With inflation pressures easing but energy costs still driving market swings, many investors are looking for ways to keep portfolios aligned with long term power demand and potential inflation resilience. Nuclear energy stocks sit at the crossroads of energy security, decarbonisation goals, and an ongoing focus on reliable baseload power. The Nuclear Energy Stocks screener helps cut through a broad universe of uranium producers, enrichment facilities, and reactor operators to highlight listed companies tied to this theme. In this article, you will see 3 stocks from the screener that illustrate different ways to gain exposure to nuclear energy.

Duke Energy (DUK)

Overview: Duke Energy is a large US utility that generates and delivers electricity and natural gas across the Southeast and Midwest through a mix of coal, gas, hydro, renewables and one of the largest regulated nuclear fleets in the country.

Operations: Duke Energy generates most of its US$33.7b in revenue from Electric Utilities and Infrastructure at about US$30.1b, with Gas Utilities and Infrastructure contributing about US$3.2b, almost all of it from US customers.

Market Cap: US$97.5b

Duke Energy sits at the heart of the nuclear energy theme, combining a large regulated nuclear fleet and grid investments with exposure to growing power demand from data centers and population inflows into its service regions. Investors focusing on stable earnings may note its 15.5% net margin and a dividend yield above 3%, although free cash flow and interest coverage are tighter than some may prefer. Regulatory pushback on rate rises, heavy capital needs for grid and generation projects, and balance sheet leverage all add risk. The key consideration is how these factors, including growth drivers, regulatory decisions and funding pressures, interact over time.

Duke Energy’s regulated nuclear fleet and 3%+ dividend yield can look reassuring, but tighter free cash flow and leverage tell a more complicated story. Before you decide how it fits your portfolio, review the 4 key rewards and 3 important warning signs (1 is major!)

Xcel Energy (XEL)

Overview: Xcel Energy is a long established US utility that generates and delivers electricity and natural gas across eight states, using a mix of wind, nuclear, hydro, solar, biomass, coal, and natural gas, alongside investments in energy technology and community solar projects.

Operations: Xcel Energy generates about US$12.3b from Electric operations and US$2.5b from Natural Gas, with total revenue of roughly US$14.8b coming from US customers.

Market Cap: US$49.2b

Xcel Energy attracts attention in the nuclear and clean power theme because it ties a regulated nuclear fleet to a large US$60b capital program in grid upgrades, renewables, and rising data center and electrification demand. Its 14.1% net margin, dividend, and history of constructive regulators sit alongside concerns about cash flow coverage, wildfire liabilities, and heavy reliance on external funding. Investors are left weighing modest earnings growth against funding and regulatory risks. Upcoming Q2 2026 results and recent rate case progress could be important signals. A further issue is how this multi decade infrastructure build and data center trend might reshape Xcel’s earnings profile and perceived valuation over time.

Xcel Energy’s large US$60b build out and nuclear backbone could be reshaping earnings in ways the market has not fully priced. Get the full story in the analysis report for Xcel Energy

Oklo (OKLO)

Overview: Oklo is an early stage US nuclear company developing compact Aurora Powerhouse fission plants designed to deliver 15 to 75 megawatts of electricity under long term power contracts, while also working on recycling used nuclear fuel to supply its own reactors. It aims to combine on site, always on nuclear generation with tailored energy solutions for customers such as data centers.

Market Cap: US$7.2b

Oklo catches attention because it is pitching nuclear power as a service for AI data centers and other heavy users, keeping ownership of its Aurora reactors and aiming for recurring revenue backed by long term contracts such as the 12 GW Switch agreement through 2044. At the same time, it is still pre revenue, reporting a US$33m net loss, with no commercial plants operating and a regulatory path that, while helped by NRC design approvals and DOE reactor and isotope milestones, still carries significant timing and cost uncertainty. With cash and marketable equities reported at roughly US$2.2b and partnerships with groups like NVIDIA and Meta, the real question is how that runway, licensing progress and insider selling balance against the promise of future nuclear cash flows.

Oklo’s pitch of nuclear power as a service for AI data centers, backed by cash of roughly US$2.2b and high profile partners, could look like an inflection point in waiting, and the analyst forecasts for Oklo may reveal the twist that changes how you see that US$33m loss and long term contracts

The three nuclear energy stocks in this article are just a starting point, with the full Nuclear Energy Stocks screener surfacing 32 more companies that pair nuclear exposure with equally compelling narratives across fuel, infrastructure, and reactor operations. Use Simply Wall St to identify and analyze the specific catalysts, risk profiles, and long term narratives that matter most to you, so you can focus on the highest conviction nuclear energy plays in one place.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.