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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 Rolls-Royce, PG&E and Duke Energy.
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).
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.
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%.
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.
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%.
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 ScoreA
Growth ScoreA
Momentum ScoreA
VGM ScoreA
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 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.
Rolls-Royce is a leading provider of aircraft engines and defense power systems, with nuclear exposure through its SMR unit. In its latest AGM trading update, the company highlighted strength in its Civil Aerospace, Defense, and Power Systems businesses, supported by growth in large-engine flying hours and solid demand across power generation and aftermarket verticals. Rolls-Royce SMR entered into a deal with Great British Energy–Nuclear to commence development work on the UK’s first SMRs.
Potential Risks
Supply-chain constraints can still pressure deliveries and working capital, and SMR localization politics could raise costs or slow momentum.
Forecast
A Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) with a Score of B for Growth points to supportive earnings revisions despite Scores of D for Value and Momentum. The Price, Consensus & EPS Surprise chart shows a strong price uptrend with rising 2026–2027 consensus EPS lines.
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.
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%.
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.
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%.
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 ScoreA
Growth ScoreA
Momentum ScoreA
VGM ScoreA
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 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.
PG&E is a California-based electric and gas utility with meaningful exposure to nuclear power via the Diablo Canyon power plant. In Q1 2026, the company grew core EPS year over year and reaffirmed full-year guidance, signaling that rate-base growth and cost discipline are translating into steadier earnings power. Diablo Canyon’s outlook improved after the federal NRC approved PG&E’s 20-year license renewal application, extending the plant’s economic runway and supporting reliability as California’s load grows.
Potential Risks
Natural disaster-related liabilities and regulatory scrutiny remain existential overhangs, and major capex programs can create execution risk and political pushback on rates.
Forecast
A Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) with a Score of A for Value suggests reasonable pricing versus peers, though Growth and Momentum are only average. The chart shows 2026 consensus EPS largely flat with choppy price action, and EPS surprises are mixed rather than consistently positive.
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.
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%.
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.
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%.
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 ScoreA
Growth ScoreA
Momentum ScoreA
VGM ScoreA
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 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.
Duke Energy is a regulated electric and gas utility with nuclear exposure through its Carolinas fleet. In Q1 2026, the company’s earnings improved year over year, reflecting the recovery of infrastructure investments, and management reaffirmed its full-year earnings outlook and long-term growth framework. It is converting its economic development pipeline into executed electric service agreements, which increases visibility into future demand and related infrastructure planning.
Potential Risks
Utilities can lag if rates stay higher for longer, and large capital programs raise execution and regulatory risks. Any unplanned nuclear outages, refueling delays, or policy changes to credit regimes could pressure earnings quality and sentiment.
Forecast
A Zacks Rank #3 with Scores of D for Growth, and C for Value and Momentum, expectations look steady. The chart shows EPS consensus largely flat into 2026–2027 while the stock has advanced, and earnings surprises are mixed.
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.
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%.
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.
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%.
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 ScoreA
Growth ScoreA
Momentum ScoreA
VGM ScoreA
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 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.
BHP Group is a diversified global miner with nuclear exposure through uranium produced at Olympic Dam, alongside copper and other metals. The company’s scale, low-cost positions in tier-one assets, and long mine lives tend to support resilient cash generation across commodity cycles, which matters in a capital-intensive sector. Its by-product uranium can also add incremental earnings as demand for the metal increases globally.
Potential Risks
The company’s results are tied to volatile commodity prices. Large projects and expansions carry capex and execution risk, while geopolitical or regulatory shifts in Australia and other jurisdictions can affect costs and timelines.
Forecast
A Zacks Rank #3 paired with a Score of A for Growth and VGM signals healthy estimate support. The company’s chart shows EPS consensus rebuilding into 2026–2027 as the price breaks higher.
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.
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%.
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.
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%.
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 ScoreA
Growth ScoreA
Momentum ScoreA
VGM ScoreA
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 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.
GE Vernova is an energy equipment and services leader with nuclear exposure via GE Vernova Hitachi and Steam Power units. In Q1 2026, the company posted strong order momentum and a large sequential backlog build, alongside margin expansion and higher cash generation. Nuclear services add a steadier aftermarket layer as utilities extend reactor lives and pursue uprates.
Potential Risks
Results can be lumpy given project timing, and management has flagged tariff-related cost headwinds and uneven onshore wind demand as swing factors. After a steep rally, any slowdown in orders or margin execution could affect results.
Forecast
A Zacks Rank #3 with Scores of A for Growth and Momentum suggests strong forward signals even with a Value score of F. The company’s chart shows sharply rising EPS consensus into 2026–2027 alongside an outsized price surge, with surprises skewing positive.
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 +23.70% per year from January, 1988, through April 6, 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, June 8, 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.
View the Zacks #1 Rank List
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