected to begin in 2027, as analysts project revenue growth from under $1 million in 2027 to $36 million in 2028, with further expansion anticipated through securing long-term contracts over the next decade.
See More
Centrus Selects Geiger Brothers for Expansion Project
- Enhanced Partnership: Centrus Energy has selected Geiger Brothers as the construction contractor for its uranium enrichment capacity expansion in Piketon, Ohio, marking a significant milestone that is expected to enhance the company's competitive position in the market.
- Project Scale and Investment: The multi-billion-dollar expansion plan will add thousands of AC100M centrifuges, restoring America's ability to enrich uranium at scale, and is projected to support Centrus' $2.3 billion commercial low-enriched uranium (LEU) backlog, addressing urgent market demands for high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU).
- Technological and Efficiency Gains: The collaboration with Fluor Corporation will ensure high efficiency in engineering, procurement, and construction management, while Geiger Brothers' local construction capabilities are expected to further mitigate project costs and enhance safety and efficiency in execution.
- Local Economic Impact: As a century-old company, Geiger Brothers will provide local labor for the project, anticipated to create numerous job opportunities, strengthen U.S. energy security, and promote domestic manufacturing growth.
See More
Zacks Adds Three Stocks to Strong Sell List
- Alamo Group Earnings Downgrade: Alamo Group Inc. (ALG) has seen its current year earnings estimate revised downward by 7.9% over the last 60 days, indicating pressure in the agricultural equipment market that could negatively impact its stock performance.
- Centrus Energy Profit Warning: Centrus Energy Corp. (LEU) has lowered its current year earnings estimate by 5.6% in the past 60 days, reflecting uncertainty in the nuclear fuel market that may lead to decreased investor confidence.
- MillerKnoll Performance Decline: MillerKnoll, Inc. (MLKN) has had its current year earnings estimate revised down by 7.1%, indicating challenges in the interior furnishings market that could affect its market share and shareholder returns.
- Quantum Computing Outlook: While quantum computing is seen as the next technological revolution, it is already advancing rapidly, with major tech companies like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon actively integrating this technology to maintain competitive advantages.
See More
U.S. Advances Nuclear Energy Space Initiative
- Policy Framework Released: On April 14, 2026, the White House issued National Science and Technology Memorandum 3, outlining a federally backed initiative to deploy nuclear reactors in orbit by 2028 and on the lunar surface by 2030, marking nuclear energy as critical infrastructure for space dominance.
- Nuclear Projects Advancing: The policy framework supports NASA's Space Reactor-1 'Freedom' and Lunar Reactor-1 missions aimed at sustained lunar operations, with a focus on developing mid-power reactors capable of producing at least 20 kilowatts of electricity for multi-year operations in space and on the Moon.
- Positive Market Reaction: Following Washington's unveiling of a new space energy strategy, nuclear stocks including Oklo Inc. (OKLO) and Nano Nuclear Energy Inc. (NNE) rose between 4% and 10% on Thursday, reflecting a surge in investor enthusiasm for advanced nuclear companies, with Oklo's stock trading over 8% higher in premarket.
- Leadership Changes and Funding Support: Oklo's CEO Jacob DeWitte was appointed to the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, highlighting the company's leadership in the nuclear sector, while Nano Nuclear Energy received a GAIN voucher from the U.S. Department of Energy to support its KRONOS microreactor development, further solidifying small modular reactor developers' strategic position in space infrastructure.
See More
U.S. Accelerates Nuclear Energy Buildout with Major Investments
- Clear Nuclear Goals: The U.S. aims to quadruple its new nuclear capacity to 400 gigawatts and construct 10 large reactors by 2030, demonstrating a strong governmental commitment that is expected to drive investments and technological innovations in the sector.
- Fluor's Partnership: Fluor has signed an agreement with X-Energy to provide Front-End Loading services for its advanced nuclear project in Texas, further solidifying its leadership position in the nuclear energy sector and laying the groundwork for future projects.
- Market Opportunities: As an early beneficiary of the nuclear energy buildout, Fluor leverages its specialized workforce and extensive experience to generate revenue during the planning phases of nuclear projects, presenting an attractive investment opportunity for stakeholders.
- Innovation Driving Growth: X-Energy's project will deploy four 80-megawatt small modular reactors, aligning with the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, aimed at accelerating the commercialization of advanced nuclear technology and fostering industry-wide technological advancements and market expansion.
See More
Global X Uranium ETF Underperforms Today
- ETF Performance: The Global X Uranium ETF is down approximately 2.6% in Tuesday afternoon trading, indicating a weak performance that may undermine investor confidence in the uranium market.
- Weak Individual Stocks: Among the ETF's components, shares of Nano Nuclear Energy fell by about 9.6%, while Centrus Energy dropped by approximately 7.5%, suggesting a bearish sentiment surrounding these companies that could lead to capital outflows.
- Market Impact Analysis: The decline in the uranium ETF may reflect investor concerns about the nuclear energy sector's outlook, particularly in the context of global energy transitions, potentially influencing future investment decisions.
- Investor Sentiment Shift: As the uranium ETF underperforms, investors may reassess their allocations to nuclear-related assets, leading to increased market volatility and impacting overall investment strategies.
See More
Oklo's Microreactor Potential Sparks Investor Interest
- Strong Stock Performance: Oklo went public nearly two years ago through a SPAC merger, opening at $15.50 per share and currently trading around $48, representing over a threefold increase despite not yet deploying microreactors or generating significant revenue, indicating high market expectations for its future potential.
- Growing Market Demand: The rapid growth of cloud computing, data centers, and AI markets has led more countries to reconsider nuclear power as an alternative to fossil fuels, with Oklo's Aurora microreactor designed for modular deployment, making it ideal for remote areas to meet increasing energy demands.
- Clear Technological Advantages: The Aurora microreactor utilizes metallic uranium fuel pellets that are denser, more heat-resistant, and cheaper to produce than conventional uranium dioxide fuel, while its closed-loop recycling system allows the fuel to last about a decade, significantly reducing operational costs.
- Future Growth Potential: Oklo broke ground on its first Powerhouse reactor in Idaho last September, with significant revenue expected to begin in 2027, as analysts project revenue growth from under $1 million in 2027 to $36 million in 2028, with further expansion anticipated through securing long-term contracts over the next decade.
See More
