Best Nuclear Energy Stocks to Buy for August 2026

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Best Nuclear Energy Stocks to Buy for August 2026

Kevin Voigt

NNEUECRYCEYAEEXEL

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Key Takeaways

  • Nuclear energy has come roaring back as countries and corporations seek reliable, low-carbon power options.
  • The AI explosion and the data centers required are a big part of nuclear energy renaissance.
  • Top nuclear energy stocks right now include NANO Nuclear Energy, Uranium Energy and Rolls-Royce.

Nuclear energy is stepping back into the spotlight as governments and corporations look for reliable, low-carbon power that can run around the clock. From life-extending existing reactors to backing next-generation technologies like small modular reactors (SMRs), policy support is strengthening across the globe. For investors, that creates opportunities spanning established utilities, advanced reactor developers, and specialized nuclear technology firms.

Is Now a Good Time to Invest in Nuclear Energy Stocks?

Several signals suggest the industry may be at an inflection point. Countries are approving new reactor projects, extending operating licenses, and committing capital to SMR commercialization to support grid stability and decarbonization goals. At the same time, power-hungry customers such as AI data centers and large industrial users are locking in long-term nuclear supply contracts, improving visibility into future cash flows.

That said, nuclear investing rewards patience. Long development timelines, regulatory complexity, and project-execution risks mean results can vary widely from company to company.

Below, we analyze and rank the best nuclear stocks using a blend of Zacks Rank signals, Style Scores, and fundamentals to highlight compelling opportunities today. (To see a full list of nuclear energy stocks, visit our Nuclear Energy thematic stock screen).

5 Top Nuclear Energy Stocks to Buy Today

Company (Ticker)12 Week Price ChangeForward PEPriceProj EPS Growth (1 Year)Projected Sales Growth (1Y)Research
Nano Nuclear Energy Inc. (NNE)-37.06%NA$18.5024.29%NA
Uranium Energy (UEC)-14.05%663.50$13.13110.53%28.03%Free Research Report: UEC
RollsRoyce (RYCEY)21.54%36.42$20.9847.01%11.10%
Ameren (AEE)0.05%19.80$107.757.27%5.55%Free Research Report: AEE
Xcel Energy (XEL)-0.87%18.75$77.688.33%6.21%Free Research Report: XEL

*Updated on August 26, 2026.

Nano Nuclear Energy Inc. (NNE)

$18.50 USD -0.74 (-3.85%)

3-Year Stock Price Performance

3 Year Stock Price Performance Chart for NNE

Premium Research for NNE

Zacks Rank

This is our short term rating system that serves as a timeliness indicator for stocks over the next 1 to 3 months. How good is it? See rankings and related performance below.

Zacks Rank Definition Annualized Return
1Strong Buy23.80%
2Buy18.13%
3Hold10.19%
4Sell5.73%
5Strong Sell3.17%
S&P50011.53%

Zacks Rank Education - Learn about the Zacks Rank

Zacks Rank Home - Zacks Rank resources in one place

Zacks Premium - The only way to fully access the Zacks Rank

Trending upward Buy 2
Zacks Industry Rank

The Zacks Industry Rank assigns a rating to each of the 265 X (Expanded) Industries based on their average Zacks Rank.

An industry with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #1's and #2's will have a better average Zacks Rank than one with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #4's and #5's.

The industry with the best average Zacks Rank would be considered the top industry (1 out of 265), which would place it in the top 1% of Zacks Ranked Industries. The industry with the worst average Zacks Rank (265 out of 265) would place in the bottom 1%.

Zacks Rank Education -- Learn more about the Zacks Rank
Zacks Industry Rank Education -- Learn more about the Zacks Industry Rank

Bottom 35% (161 out of 247)
Zacks Sector Rank

The Zacks Sector Rank assigns a rating to each of the 16 Sectors based on their average Zacks Rank.

A sector with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #1's and #2's will have a better average Zacks Rank than one with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #4's and #5's.

Zacks Sector Rank Education - Learn more about the Zacks Sector Rank

The sector with the best average Zacks Rank would be considered the top sector (1 out of 16), which would place it in the top 1% of Zacks Ranked Sectors. The sector with the worst average Zacks Rank (16 out of 16) would place in the bottom 1%.

