Centrus Energy Stock Falls 3.3% Amidst Unexplained Decline
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 26 2026
0mins
Source: Fool
- Unexplained Stock Decline: Centrus Energy's stock fell 3.3% by 12:25 p.m. ET today, despite uranium prices rising 12% over the past few months to $88.40 per pound, the highest since May 2024, indicating strong market demand.
- Uranium Market Developments: South Korea's announcement to build two large nuclear plants in the 2030s, operational by 2037 and 2038, is bullish for global uranium demand, yet it has not prevented Centrus Energy's stock decline, reflecting complex market sentiments.
- Strong Financial Position: With a price-to-earnings ratio of 46, Centrus Energy is not cheap, but it is profitable and has a solid cash flow, highlighting its investment value in nuclear stocks, particularly in the production of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel.
- Market Outlook Analysis: Centrus Energy's balance sheet shows more cash than debt, and its free cash flow significantly exceeds net income, with an enterprise value-to-free cash flow ratio of only 34x, indicating strong investment potential in the nuclear sector despite current stock volatility.
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Analyst Views on LEU
Wall Street analysts forecast LEU stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for LEU is 297.10 USD with a low forecast of 117.00 USD and a high forecast of 390.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
14 Analyst Rating
10 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 242.090
Low
117.00
Averages
297.10
High
390.00
Current: 242.090
Low
117.00
Averages
297.10
High
390.00
About LEU
Centrus Energy Corp. is a supplier of nuclear fuel components for the nuclear power industry. Its segments include Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) and Technical Solutions. Its LEU segment supplies various components of nuclear fuel to commercial customers from its global network of suppliers. The LEU segment consists of two components: SWU and natural uranium hexafluoride. It supplies LEU and its components to both domestic and international utilities for use in nuclear reactors worldwide. It provides LEU from multiple sources, including its inventory, medium- and long-term supply contracts, and spot purchases. It also sells natural uranium hexafluoride and occasionally sells uranium concentrates. The Technical Solutions segment provides advanced engineering, design, and manufacturing services to government and private sector customers. It is deploying uranium enrichment and other capabilities necessary to produce advanced nuclear fuel to power existing reactors around the world.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Centrus Energy Surges 500% in 2025 Amid Nuclear Energy Boom
- Stock Surge: Centrus Energy's stock skyrocketed by 500% by mid-2025, finishing the year with a 264.4% gain, reflecting strong market confidence in nuclear energy independence amid significant industry reforms.
- Contract Extension: The company secured a contract extension with the U.S. Department of Energy through June 2026, solidifying its critical role in high-assay, low-enriched uranium (HALEU) production, which is expected to drive future revenue growth.
- Revenue Growth: In Q3 2025, Centrus reported a 30% year-over-year revenue increase, with operating income soaring over 1,000% to $37.4 million, indicating robust demand and expansion potential in the nuclear energy sector.
- Market Opportunity: With the U.S. ban on Russian uranium imports fully effective by 2028, Centrus is poised for significant growth opportunities due to its dominance in HALEU, further strengthening its market position in the nuclear energy industry.
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- AI Demand Driving Energy Investments: With electricity demand from AI workloads expected to double by 2030, companies like Bloom Energy, Constellation Energy, and Centrus Energy are strategically positioned to capitalize on this trend, potentially leading to significant revenue growth in the coming years.
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- Stability of Nuclear Energy: Constellation Energy (CEG), the largest nuclear operator in the U.S. with 21 reactors, is well-positioned as data center power demand is projected to reach 106 gigawatts by 2035, a 36% increase from previous forecasts, providing the company with a long-term competitive advantage over the next decade.
- Centrus Energy's Market Potential: Centrus Energy (LEU) reported a 30% year-over-year sales increase in Q3 2025 and maintains a good relationship with the U.S. government, securing waivers for 2026 and 2027, positioning itself to benefit from government policies aimed at tripling nuclear capacity by 2050.
- AI Demand Driving Energy Growth: With the surge in AI workloads, electricity demand is expected to double by 2030, benefiting companies like Bloom Energy and Constellation Energy, further solidifying their positions in the energy market.
