Wall Street is betting on a nuclear renaissance. Here are the 3 top-rated nuclear energy stocks to buy now.

In a recent interview, AI permabull and Wedbush analyst Dan Ives responded that energy concerns around this revolutionary technology can be effectively mitigated by nuclear sources. The market seems to agree with him, as shares of VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NLR) are up 49% year to date (YTD). The ETF, with assets under management of approximately $3.4 billion, is one of the largest in the sector, covering companies involved in uranium mining, nuclear reactors/power production, and equipment and services in the nuclear industry.

Furthermore, it is projected to reach a size of around $51.83 billion by 2035, up from $37 billion currently, and is expected to continue the sector’s stock rally story. Various reasons are cited for the same: Be it the huge build-up of data centers for AI, the large amount of new capacity in Asia or the support of governments around the world to reduce harmful emissions from fossil fuels, the arguments in favor of nuclear energy going “nuclear” in terms of growth are many.

As such, investors can consider this space a solid bet and benefit from an energy theme that is sure to gain wide acceptance in the coming years. But how? Well, here are three names in the sector that Wall Street analysts are quite bullish on.

#1 Top Rated Nuclear Energy Stock: Asp Isotopes (ASPI)

With its roots in the 1980s, Asp Isotopes (ASPI) was incorporated in Delaware in September 2021. The company describes itself as an advanced materials company dedicated to developing technology and processes to produce enriched isotopes for multiple industries. It employs a patented technology called Aerodynamic Separation Process (“ASP technology”) for isotope enrichment.

Valued at a market capitalization of $620 million, ASPI shares are up 31% so far this year.

In the most recent quarter, Asp Isotopes reported total revenue of $4.9 million, a substantial increase from the prior year’s figure of just $1.1 million. However, the company’s losses for the third quarter of 2025 widened to $0.15 per share from $0.12 per share. This was also higher than the consensus estimate of a loss of $0.10 per share.

Net cash used in operating activities also increased during the first nine months of 2025 to nearly $20 million from approximately $13 million in the same period a year ago. However, it strengthened its cash balance since the beginning of the year to $113.9 million from $61.9 million. This was much higher than the company’s short-term debt levels of around $13 million.

Overall, amid limited coverage from a single analyst, ASPI stock has been assigned a “Strong Buy” rating with an average price target of $11. This indicates an upside potential of around 83% from current levels.

#2 Top-Rated Nuclear Energy Stocks: Talen Energy Corporation (TLN)

Founded in 2015, Talen Energy (TLN) owns and operates a portfolio of nuclear, natural gas, oil and coal power generation assets in the US, producing electricity, capacity (rights to generate or reserve capacity) and ancillary services in the wholesale energy markets. It is also increasingly focused on the infrastructure side of the energy transition, supplying large customers (such as data centres) and aiming to convert or retire legacy coal assets, move to low-carbon generation and monetize its land/infrastructure for future growth.

TLN stock has seen a healthy rise so far this year, rising 81%, bringing its current market capitalization to $16.8 billion.

Conveniently profitable with growing revenue, the diversified energy player with interests in nuclear energy reported progress on both the revenue and profit fronts for the third quarter of 2025, its latest quarter. Operating income saw a 25% year-over-year increase to $812 million as the key Capacity and Power segments experienced growth. Earnings per share saw an even sharper rise in the same period, to $4.25 from $3.16 in the year-ago period. The EPS also comfortably beat the consensus estimate of an EPS of $3.18.

Meanwhile, in the first nine months of 2025, the company reported net cash from operating activities of $424 million, up from $246 million in the same period a year ago. Overall, Talen closed the quarter with a cash balance of $497 million, much higher than its short-term debt levels of $17 million.

Thus, analysts have assigned a “Strong Buy” consensus rating to the stock, with an average price target of $462.29, denoting an upside potential of approximately 25.2% from current levels. Of the 15 analysts covering the stock, 12 have a “Strong Buy” rating, one has a “Moderate Buy” rating, and two have a “Hold” rating.

#3 Top Rated Nuclear Energy Stock: Ur Energy (URG)

We conclude our list with Ur Energy (URG), a uranium mining company founded in 2004, dedicated to the acquisition, exploration, development and operation of uranium mineral properties in the United States, with its flagship project in Wyoming. Ur-Energy produces uranium (U₃O₈) using in-situ recovery (ISR) mining methods in Wyoming. Its flagship site is the Lost Creek Project in south-central Wyoming. At its core, its business encompasses the recovery, processing and exploration of uranium mineral properties, with the aim of capitalizing on the growing demand for nuclear energy and uranium.

Valued at a market capitalization of $443.9 million, URG stock is up just 0.43% so far this year, vastly underperforming not only its previous peers but also the broader market.

Furthermore, in the third quarter of 2025, the company reported a failure in both revenue and results. In fact, sales declined 1.2% from a year earlier to $6.3 million, while losses more than tripled to $0.07 per share from the prior year’s figure of $0.02 per share.

However, cash flow from operations slowed somewhat. Net cash used in operating activities for the first nine months of 2025 was $24.3 million compared to $32.5 million a year earlier. Furthermore, the company’s cash balance, of about $52 million, was much higher than its short-term debt levels of about $1 million.

Taking all of this into account, analysts have deemed URG stock a “Strong Buy,” with an average price target of $2.24, representing an upside potential of around 89.8% from current levels. Of the six analysts covering the stock, five have a “Strong Buy” rating and one has a “Hold” rating.

final shot

Nuclear energy is here to stay and grow. Although there are several ways to approach this issue, these three companies have earned the trust of Wall Street. In particular, Talen seems particularly strong among them, and its diversified presence across the energy field also gives it an advantage. However, pure-play companies like URG and ASPI are also well positioned with stable balance sheets and revenues and can be considered bold bets in this exciting sector.

On the date of publication, Pathikrit Bose had no (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article are for informational purposes only. For more information, see Barchart’s Disclosure Policy here.