Zacks Rank Education -- Learn more about the Zacks Rank
Zacks Sector Rank Education -- Learn more about the Zacks Sector Rank

Bottom 44% (9 out of 16)
Style Scores

The Style Scores are a complementary set of indicators to use alongside the Zacks Rank. It allows the user to better focus on the stocks that are the best fit for his or her personal trading style.

The scores are based on the trading styles of Value, Growth, and Momentum. There's also a VGM Score ('V' for Value, 'G' for Growth and 'M' for Momentum), which combines the weighted average of the individual style scores into one score.

  • Value Score A
  • Growth Score A
  • Momentum Score A
  • VGM Score A

Within each Score, stocks are graded into five groups: A, B, C, D and F. As you might remember from your school days, an A, is better than a B; a B is better than a C; a C is better than a D; and a D is better than an F.

As an investor, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. That means you want to buy stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2, Strong Buy or Buy, which also has a Score of an A or a B in your personal trading style.

Zacks Style Scores Education - Learn more about the Zacks Style Scores

F Value F Growth B Momentum F VGM

Earnings ESP

Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) looks to find companies that have recently seen positive earnings estimate revision activity. The idea is that more recent information is, generally speaking, more accurate and can be a better predictor of the future, which can give investors an advantage in earnings season.

The technique has proven to be very useful for finding positive surprises. In fact, when combining a Zacks Rank #3 or better and a positive Earnings ESP, stocks produced a positive surprise 70% of the time, while they also saw 28.3% annual returns on average, according to our 10 year backtest.

Visit the Earnings ESP Center

See the Full List of Stocks To Beat Earnings

0.00%
  • Market Cap:$1.01 B (Small Cap)
  • Projected EPS Growth:20.52%
  • Last Quarter EPS Growth:-5.56%
  • Last EPS Surprise:32.14%
  • Next EPS Report Date:Dec. 17, 2026

Our Take:

Reasons to Buy

NANO Nuclear Energy is a pre-commercial microreactor developer with additional exposure to nuclear fuel logistics and services. Fiscal third-quarter 2026 progress included NRC acceptance of the KRONOS MMR construction permit application and the addition of an operating logistics platform. Its substantial liquidity gives management room to advance licensing, engineering and selective acquisitions without near-term financing pressure.

Potential Risks

Commercial reactor revenue remains years away, leaving valuation dependent on milestones rather than established earnings. Development spending is rising, dilution remains possible, and licensing or construction delays could quickly pressure sentiment.

Forecast

A Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) points to favorable estimate revisions, while a Value Score of F and Growth Score of F show weak fundamental style support. A Momentum Score of B is more constructive. The chart tells a similarly mixed story as the shares have retreated from earlier highs, longer-dated EPS estimates remain volatile, and surprise markers alternate between positive and negative outcomes.

Free Research Report: NNE

Uranium Energy (UEC)

$13.13 USD -0.14 (-1.06%)

3-Year Stock Price Performance

3 Year Stock Price Performance Chart for UEC

Premium Research for UEC

Zacks Rank

This is our short term rating system that serves as a timeliness indicator for stocks over the next 1 to 3 months. How good is it? See rankings and related performance below.

Zacks Rank Definition Annualized Return
1Strong Buy23.80%
2Buy18.13%
3Hold10.19%
4Sell5.73%
5Strong Sell3.17%
S&P50011.53%

Zacks Rank Education - Learn about the Zacks Rank

Zacks Rank Home - Zacks Rank resources in one place

Zacks Premium - The only way to fully access the Zacks Rank

Trending upward Buy 2
Zacks Industry Rank

The Zacks Industry Rank assigns a rating to each of the 265 X (Expanded) Industries based on their average Zacks Rank.

An industry with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #1's and #2's will have a better average Zacks Rank than one with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #4's and #5's.

The industry with the best average Zacks Rank would be considered the top industry (1 out of 265), which would place it in the top 1% of Zacks Ranked Industries. The industry with the worst average Zacks Rank (265 out of 265) would place in the bottom 1%.

