SMR NuScale Power Corporation : Bullish and Bearish Analyst Opinions

SMR has experienced a pullback from its recent highs of $33. The broader energy and AI data-center power demand narrative remains intact. Buy the dip on SMR before it pops back to its previous resistance levels. The stock may face further downward pressure if the broader tech/AI rally stalls.

The author advises against buying NuScale ($SMR) at current levels, implying the stock has further downside or is not a favorable long position yet.

"Acla [Oklo] in Idaho Falls, Idaho is breaking ground... Right now, there are a lot of retrofits, a lot of small modular reactors... The permitting is going much faster under president Trump." The EPA is actively fast-tracking nuclear permits and reducing regulatory hurdles for next-generation nuclear technology. Companies developing Small Modular Reactors (like Oklo and NuScale) and the broader nuclear power providers will benefit from accelerated project timelines, reduced compliance costs, and strong federal backing. LONG. Regulatory tailwinds and government mandates for rapid deployment provide a strong structural catalyst for nuclear developers. Project execution delays, cost overruns inherent in scaling new nuclear technology, or legal challenges from environmental groups.

"Yes, the permitting is going much faster under President Trump... it's almost a proof of concept when, you know, Arklow in Idaho Falls, Idaho is breaking ground, which they have recently done. They want to build many more." The EPA and DOE have drastically reduced regulatory friction for nuclear power. The speaker explicitly references "Arklow" (a phonetic transcription error for Oklo Inc., which is building a reactor in Idaho Falls). This accelerated timeline directly benefits Small Modular Reactor (SMR) developers (OKLO, SMR) and the broader uranium supply chain (CCJ) by pulling forward commercialization dates, reducing compliance costs, and proving that the government will allow ground to be broken quickly. LONG. The regulatory environment for next-generation nuclear has shifted from a bureaucratic headwind to a massive, government-sponsored tailwind. Nuclear projects are notoriously prone to cost overruns and engineering delays, even with fast-tracked permits. Any safety incident at a new site could immediately reverse public and regulatory support.

The tech companies are pretty good at innovating technology and deploying it quickly. I think you could see the AI industry supplying net energy to the rest of the world. Tech hyperscalers are desperate for massive amounts of electricity to power Agentic AI data centers. With the NRC recently approving the first non-water-cooled civilian nuclear reactor in 52 years, tech companies will use their massive capital to bypass traditional utilities and directly fund Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), driving a structural supercycle for uranium and nuclear technology. LONG. The convergence of AI power demands and deregulation will ignite a privately funded nuclear renaissance. The environmental lobby successfully blocks the construction of new nuclear facilities, or tech companies pivot to alternative baseload energy sources like geothermal.

Arnold states that advanced nuclear (SMRs) and fusion are "promising but very, very difficult." He predicts a "falling out in the industry" because there are too many SMR companies and the economics are unproven. He estimates commercial scale is 10-15 years away. Publicly traded SMR companies are currently priced on near-term deployment optimism. If the timeline is actually a decade out, these pre-revenue companies will face massive dilution or bankruptcy before reaching commercial viability. AVOID. The capital intensity and regulatory timelines do not match current valuations. A sudden breakthrough in regulatory approval or massive government subsidies that backstop these specific companies.

"I'm very bullish on uranium... The future is going to be in SMRs (Small Modular Reactors) for data centers." Tech giants (like Microsoft) need massive, consistent power for AI data centers that renewables cannot provide reliably. Nuclear is the only clean baseload solution. SMRs represent the specific technology scalable for this use case. Long uranium miners and SMR technology developers. Regulatory hurdles slowing SMR deployment; another high-profile nuclear accident.