See More
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- Business Transformation: Over the past decade, Centrus has completely transformed its business model, becoming a middleman that purchases and resells overseas low-enriched uranium after shutting down its U.S. enrichment facilities in 2013, successfully adapting to market changes.
- Revenue Growth: Centrus is expected to see its revenue more than double from 2018 to 2024, reaching $442 million, reflecting the success of its streamlined operations amid a recovering nuclear market.
- Dividend Potential: Analysts project Centrus's EPS to be $4.01 in 2026, and if it pays out half as dividends, it would yield 0.8%, indicating potential for future dividend growth as the nuclear market enters a possible supercycle.
See More
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- Uranium Reserve Strategy: President Trump's announcement of Project Vault, which will include a strategic reserve of uranium, has led to a 6.3% increase in Centrus Energy's stock price by noon ET Tuesday, indicating strong market expectations for uranium demand.
- Positive Market Reaction: As the largest seller of enriched uranium in the U.S., Centrus Energy is poised to benefit from over $11 billion in government spending, further solidifying its leadership position in the nuclear energy market.
- Strong Financial Performance: Despite a high price-to-earnings ratio of 43, Centrus generates $146 million in free cash flow, significantly exceeding its net income of $114 million, showcasing its relative attractiveness in an overvalued market.
- Investor Interest: Although Centrus Energy was not included in The Motley Fool Stock Advisor's top investment picks, its potential in the uranium market continues to attract investor attention, reflecting ongoing interest in the nuclear energy sector.
See More
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- Stock Surge: Centrus Energy's stock jumped 6.3% to $10.53 by noon Tuesday, reflecting strong investor enthusiasm for Trump's Project Vault, which is expected to generate over $11.7 billion in government spending.
- Strategic Reserve Expansion: Trump's Project Vault includes not only rare earth metals but also expands to over 50 critical minerals like uranium, lithium, and copper, indicating a government focus on diversifying mineral resources that could further boost related companies' stock prices.
- Uranium Market Potential: As the leading candidate for uranium enrichment in the U.S., Centrus Energy is poised to benefit from a new wave of government procurement, particularly with rising uranium demand enhancing its market competitiveness.
- Strong Cash Flow Performance: Despite a high price-to-earnings ratio of 43, Centrus generates $146 million in free cash flow, significantly exceeding its net income of $114 million, showcasing its relative value in nuclear energy investments and attracting more investor interest.
See More
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- Stock Surge: Centrus Energy's stock skyrocketed by 500% by mid-2025, finishing the year with a 264.4% gain, reflecting strong market confidence in nuclear energy independence amid significant industry reforms.
- Contract Extension: The company secured a contract extension with the U.S. Department of Energy through June 2026, solidifying its critical role in high-assay, low-enriched uranium (HALEU) production, which is expected to drive future revenue growth.
- Revenue Growth: In Q3 2025, Centrus reported a 30% year-over-year revenue increase, with operating income soaring over 1,000% to $37.4 million, indicating robust demand and expansion potential in the nuclear energy sector.
- Market Opportunity: With the U.S. ban on Russian uranium imports fully effective by 2028, Centrus is poised for significant growth opportunities due to its dominance in HALEU, further strengthening its market position in the nuclear energy industry.
See More
Energy Stocks Surge Driven by AI Demand
- Bloom Energy Revenue Surge: Bloom Energy reported a record revenue increase of 57.1% year-over-year in Q3 2025, driven by partnerships with tech giants like Oracle and CoreWeave, which provide steady revenue streams and highlight strong market demand in the AI data center sector.
- Nuclear Market Outlook: Constellation Energy, the largest nuclear operator in the U.S. with 21 reactors and 55 gigawatts of capacity, is well-positioned as data center power demand is projected to reach 106 gigawatts by 2035, a 36% increase from previous forecasts, laying a solid foundation for growth over the next decade.
- Centrus Energy Growth Potential: Centrus Energy experienced a 30% year-over-year sales increase in Q3 2025 and has secured government waivers for 2026 and 2027, establishing a strong position in the small modular reactor market, which is expected to benefit from rising nuclear energy demand.