Zacks Rank Education -- Learn more about the Zacks Rank
Zacks Industry Rank Education -- Learn more about the Zacks Industry Rank

Bottom 15% (209 out of 247)
Zacks Sector Rank

The Zacks Sector Rank assigns a rating to each of the 16 Sectors based on their average Zacks Rank.

A sector with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #1's and #2's will have a better average Zacks Rank than one with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #4's and #5's.

Zacks Sector Rank Education - Learn more about the Zacks Sector Rank

The sector with the best average Zacks Rank would be considered the top sector (1 out of 16), which would place it in the top 1% of Zacks Ranked Sectors. The sector with the worst average Zacks Rank (16 out of 16) would place in the bottom 1%.

Zacks Rank Education -- Learn more about the Zacks Rank
Zacks Sector Rank Education -- Learn more about the Zacks Sector Rank

Bottom 13% (14 out of 16)
Style Scores

The Style Scores are a complementary set of indicators to use alongside the Zacks Rank. It allows the user to better focus on the stocks that are the best fit for his or her personal trading style.

The scores are based on the trading styles of Value, Growth, and Momentum. There's also a VGM Score ('V' for Value, 'G' for Growth and 'M' for Momentum), which combines the weighted average of the individual style scores into one score.

  • Value Score A
  • Growth Score A
  • Momentum Score A
  • VGM Score A

Within each Score, stocks are graded into five groups: A, B, C, D and F. As you might remember from your school days, an A, is better than a B; a B is better than a C; a C is better than a D; and a D is better than an F.

As an investor, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. That means you want to buy stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2, Strong Buy or Buy, which also has a Score of an A or a B in your personal trading style.

Zacks Style Scores Education - Learn more about the Zacks Style Scores

F Value F Growth F Momentum F VGM

Earnings ESP

Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) looks to find companies that have recently seen positive earnings estimate revision activity. The idea is that more recent information is, generally speaking, more accurate and can be a better predictor of the future, which can give investors an advantage in earnings season.

The technique has proven to be very useful for finding positive surprises. In fact, when combining a Zacks Rank #3 or better and a positive Earnings ESP, stocks produced a positive surprise 70% of the time, while they also saw 28.3% annual returns on average, according to our 10 year backtest.

Visit the Earnings ESP Center

See the Full List of Stocks To Beat Earnings

0.00%
  • Market Cap:$6.31 B (Mid Cap)
  • Projected EPS Growth:113.33%
  • Last Quarter EPS Growth:-133.33%
  • Last EPS Surprise:-40.00%
  • Next EPS Report Date:Sep. 23, 2026

Our Take:

Reasons to Buy

Uranium Energy is a United States-focused uranium producer building an integrated domestic mining and processing platform. Fiscal third-quarter 2026 operations advanced with first production at Burke Hollow and additional development at Christensen Ranch. A debt-free balance sheet and sizable liquid assets support expansion, while unhedged uranium inventory preserves upside if nuclear fuel prices strengthen.

Potential Risks

The production ramp has been uneven, with lower output and higher unit costs highlighting execution sensitivity. Earnings remain exposed to uranium prices, permitting schedules, taxes and sales timing. Capital deployment before steady production is established could weigh on returns.

Forecast

A Zacks Rank #2 signals favorable earnings revision momentum, but the style picture is weaker. UEC carries a Value Score of F, Growth Score of F and Momentum Score of F. The chart reinforces that tension as the stock has pulled back from its peak, forward EPS estimates have moved sharply, and earnings surprises lack a consistent direction.

Free Research Report: UEC

RollsRoyce (RYCEY)

$20.98 USD +0.10 (0.48%)

3-Year Stock Price Performance

3 Year Stock Price Performance Chart for RYCEY

Premium Research for RYCEY

Zacks Rank

This is our short term rating system that serves as a timeliness indicator for stocks over the next 1 to 3 months. How good is it? See rankings and related performance below.

