We recently compiled a list of 7 Best Uranium Stocks To Buy According to Hedge Funds. In this article, we will look at where NexGen Energy (NYSE:NXE) ranks among the best uranium stocks to buy according to hedge funds.
Uranium Market Outlook
According to a report by the World Nuclear Association, the uranium market is a complex and cyclical industry, with prices fluctuating based on demand and supply. In recent years, primary production from mines has supplied around 90% of the requirements of power utilities, with the remaining 10% coming from secondary sources such as ex-military material, recycling, and stockpiles. The demand for uranium is driven by the need for fuel to power nuclear reactors. There are currently around 440 reactors worldwide, with a combined capacity of around 390 GWe. These reactors require around 80,000 tonnes of uranium oxide concentrate each year, which contains around 67,500 tonnes of uranium.
The uranium supply comes from various sources, including mines, stockpiles, and secondary sources, such as recycled uranium and plutonium. In 2022, mines supplied around 58,201 tonnes of uranium oxide concentrate containing around 49,355 tU, around 74% of the utilities’ annual requirements. Secondary sources of uranium include recycled uranium and plutonium from used fuel, re-enriched depleted uranium tails, ex-military weapons-grade uranium, and civil stockpiles. These sources, such as mixed oxide (MOX) fuel, can be converted into usable fuel.
The demand for Uranium is expected to grow over the next decade. The World Nuclear Association’s Nuclear Fuel Report indicates a 28% increase in uranium demand over 2023-2033 and a 51% increase in uranium demand for 2031-2040. However, the uranium market faces several challenges, including the need for increased investment in new mines and infrastructure, as well as similar policies that give preferential to subsidized wind and solar sources. There are growth opportunities, particularly in nuclear energy, which is expected to play a key role in reducing carbon emissions and meeting increasing global energy demands.
Big Tech Investments in Nuclear Energy to Drive Sector Growth
In an interview on September 24 with CNBC, Amir Adnani, CEO of Uranium Energy, said that he is highly optimistic about the future of uranium investing. He believes that the uranium market is finally emerging from an 11-year bear market and is experiencing a renaissance. This newfound enthusiasm for uranium is driven by the growing recognition that nuclear power is crucial in the global effort to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. As the world becomes increasingly aware of the need to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and transition to cleaner forms of energy, nuclear power is being rediscovered as a vital part of the solution.
Adnani notes that public opinion polls are now at an all-time high in support of nuclear power, indicating a significant shift in the public’s perception of this form of energy. Furthermore, big tech companies are beginning to take notice of the potential of nuclear energy and are starting to partner with nuclear energy companies to invest in new infrastructure. This influx of capital and expertise is expected to have a profound impact on the industry, driving innovation and growth in the sector. The demand for nuclear-generated electricity is increasing exponentially, driven by the development of data centers and cloud computing. This surge in demand is causing U.S. utilities to extend the life of reactors and bring back previously retired reactors, which in turn is driving up the market for uranium.
However, Adnani also acknowledges concerns about the potential for big tech companies to drive up prices for households using power. This is a valid concern, as the increasing demand for nuclear-generated electricity could potentially lead to a supply shortage, driving up prices for consumers. Nevertheless, Adnani believes that this is a manageable risk and that the benefits of investing in uranium far outweigh the potential drawbacks. He notes that the utilities need to invest upward of $50 billion to keep up with the growing demand for nuclear-generated electricity, which presents a significant opportunity for investors.
The uranium market is expected to experience significant growth over the next decade due to the growing demand for nuclear energy and an increasing need for low-carbon energy sources. The uranium market is poised to play a critical role in meeting global energy demands. With that in context, let’s take a look at the 7 best uranium stocks to buy according to hedge funds.
Our Methodology
To compile our list of the 7 best uranium stocks to buy according to hedge funds, we used the Finviz and Yahoo stock screeners to find the 9 largest Uranium companies. We then narrowed our choices to 7 stocks according to their hedge fund sentiment, which was taken from our database of 912 elite hedge funds as of Q2 of 2024. The list is sorted in ascending order of their hedge fund sentiment, as of the second quarter.
Why do we care about what hedge funds do? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).
NexGen Energy (NYSE:NXE)
Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 33
NexGen Energy (NYSE:NXE) is a Canadian uranium exploration and development company, primarily focused on the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan. Its flagship Rook I project hosts the Arrow Deposit is one of the highest-grade uranium deposits in the world. NexGen Energy’s (NYSE:NXE) advanced-stage projects and significant high-grade uranium reserves position it as a key player in the uranium market, with the potential to become a major uranium producer in the near future.
NexGen Energy’s (NYSE:NXE) main project Rook I is centred around a large uranium deposit discovered in 2014 known as the Arrow Deposit, spans over 35,065 hectares and has 32 minerals. The high-grade uranium found at the Arrow Deposit is the type of uranium used in nuclear power plants to produce energy.
The recent legislation signed by Joe Biden, known as the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act, will ban the import of Russian unirradiated low-enriched uranium (LEU) to the United States. The ban will begin 90 days post-signature, with phased reductions in allowable imports leading to a complete ban by January 1, 2028. This new legislation will gradually increase the demand for uranium from allied countries, such as Canada, in the next 4 years. In Q1, NexGen Energy (NYSE:NXE) reported a 32% year-over-year increase in cash and liquid assets, primarily driven by financing activities.
The upcoming decision from the federal commission hearing can be a significant catalyst for the share price and NexGen Energy (NYSE:NXE) can have a significant upside in the next 2-4 years. In the second quarter, the company’s stock was held by 33 hedge funds with stakes worth $275.91 million. Moore Global Investments is the largest shareholder in the company with a stake worth $33.30 million as of June 30.
Overall NXE ranks 2nd on our list of the best uranium stocks to buy according to hedge funds. While we acknowledge the potential of NXE as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than NXE but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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Disclosure. None. This article is originally published on Insider Monkey.