- AI Demand Driving Energy Investments: With electricity demand from AI workloads expected to double by 2030, companies like Bloom Energy, Constellation Energy, and Centrus Energy are strategically positioned to capitalize on this trend, potentially leading to significant revenue growth in the coming years.
See More
Investment Opportunities in the Energy Sector
- Bloom Energy Performance: Bloom Energy (BE) achieved a 57.1% year-over-year sales increase in Q3 2025, securing partnerships with tech giants like Oracle and CoreWeave, which ensures stable revenue for several years and highlights strong market demand in the AI data center sector.
- Stability of Nuclear Energy: Constellation Energy (CEG), the largest nuclear operator in the U.S. with 21 reactors, is well-positioned as data center power demand is projected to reach 106 gigawatts by 2035, a 36% increase from previous forecasts, providing the company with a long-term competitive advantage over the next decade.
- Centrus Energy's Market Potential: Centrus Energy (LEU) reported a 30% year-over-year sales increase in Q3 2025 and maintains a good relationship with the U.S. government, securing waivers for 2026 and 2027, positioning itself to benefit from government policies aimed at tripling nuclear capacity by 2050.
- AI Demand Driving Energy Growth: With the surge in AI workloads, electricity demand is expected to double by 2030, benefiting companies like Bloom Energy and Constellation Energy, further solidifying their positions in the energy market.
See More
Centrus Energy Stock Surges 500% Amid Nuclear Market Recovery
- Market Recovery: Centrus Energy's stock has surged nearly 500% over the past three years, primarily driven by the restart of nuclear projects in multiple countries, indicating strong recovery potential in the nuclear energy market.
- Business Transformation: Over the past decade, Centrus has completely transformed its business model, becoming a middleman that purchases and resells overseas low-enriched uranium after shutting down its U.S. enrichment facilities in 2013, successfully adapting to market changes.
- Revenue Growth: Centrus is expected to see its revenue more than double from 2018 to 2024, reaching $442 million, reflecting the success of its streamlined operations amid a recovering nuclear market.
- Dividend Potential: Analysts project Centrus's EPS to be $4.01 in 2026, and if it pays out half as dividends, it would yield 0.8%, indicating potential for future dividend growth as the nuclear market enters a possible supercycle.
See More
Trump's Project Vault to Include Uranium Reserves
- Uranium Reserve Strategy: President Trump's announcement of Project Vault, which will include a strategic reserve of uranium, has led to a 6.3% increase in Centrus Energy's stock price by noon ET Tuesday, indicating strong market expectations for uranium demand.
- Positive Market Reaction: As the largest seller of enriched uranium in the U.S., Centrus Energy is poised to benefit from over $11 billion in government spending, further solidifying its leadership position in the nuclear energy market.
- Strong Financial Performance: Despite a high price-to-earnings ratio of 43, Centrus generates $146 million in free cash flow, significantly exceeding its net income of $114 million, showcasing its relative attractiveness in an overvalued market.
- Investor Interest: Although Centrus Energy was not included in The Motley Fool Stock Advisor's top investment picks, its potential in the uranium market continues to attract investor attention, reflecting ongoing interest in the nuclear energy sector.
See More
Centrus Energy Stock Soars on Trump's Project Vault Details
- Stock Surge: Centrus Energy's stock jumped 6.3% to $10.53 by noon Tuesday, reflecting strong investor enthusiasm for Trump's Project Vault, which is expected to generate over $11.7 billion in government spending.
- Strategic Reserve Expansion: Trump's Project Vault includes not only rare earth metals but also expands to over 50 critical minerals like uranium, lithium, and copper, indicating a government focus on diversifying mineral resources that could further boost related companies' stock prices.
- Uranium Market Potential: As the leading candidate for uranium enrichment in the U.S., Centrus Energy is poised to benefit from a new wave of government procurement, particularly with rising uranium demand enhancing its market competitiveness.
- Strong Cash Flow Performance: Despite a high price-to-earnings ratio of 43, Centrus generates $146 million in free cash flow, significantly exceeding its net income of $114 million, showcasing its relative value in nuclear energy investments and attracting more investor interest.
See More