Zacks Rank Definition Annualized Return
1Strong Buy23.80%
2Buy18.13%
3Hold10.19%
4Sell5.73%
5Strong Sell3.17%
S&P50011.53%

Zacks Rank Education - Learn about the Zacks Rank

Zacks Rank Home - Zacks Rank resources in one place

Zacks Premium - The only way to fully access the Zacks Rank

Trending downward Hold 3
Zacks Industry Rank

The Zacks Industry Rank assigns a rating to each of the 265 X (Expanded) Industries based on their average Zacks Rank.

An industry with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #1's and #2's will have a better average Zacks Rank than one with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #4's and #5's.

The industry with the best average Zacks Rank would be considered the top industry (1 out of 265), which would place it in the top 1% of Zacks Ranked Industries. The industry with the worst average Zacks Rank (265 out of 265) would place in the bottom 1%.

Zacks Rank Education -- Learn more about the Zacks Rank
Zacks Industry Rank Education -- Learn more about the Zacks Industry Rank

Top 17% (41 out of 247)
Zacks Sector Rank

The Zacks Sector Rank assigns a rating to each of the 16 Sectors based on their average Zacks Rank.

A sector with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #1's and #2's will have a better average Zacks Rank than one with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #4's and #5's.

Zacks Sector Rank Education - Learn more about the Zacks Sector Rank

The sector with the best average Zacks Rank would be considered the top sector (1 out of 16), which would place it in the top 1% of Zacks Ranked Sectors. The sector with the worst average Zacks Rank (16 out of 16) would place in the bottom 1%.

Zacks Rank Education -- Learn more about the Zacks Rank
Zacks Sector Rank Education -- Learn more about the Zacks Sector Rank

Top 6% (1 out of 16)
Style Scores

The Style Scores are a complementary set of indicators to use alongside the Zacks Rank. It allows the user to better focus on the stocks that are the best fit for his or her personal trading style.

The scores are based on the trading styles of Value, Growth, and Momentum. There's also a VGM Score ('V' for Value, 'G' for Growth and 'M' for Momentum), which combines the weighted average of the individual style scores into one score.

  • Value Score A
  • Growth Score A
  • Momentum Score A
  • VGM Score A

Within each Score, stocks are graded into five groups: A, B, C, D and F. As you might remember from your school days, an A, is better than a B; a B is better than a C; a C is better than a D; and a D is better than an F.

As an investor, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. That means you want to buy stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2, Strong Buy or Buy, which also has a Score of an A or a B in your personal trading style.

Zacks Style Scores Education - Learn more about the Zacks Style Scores

D Value A Growth B Momentum C VGM

Earnings ESP

Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) looks to find companies that have recently seen positive earnings estimate revision activity. The idea is that more recent information is, generally speaking, more accurate and can be a better predictor of the future, which can give investors an advantage in earnings season.

The technique has proven to be very useful for finding positive surprises. In fact, when combining a Zacks Rank #3 or better and a positive Earnings ESP, stocks produced a positive surprise 70% of the time, while they also saw 28.3% annual returns on average, according to our 10 year backtest.

Visit the Earnings ESP Center

See the Full List of Stocks To Beat Earnings

NA
  • Market Cap:$171.02 B (Large Cap)
  • Projected EPS Growth:47.01%
  • Last Quarter EPS Growth:NA
  • Last EPS Surprise:NA
  • Next EPS Report Date:NA

Our Take:

Reasons to Buy

Rolls-Royce is an aerospace, defense and power-systems company with nuclear exposure through submarine propulsion, civil nuclear services and small modular reactors. First-half 2026 results showed another strong improvement in operating profit and cash generation, extending the turnaround from prior years. Nuclear optionality is becoming tangible as SMR programs in Britain, the Czech Republic and Sweden move toward execution.

Potential Risks

Nuclear remains a relatively small contributor beside aerospace and defense, so the investment case still depends on engine utilization, service margins and supply-chain discipline. SMR projects face lengthy approvals, financing needs and construction risk. The rerating leaves less room for disappointment.

Forecast

A Zacks Rank #2 supports the near-term outlook. A Growth Score of A is the standout, while a Value Score of D and Momentum Score of D argue for selectivity. The chart shows a powerful multiyear climb, rising EPS estimates into 2028 and limited surprise history, making revision direction more informative than past beats.

