Why NuScale Power Stock Skyrocketed Today

North America
Source: The Motley FoolPublished: 09/20/2025, 03:14:20 EDT
NuScale Power
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
Nuclear Energy
US-UK Cooperation
Stock Volatility
Image source: Getty Images.

News Summary

NuScale Power, a leading U.S. developer of small modular reactors (SMRs), saw its stock surge 18.2% today following news of a $350 billion U.S.-U.K. investment deal targeting artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and nuclear energy sectors. Of the total, $195 billion is allocated to the U.K., with the remaining $155 billion for U.S. AI, quantum, and nuclear sectors. However, the article highlights that NuScale Power is conspicuously absent from the specific nuclear projects detailed in the announcement, such as HALEU fuel supply or advanced modular reactor construction. Instead, the named beneficiaries—Urenco, Radiant, X-Energy, Centrica, Last Energy, and DP World—are all privately owned companies. The author questions the justification for NuScale's stock rally, concluding that if the publicly disclosed projects are comprehensive, NuScale Power appears unlikely to directly benefit from this investment. The article maintains a “sell” rating on NuScale stock.

Background

NuScale Power is a U.S. company focused on developing small modular reactor (SMR) technology, which is considered a critical future direction in nuclear energy. SMRs aim to provide safer, more flexible, and potentially lower-cost nuclear power solutions. The incumbent U.S. Trump administration places high importance on leadership in critical technology sectors, including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and nuclear energy. The $350 billion cooperation agreement with the U.K. is a manifestation of its strategy to advance these strategic industries and solidify global technological superiority. This agreement seeks to foster collaborative innovation and investment between the two nations in these high-tech domains to address global energy and technological challenges.

In-Depth AI Insights

Does NuScale Power's stock surge reflect long-term market optimism for SMR technology, rather than a direct response to specific investments? - The immediate surge in stock price, even without direct mention of the company, suggests a strong underlying market optimism for Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology itself. Investors may interpret any major positive news related to the nuclear energy sector, especially involving inter-governmental cooperation and significant investment, as a bullish signal for the entire SMR industry, overlooking specific details. - This could also reflect retail investor speculation, fueled by incomplete information or social media, blindly chasing