10 nuclear energy stocks that will benefit from the Meta and Constellation deal

Technology giant Meta Platforms' deal with Constellation Energy, the largest operator of nuclear power plants in the US has sparked a surge in energy stocks. Investors are betting that the rapid development of artificial intelligence will require additional sources of energy. For those looking to capitalize on that, MarketWatch has selected ten stocks that could yield between 17% and 94% over a 12-month horizon.  

The publication analyzed the composition of four exchange traded funds (ETFs) investing in nuclear power, equipment manufacturing and related services: Global X Uranium ETF, VanEck Uranium & Nuclear ETF, Range Nuclear Renaissance Index ETF and Uranium & Nuclear ETF. Together, they cover 91 stocks from the industry, but the portal selected only those rated by at least nine analysts. Among these candidates, the list includes stocks from companies with the highest number of «buy» tips and upside potential. The data was calculated based on the stock's closing stock price on June 2, 2025.

- Topping the list of expected returns wasDenison Mines Corp, a Canadian uranium mining company. Its shares have the potential to rise another 94%, according to data compiled by MarketWatch.

- It is followed by NexGen Energy Ltd, another Canadian uranium miner whose shares have a potential upside of 56%.

- Rounding out the top three is Japan's Fuji Electric Co. Ltd. It specializes in electrical equipment, automation and power systems, including solutions for nuclear power. The market value of this company, according to analysts' estimates, may increase by 36%.

- Next on the list is Australian uranium mining company Paladin Energy Ltd. Its securities may rise by 30% on the horizon of the next 12 months.

- In fifth place was PG&E Corp. (Pacific Gas and Electric Corporation) is one of the largest energy companies in the USA. The growth potential of its quotations is 27%.

- It is followed by Flowserve Corp by a small margin. This is another American corporation that produces equipment for critical industries, including nuclear power, oil, gas, chemicals and water supply. Its quotations may grow by 26%;

- Kazakhstan natural uranium producer Kazatomprom, whose depositary receiptstraded on the London Exchange, appeared to have the same upside potential.

- In seventh place is Samsung C&T Corp, a South Korean diversified company, part of the Samsung Group, with assets in construction, energy, industrial and investment. The upside potential of its securities is 19%.

- Shares of CGN Power Co. Ltd, China's largest nuclear power plant operator, may rise 18%.  

- Rounding out the top ten with room for another 17% growth is diversified Japanese corporation Hitachi Ltd.

Meta Platforms, whose shares are part of the Magnificent Seven, on June 3 has entered into a power purchase agreement with Constellation Energy, the largest operator of nuclear power plants in the United States. It is Meta's largest power agreement with an operating reactor operator and could give a new boost to the entire nuclear energy industry, say some analysts. Previously, investors avoided the sector, but that has changed dramatically with the fierceness of the AI race. Tech giants now need more and more electricity to power their large data centers, with nuclear power as a backdrop to become one of the main beneficiaries of the AI boom.

Despite 14 out of 19 analysts recommending buying Constellation Energy stock, it did not make MarketWatch's list. The Wall Street consensus target price is already below the current market s current price target by nearly 2%.