Free Research Report: RYCEY

Ameren (AEE)

$107.75 USD +0.92 (0.86%)

3-Year Stock Price Performance

3 Year Stock Price Performance Chart for AEE

Premium Research for AEE

Zacks Rank

This is our short term rating system that serves as a timeliness indicator for stocks over the next 1 to 3 months. How good is it? See rankings and related performance below.

Zacks Rank Definition Annualized Return
1Strong Buy23.80%
2Buy18.13%
3Hold10.19%
4Sell5.73%
5Strong Sell3.17%
S&P50011.53%

Zacks Rank Education - Learn about the Zacks Rank

Zacks Rank Home - Zacks Rank resources in one place

Zacks Premium - The only way to fully access the Zacks Rank

Trending downward Hold 3
Zacks Industry Rank

The Zacks Industry Rank assigns a rating to each of the 265 X (Expanded) Industries based on their average Zacks Rank.

An industry with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #1's and #2's will have a better average Zacks Rank than one with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #4's and #5's.

The industry with the best average Zacks Rank would be considered the top industry (1 out of 265), which would place it in the top 1% of Zacks Ranked Industries. The industry with the worst average Zacks Rank (265 out of 265) would place in the bottom 1%.

Zacks Rank Education -- Learn more about the Zacks Rank
Zacks Industry Rank Education -- Learn more about the Zacks Industry Rank

Bottom 32% (169 out of 247)
Zacks Sector Rank

The Zacks Sector Rank assigns a rating to each of the 16 Sectors based on their average Zacks Rank.

A sector with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #1's and #2's will have a better average Zacks Rank than one with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #4's and #5's.

Zacks Sector Rank Education - Learn more about the Zacks Sector Rank

The sector with the best average Zacks Rank would be considered the top sector (1 out of 16), which would place it in the top 1% of Zacks Ranked Sectors. The sector with the worst average Zacks Rank (16 out of 16) would place in the bottom 1%.

Zacks Rank Education -- Learn more about the Zacks Rank
Zacks Sector Rank Education -- Learn more about the Zacks Sector Rank

Bottom 13% (14 out of 16)
Style Scores

The Style Scores are a complementary set of indicators to use alongside the Zacks Rank. It allows the user to better focus on the stocks that are the best fit for his or her personal trading style.

The scores are based on the trading styles of Value, Growth, and Momentum. There's also a VGM Score ('V' for Value, 'G' for Growth and 'M' for Momentum), which combines the weighted average of the individual style scores into one score.

  • Value Score A
  • Growth Score A
  • Momentum Score A
  • VGM Score A

Within each Score, stocks are graded into five groups: A, B, C, D and F. As you might remember from your school days, an A, is better than a B; a B is better than a C; a C is better than a D; and a D is better than an F.

As an investor, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. That means you want to buy stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2, Strong Buy or Buy, which also has a Score of an A or a B in your personal trading style.

Zacks Style Scores Education - Learn more about the Zacks Style Scores

C Value D Growth B Momentum D VGM

Earnings ESP

Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) looks to find companies that have recently seen positive earnings estimate revision activity. The idea is that more recent information is, generally speaking, more accurate and can be a better predictor of the future, which can give investors an advantage in earnings season.

The technique has proven to be very useful for finding positive surprises. In fact, when combining a Zacks Rank #3 or better and a positive Earnings ESP, stocks produced a positive surprise 70% of the time, while they also saw 28.3% annual returns on average, according to our 10 year backtest.

Visit the Earnings ESP Center

See the Full List of Stocks To Beat Earnings

0.00%
  • Market Cap:$29.38 B (Large Cap)
  • Projected EPS Growth:7.30%
  • Last Quarter EPS Growth:-11.72%
  • Last EPS Surprise:4.63%
  • Next EPS Report Date:Nov. 4, 2026

Our Take:

Reasons to Buy

Ameren is a regulated Midwest utility with nuclear exposure through the Callaway Energy Center in Missouri. Second-quarter 2026 earnings improved from the prior-year period as infrastructure investment and rate recovery supported results, while management maintained full-year guidance. Callaway provides dependable baseload generation, and planned license-extension work could extend the value of this asset as regional demand expands.

