Nuclear Energy Returns to Spotlight, Investors Focus on Key Players
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 05 2026
0mins
Should l Buy OKLO?
Source: Fool
- NuScale Power Struggles: NuScale Power's stock has declined approximately 30% over the past year, although it rebounded over 20% since early 2026; however, concerns arose after major investor Fluor sold its stake and the company missed earnings expectations, undermining confidence in its technological promises.
- Oklo's Strong Momentum: Oklo's stock skyrocketed in 2025 despite significant volatility, and its partnership with Meta has provided substantial market credibility, positioning it for continued strong growth into 2026.
- Financial Comparison: Oklo boasts around $1.2 billion in cash and marketable securities, significantly outpacing NuScale, which relies on limited engineering revenue and has yet to achieve profitability, thus facing greater financial pressure.
- Technological Development Paths: While NuScale is further along in technology development, it must transition from engineering revenue to actual contract deployment, whereas Oklo is gaining market recognition through partnerships with hyperscalers, potentially making it the winner in the next decade.
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Analyst Views on OKLO
Wall Street analysts forecast OKLO stock price to rise
12 Analyst Rating
7 Buy
5 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 63.920
Low
90.00
Averages
125.11
High
175.00
Current: 63.920
Low
90.00
Averages
125.11
High
175.00
About OKLO
Oklo Inc. is an advanced nuclear technology company. The Company is engaged in developing fast fission power plants to provide clean, reliable, and affordable energy at scale. It is developing advanced fuel recycling technologies in collaboration with the United States Department of Energy and United States National Laboratories. It provides 24/7 clean energy to data centers, factories, industrial sites, communities, and defense facilities. It offers heat and power through power purchase agreements. Its powerhouse product line, Aurora, is designed to be inherently safe, to be able to run on fresh or recycled fuel, and to produce 15-50 megawatts electric (MWe) and with the potential to expand powerhouse size to produce 100 MWe of electricity. The Company intends to develop specialized radioisotope production capabilities to address urgent supply shortages in life-saving medical radioisotopes and advanced industrial applications.
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.
- Analyst Ratings: Oklo Inc. (NYSE:OKLO) currently holds a consensus Moderate Buy rating from analysts, with a price target raised to $91, indicating a potential upside of 94.99% from current levels, reflecting optimistic market expectations for its future performance.
- Market Dynamics: Goldman Sachs trimmed Oklo's price target on February 4 from $106 to $91 while maintaining a Neutral rating, highlighting concerns over the strong rally in uranium spot prices that began in early 2026.
- New Partnership: Oklo has reached an agreement with Meta to develop a 1.2 GW nuclear power campus in Southern Ohio to support the tech giant's regional data centers, marking a significant advancement for the company in the clean energy sector.
- Industry Outlook: Texas Capital Securities initiated coverage of Oklo on January 28 with a Buy rating and a price target of $138, emphasizing that its Aurora reactor is the best vehicle for investors bullish on advanced nuclear solutions.
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- Stock Volatility: Oklo's stock has experienced extreme fluctuations, trading as low as $5 per share in September 2024 and peaking at $193 last October, currently priced at $2.08, reflecting a 63% decline from its all-time high, indicating significant instability.
- Partnership with Meta: Oklo has entered into an agreement with Meta to develop a 1.2 GW power campus in Ohio, with Meta prepaying for power, providing Oklo with upfront capital, and targeting the first phase for 2030, scaling to full capacity by 2034.
- Technological Innovation and Market Demand: The Aurora powerhouses developed by Oklo can operate on recycled fuel for up to 10 years without refueling, catering to data centers' need for clean and reliable power; however, the long construction time for nuclear plants poses competitive market challenges.
- Future Challenges and Funding Needs: Oklo's first Aurora powerhouse is not expected to operate until late 2027 or early 2028, requiring regulatory approvals and a fuel supply chain; despite having $1.18 billion in cash, additional capital will likely be needed, posing dilution risks for shareholders.
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- Nuclear Strategy: Oklo is fully committing to nuclear power as the primary energy source for AI data centers, which is expected to create significant market opportunities, especially against the backdrop of rising energy demands.
- Market Catalyst: Analysts suggest that 2026 could be a pivotal year for Oklo, as successful implementation of its nuclear plans may trigger explosive stock price increases, drawing more investor attention.
- Risk Assessment: Despite the promising energy solutions offered by nuclear power, Oklo faces multiple risks including policy, technology, and market acceptance, which could impact its long-term profitability and market performance.
- Investment Outlook: With the global demand for sustainable energy on the rise, Oklo's nuclear projects not only help meet the energy needs of AI data centers but could also generate substantial revenue for the company in the coming years, enhancing its competitiveness in the industry.
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- Innovative Technology: Oklo focuses on small modular reactors (SMRs) and liquid-metal reactors, particularly its sodium-cooled systems, which, despite sodium's corrosiveness, offer safety advantages at high temperatures and low pressures compared to traditional water-cooled reactors, showcasing its innovative potential in the nuclear energy sector.
- Severe Financial Condition: As of Q3 2025, Oklo reported a net loss of $29.7 million and total debt of $1.9 million; although cash reserves surged by 346.7% to $410 million, its free cash flow plummeted by 188.8% to negative $23 million, indicating a fragile financial health.
- Intensifying Market Competition: Compared to competitors like BWX Technologies, Rolls-Royce, and NuScale, which generate revenue through consulting contracts and other business sectors, Oklo's lack of income sources significantly undermines its competitiveness in the SMR market.
- Uncertain Investment Outlook: Despite Oklo's technological potential, its lack of revenue and strong competitors render it unattractive for investment in 2026, with the current share price of $65 facing risks of further decline, necessitating cautious evaluation by investors.
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- Stock Surge: Oklo's stock rose 5.6% today, extending Friday's 14.4% gain, reflecting investor confidence despite the absence of positive news, indicating strong market interest.
- DOE Award: The U.S. Department of Energy awarded over $19 million to five companies for nuclear fuel recycling research, with Oklo receiving funding to study radioactive materials in hot liquid salt, which is expected to enhance its technology development.
- Recycling Facility: Oklo is developing the first nuclear fuel recycling facility in the U.S. in Tennessee, aimed at converting used nuclear fuel into reusable reactor fuel, thereby improving sustainability in nuclear energy.
- Industry Outlook: As a leader in the nuclear energy renaissance, Oklo's innovative approach to recycling distinguishes it from competitors, although investors should carefully assess its long-term investment potential.
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- Stock Price Volatility: Oklo's shares have plummeted over 60% since hitting an all-time high in October, currently priced at $9.01 with a market cap of $11 billion, reflecting market uncertainty and investor sentiment fluctuations regarding nuclear start-ups.
- Delayed Commercial Operations: The company does not expect to commence commercial operations until late 2027 or early 2028, meaning key financial metrics like quarterly revenue and profitability will not reflect long-term prospects, requiring investors to endure at least two years of volatility.
- Regulatory Approval Challenges: Oklo is in the process of applying for a combined license for its nuclear facility; although its Aurora Powerhouse project is part of the U.S. Department of Energy's Reactor Pilot Program, it has yet to receive final approval from the NRC, which could take years and adds to project uncertainty.
- Investment Timing Considerations: Despite the uncertainty surrounding Oklo's future, its current low stock price presents a potential buying opportunity, as any regulatory progress or positive news could lead to a rapid rebound, making it attractive for risk-tolerant investors looking for potential gains.
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