Nuclear Stocks Surge. What to Do With Oklo, BWX, and ASP Now.

An aerial view shows storm clouds moving over Constellation’s Clinton Clean Energy Center’s single nuclear reactor power plant on July 25, 2025 in Clinton, Illinois. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

A few weeks ago, we spotlighted the nuclear energy space and flagged its growing relevance in the future of clean power generation. That thesis is already gaining traction. Both BWX Technologies and Oklo , names we previously highlighted, have been on the move, with BWX surging 20% on Tuesday alone.

The Range Nuclear Renaissance ETF (NUKZ), which traded at $60.34 Tuesday, has echoed the sector’s strength, doubling over the past year as investor enthusiasm accelerates. From a technical standpoint, the fund remains well-positioned, albeit slightly extended after its strong advance off a double bottom breakout. Traders may want to watch for a healthy pullback toward the bull flag breakout near $57 for a potential entry.

BWX Technologies, a heavyweight in nuclear equipment, first caught our attention as it shaped a textbook bull flag through June and July, ultimately breaking out on July 25.

What stood out was its resilience, shrugging off multiple doji candles that often signal hesitation. With Tuesday’s 18% surge to $182—it traded as high as $189—the stock has already tagged our $185 year-end target, but this kind of breakaway gap, especially into all-time highs, demands respect. When a stock enters uncharted territory, gaps like these tend to hold rather than fill.

That said, maintaining above the key $170 level will be critical for the bullish thesis to stay intact. Locking in gains here, perhaps trimming by a third, makes sense, but given the momentum, a push toward $200 by the fourth quarter is starting to feel increasingly plausible.

Oklo, a fast-rising force in the small modular reactor (SMR) space, continues to generate serious heat.

The stock has soared more than 200% in just the past three months—not a typo—and the chart suggests it may still be far from cooling off. As seasoned investors know, true leaders tend to work immediately, and Oklo hasn’t looked back since breaking out above a double bottom pivot at $31.56 on May 13.

Momentum names often offer add-on entries on the way up, and this one is currently holding its breakout above the cup base trigger at $73.65 with conviction. Staying constructive above $71 seems prudent, especially with the stock showing exceptional relative strength this week, up another 14%. If this pace holds, OKLO, which closed up 10% at $84.09 on Tuesday, could very well test the round $100 level by year-end.

ASP Isotopes , a cutting edge player in nuclear and quantum materials, has surged an impressive 107% so far in 2025. The psychological pull of round number theory is clear, with the key $10 level acting as a notable resistance, first tested last Fall and again in early June.

After forming a double bottom and breaking out above a $7.10 pivot in mid-May, ASP stock, which closed at $9.97, now appears poised to challenge $10 with renewed conviction. Watch for a breakout above the bull flag trigger at $10.25. Clearing this could open the door to a $14—$15 target by year-end.

The nuclear sector’s momentum is far from radioactive, and could have plenty more room to run.

Write to Doug Busch at douglas.busch@barrons.com.