Potential Risks

Higher maintenance expense, weather variability and equity issuance can dilute earnings growth. Heavy capital spending depends on constructive regulatory outcomes, while Callaway carries outage, fuel, safety and decommissioning risks. After a strong share-price advance, valuation leaves less cushion for setbacks.

Forecast

A Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) suggests a neutral estimate-revision backdrop. The stock has a Value Score of C, Growth Score of D and Momentum Score of B, making price strength more compelling than growth characteristics. The chart shows a sustained uptrend, rising forward EPS estimates and mixed surprise markers, pointing to steady rather than dramatic earnings progression.

Free Research Report: AEE

Xcel Energy (XEL)

$77.68 USD +0.49 (0.63%)

3-Year Stock Price Performance

3 Year Stock Price Performance Chart for XEL

Premium Research for XEL

Zacks Rank

This is our short term rating system that serves as a timeliness indicator for stocks over the next 1 to 3 months. How good is it? See rankings and related performance below.

Zacks Rank Definition Annualized Return
1Strong Buy23.80%
2Buy18.13%
3Hold10.19%
4Sell5.73%
5Strong Sell3.17%
S&P50011.53%

Zacks Rank Education - Learn about the Zacks Rank

Zacks Rank Home - Zacks Rank resources in one place

Zacks Premium - The only way to fully access the Zacks Rank

Hold 3
Zacks Industry Rank

The Zacks Industry Rank assigns a rating to each of the 265 X (Expanded) Industries based on their average Zacks Rank.

An industry with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #1's and #2's will have a better average Zacks Rank than one with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #4's and #5's.

The industry with the best average Zacks Rank would be considered the top industry (1 out of 265), which would place it in the top 1% of Zacks Ranked Industries. The industry with the worst average Zacks Rank (265 out of 265) would place in the bottom 1%.

Zacks Rank Education -- Learn more about the Zacks Rank
Zacks Industry Rank Education -- Learn more about the Zacks Industry Rank

Bottom 32% (169 out of 247)
Zacks Sector Rank

The Zacks Sector Rank assigns a rating to each of the 16 Sectors based on their average Zacks Rank.

A sector with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #1's and #2's will have a better average Zacks Rank than one with a larger percentage of Zacks Rank #4's and #5's.

Zacks Sector Rank Education - Learn more about the Zacks Sector Rank

The sector with the best average Zacks Rank would be considered the top sector (1 out of 16), which would place it in the top 1% of Zacks Ranked Sectors. The sector with the worst average Zacks Rank (16 out of 16) would place in the bottom 1%.

Zacks Rank Education -- Learn more about the Zacks Rank
Zacks Sector Rank Education -- Learn more about the Zacks Sector Rank

Bottom 13% (14 out of 16)
Style Scores

The Style Scores are a complementary set of indicators to use alongside the Zacks Rank. It allows the user to better focus on the stocks that are the best fit for his or her personal trading style.

The scores are based on the trading styles of Value, Growth, and Momentum. There's also a VGM Score ('V' for Value, 'G' for Growth and 'M' for Momentum), which combines the weighted average of the individual style scores into one score.

  • Value Score A
  • Growth Score A
  • Momentum Score A
  • VGM Score A

Within each Score, stocks are graded into five groups: A, B, C, D and F. As you might remember from your school days, an A, is better than a B; a B is better than a C; a C is better than a D; and a D is better than an F.

As an investor, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. That means you want to buy stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2, Strong Buy or Buy, which also has a Score of an A or a B in your personal trading style.

Zacks Style Scores Education - Learn more about the Zacks Style Scores

C Value D Growth B Momentum D VGM

Earnings ESP

Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) looks to find companies that have recently seen positive earnings estimate revision activity. The idea is that more recent information is, generally speaking, more accurate and can be a better predictor of the future, which can give investors an advantage in earnings season.

