With inflation pressures tied to energy costs, shifting rate expectations and ongoing geopolitical tensions, many investors are looking again at reliable power sources that do not rely on fossil fuels. Nuclear energy stocks sit at the intersection of energy security and low carbon electricity, and this Nuclear Energy Stocks screener is designed to help you focus on listed companies involved in uranium supply, enrichment and reactor projects. In this article, three stocks from the screener will be highlighted to show how different parts of the nuclear value chain could fit into a diversified portfolio.

Duke Energy (DUK)

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

Operations: Duke Energy generates about US$33.2b in annual revenue, with around US$30.1b from Electric Utilities and Infrastructure and US$3.2b from Gas Utilities and Infrastructure, almost entirely in the United States.

Market Cap: US$97.5b

Duke Energy sits at the heart of the US nuclear ecosystem, with a regulated nuclear fleet, growing data center power demand and grid investment helping underpin earnings. A 3.39% dividend yield and high board independence add to its appeal. At the same time, heavy capital needs, reliance on external borrowing and regulatory scrutiny of rate hikes mean financing risk and pressure on returns remain key issues to watch. For investors focused on nuclear backed reliability and government supported projects, Duke Energy presents a mix of income, growth potential and trade offs that may warrant closer examination beyond the headlines.

Duke Energy’s regulated nuclear fleet, data center demand and grid buildout tell only half the story; the real question is how those cash hungry projects balance against shareholder returns in 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 supplies electricity and natural gas to customers across eight states, using a mix of wind, nuclear, hydro, biomass, solar, coal and gas generation alongside owned assets and long term power purchase agreements.

Operations: Xcel Energy generates about US$12.3b in revenue from electric services and US$2.5b from natural gas, with total revenue of roughly US$14.8b coming entirely from the United States.

Market Cap: US$49.2b

Investors looking at nuclear energy stocks may consider Xcel Energy because it combines a large carbon free generation buildout with data center demand and grid upgrades, all within a regulated framework that has supported steady earnings and a 3.01% dividend yield. At the same time, a US$60b capital program, wildfire liabilities and reliance on external borrowing and equity issuance raise questions about balance sheet pressure and dividend cover. For readers who want to understand whether Xcel’s clean energy initiatives, regulatory progress and analyst views justify those funding and risk trade offs, there is more to unpack beyond headline forecasts and P/E ratios.

Xcel Energy’s massive US$60b clean energy and grid plan could reshape its earnings mix, but the real story sits in how that spending interacts with wildfire liabilities and funding needs in the 2 key rewards and 2 important warning signs (1 is major!)

Oklo (OKLO)

Overview: Oklo is a US nuclear technology company developing compact Aurora Powerhouse reactors that are designed to deliver 15 to 75 megawatts of electricity under long term power contracts, while also building fuel recycling capabilities to turn used nuclear fuel into fresh fuel for its own plants.

Market Cap: US$7.2b

Oklo is attracting attention because it sits at the intersection of nuclear power, AI data centers and advanced fuel recycling, with collaborations involving companies such as NVIDIA and Meta and agreements like the Switch deal for up to 12 GW of power through 2044. At the same time, it remains pre revenue with a recent quarterly net loss of US$33.07m, ongoing regulatory work and a heavy reliance on external funding, including a US$1b follow on equity filing, which leaves execution and dilution risk front and center. For investors interested in whether Oklo’s progress on licensing, isotope projects and fuel supply deals justifies its current valuation and the expectations implied by its positioning, there is much more beneath the surface than the headline partnerships suggest.

Oklo’s story hinges on whether its AI focused reactor plans and fuel recycling vision can justify a US$7.2b valuation before meaningful revenue arrives, and the analyst forecasts for Oklo may reveal the one assumption that could flip this thesis.

The three nuclear energy stocks covered here are only a starting point, as the full Simply Wall St Nuclear Energy Stocks screener has identified 296 more companies with equally compelling narratives across uranium, enrichment and reactor projects in the Nuclear Energy Stocks screener. By using Simply Wall St, you can identify and analyze the specific catalysts and narratives that matter most to you, allowing you to focus on the opportunities in nuclear energy stocks that best align with your own views and priorities.

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Seeking Fresh Alternatives Beyond Nuclear?

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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.