The technique has proven to be very useful for finding positive surprises. In fact, when combining a Zacks Rank #3 or better and a positive Earnings ESP, stocks produced a positive surprise 70% of the time, while they also saw 28.3% annual returns on average, according to our 10 year backtest.

Visit the Earnings ESP Center

See the Full List of Stocks To Beat Earnings

-0.36%
  • Market Cap:$47.66 B (Large Cap)
  • Projected EPS Growth:8.33%
  • Last Quarter EPS Growth:2.20%
  • Last EPS Surprise:17.72%
  • Next EPS Report Date:Oct. 29, 2026

Our Take:

Reasons to Buy

Xcel Energy is a regulated utility with nuclear exposure through the Monticello and Prairie Island plants in the Upper Midwest. Second-quarter 2026 earnings rose from the prior-year period as infrastructure recovery supported results, and management reaffirmed its annual outlook. Nuclear license extensions lengthen asset lives, while federal production tax credits can improve economics and help contain customer costs.

Potential Risks

Higher financing costs are a headwind as capital spending and debt needs rise. Regulatory lag, wildfire liabilities and large-load approvals add uncertainty, while nuclear outages can trigger customer credits and expense. Life extensions also require dependable plant performance and regulatory execution.

Forecast

A Zacks Rank #3 points to a neutral revisions setup. Xcel carries a Value Score of C, Growth Score of D and Momentum Score of C, indicating balanced support. The chart shows a recovery, steady EPS estimates, firmer 2027 and 2028 projections and mixed surprise markers, suggesting gradual earnings improvement rather than sharp acceleration.

Free Research Report: XEL

Methodology

The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that uses trends in earnings estimate revisions and earnings-per-share (EPS) surprises to classify stocks into five groups: #1 (Strong Buy), #2 (Buy), #3 (Hold), #4 (Sell) and #5 (Strong Sell). The Zacks Rank is calculated through four primary factors related to earnings estimates: analysts' consensus on earnings estimate revisions, the magnitude of revision change, the upside potential and estimate surprise (or the degree in which earnings per share deviated from the previous quarter). 

Zacks builds the data from 3,000 analysts at over 150 different brokerage firms. The average yearly gain for Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks is +23.80% per year from January, 1988, through Aug 3, 2026.

Selections for Best Nuclear Energy Stocks are based on the current top ranking stocks based on Zacks Indicator Score, Style Scores and fundamentals. All information is current as of market open, August 24, 2026.

Learn More About Nuclear Energy Stocks

What Are Nuclear Energy Stocks?

Nuclear energy stocks represent ownership in publicly traded companies involved in nuclear power generation, reactor engineering, fuel manufacturing, and related services. These companies form part of the broader clean-energy transition while offering diversification away from fossil fuels.

What Are Some Examples of Nuclear Energy Stocks?

Best Nuclear Reactor Technology Stocks

  • NuScale Power (SMR - Free Report ) – Leading developer of SMR technology with NRC-certified designs that are scalable for diverse power needs.
     
  • Oklo Inc. (OKLO - Free Report) – Focused on compact fast reactors and advanced fuel solutions that may serve both grid and industrial customers.

Best Nuclear Energy Utility Stocks

  • Constellation Energy (CEG - Free Report) – Major U.S. utility with extensive nuclear generation assets and recent federal support to restart legacy reactors.
     
  • Dominion Energy (D - Free Report) – Diversified utility operating nuclear plants alongside renewables and other generation sources.
     

Best Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Stocks

  • NuScale Power (SMR) – First mover in NRC-approved SMR designs intended for global deployment.
     
  • NANO Nuclear Energy (NNE - Free Report) – Targeting the micro-reactor niche with portable reactor designs for specialized applications. .
     

What Are the Benefits of Buying Nuclear Energy Stocks?

  • Access to baseload power generation supporting grid stability.
     
  • Exposure to long-term structural growth in clean energy demand.
     
  • Potential dividends from established utilities.
     
  • Diversification from traditional fossil fuel exposures.
     

What Are the Risks of Buying Nuclear Energy Stocks?

  • High capital intensity with long project timelines.
     
  • Regulatory and permitting uncertainties.
     
  • Public sentiment can affect policy and plant approvals.
     
  • Some technology stocks may not generate revenue for years.
     

Nuclear Energy Stocks vs Nuclear Energy ETFs

Investors seeking broader exposure with lower company-specific risk may prefer ETFs, which bundle multiple nuclear stocks — from uranium miners and utilities to reactor builders. Individual stocks can offer higher upside but come with greater volatility.

How Does Nuclear Energy Demand Affect Nuclear Stocks?

Strong demand for reliable electricity — especially from industrial users and data centers — typically increases utility earnings visibility and supports long-term contracts that benefit nuclear power producers.

Is Nuclear Energy Considered Clean Energy?

Nuclear power produces electricity with minimal greenhouse gas emissions during operation and is widely recognized in many clean energy frameworks, despite ongoing debates over waste management.

Are Nuclear Energy Stocks Good During Economic Uncertainty?

Utility-focused nuclear stocks often provide stable cash flows and dividends, acting as defensive assets in uncertain markets. Tech-heavy nuclear firms can be more cyclical and sensitive to investor sentiment.

Nuclear vs Uranium Stocks: What’s the Difference?

  • Nuclear energy stocks involve companies producing power or technology for reactors.
     
  • Uranium stocks focus on mining and commodity exposure to nuclear fuel prices.
     

Both benefit from overall nuclear sector growth, but they perform differently in response to market drivers.

Evaluating if Nuclear Energy Stocks Fit Your Investing Portfolio

How Does Uranium Price Affect Nuclear Energy Stocks?

Spikes in uranium pricing may increase fuel costs but can signal higher long-term nuclear demand, often bolstering related infrastructure investment.

Will Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) Increase Nuclear Stock Growth?

Commercial success for SMRs could open new market segments and accelerate capacity buildouts, potentially lifting shares of developers and their industrial partners.

How Will Government Policies Impact Nuclear Energy Companies?

Tax incentives, loan guarantees, and streamlined licensing improve nuclear project economics and can materially affect investor returns over the long term.

What Metrics Should I Evaluate When Picking Nuclear Stocks?

Assess balance-sheet strength, regulatory progress, contract pipelines, dividend history, and strategic partnerships that signal future growth potential.

How to Buy Nuclear Energy Stocks

How Do I Invest in Nuclear Energy Stocks?

You can buy shares of public companies through a brokerage platform. For stocks with higher volatility or lower liquidity, rigorous research is essential.

What Is the Easiest Way to Get Exposure to Nuclear Energy?

Nuclear-focused ETFs provide broad sector exposure without relying on the success of single companies.

Should I Buy Nuclear Stocks, Uranium Stocks, or Nuclear ETFs?

Choose based on your risk tolerance: individual nuclear stocks for targeted exposure, uranium stocks for commodity leverage, and ETFs for diversified sector participation.

Top Nuclear Energy ETFs to Invest In

  • VanEck Uranium+Nuclear ETF (NLR). Broad industry exposure across utilities, reactor tech, and fuel services.
     
  • Range Nuclear Renaissance ETF (NUKZ). Focused on companies positioned to benefit from the nuclear revival.
     

Managing Nuclear Energy Stocks

When Should I Sell Nuclear Energy Stocks?

Consider reducing positions after major overvaluation, project delays, or if fundamentals deteriorate relative to industry peers.

How Will Global Energy Transition Goals Affect My Nuclear Investments?

Global decarbonization targets and reliability concerns point to continued relevance for nuclear energy in balanced clean-energy portfolios.

Alternatives to Nuclear Energy Stocks

Are Nuclear Energy Stocks Too Risky?

Early-stage technology plays carry higher risk, but utilities with nuclear exposure tend to be more stable

Should I Invest in Renewable Energy Stocks Instead?

Renewables are expanding faster, but nuclear offers continuous baseload power, making it a complementary clean-energy asset.

Are Traditional Utility Stocks Safer Than Nuclear Stocks?

Traditional regulated utilities may be less volatile and provide dependable income, while nuclear stocks can offer greater thematic growth potential.

Read more: Check out this today’s list of Best Stocks to Buy Now.

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