Psst: If You’re Looking for an Unloved Investment Sector, How About Uranium?
Uranium has become the forgotten fuel, but that could change … and if it does, there could be some interesting opportunities.


As a market strategist I have no choice but to track the hottest sectors of the market, but I also keep a close watch on the most unloved areas. Like Wayne Gretzky, I like to skate to where the puck will be, not where it is; and today I’m focusing on uranium.
Remember nuclear energy? Many don’t, so let’s review. Smashing together atoms of uranium or uranium derivatives causes a chain reaction that unleashes enough energy to destroy the world or, wait for it, power the world.
Speaking from Firsthand Experience
My expertise in this area is personal. As a Naval aviator I spent the better part of a decade sleeping on top of two nuclear reactors on several of our nation’s finest aircraft carriers. Those

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
two reactors could send a 90,000-ton vessel around the world countless times at a top speed that remains confidential. So, with global concern over carbon emissions and climate change, why isn’t nuclear energy a priority?
Opponents of the energy source have long cited safety as the primary issue — and they have some valid examples to point, but it can be argued that those examples were the result of
human error. Humans decided to build Japan’s Fukushima nuclear power plant near a fault line and in a tsunami zone. Bad idea. Chernobyl was a good design with almost enough fail-safes to make it meltdown-proof. But Communist Party officials, afraid to report anything but success up the chain, made decisions against the advice of scientists and engineers. Bad idea. Preventable disasters.
Fast-forward to 2021 with a worldwide emphasis on carbon neutrality and Environmental Social Governance (ESG) investing. The electrification of automobiles is a top priority for green
energy proponents, but when those cars are plugged in, ironically they’re being charged with power mostly from fossil fuel burning plants. Wind and solar are the current alternatives;
however, windmills alter landscapes and produce power only when there is wind. Solar is expensive, requires ample space, and doesn’t produce at night.
Possible Pent-up Demand
Environmental proponents have been against nuclear since the 1960s, but if the narrative around this power source begins to change, there are investment opportunities that could prove lucrative.
Given the drawdown of interest in nuclear energy in past decades, there has also been a drawdown of uranium mining, thus creating a relative scarcity. That alone could buoy prices of the commodity and stocks of the companies that mine it. But if the narrative surrounding nuclear energy becomes more positive, uranium scarcity combined with increased demand ... well, there you have Econ 101. While the future is uncertain, we do know that currently, there are 50 reactors under construction worldwide, according to the World Nuclear Association, and 100 more are on order or planned.
Curious? Some Pointers Toward Getting Started
If you want to invest in the sector, beware, it’s a bit of the Wild West. Most production comes out of Kazakhstan. One strategy would be to sift through the world of uranium mining companies and hand-select the more reputable names, some of which are as much as 55% off of their all-time highs set back in 2007. If you prefer more diversification and professional management, there are managed ETFs in the space, as well.
If we are, indeed, embarking on a new nuclear age, plays such as these might catch fire.
Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment adviser. Member FINRA/SIPC.
Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax adviser.
The fast price swings in commodities will result in significant volatility in an investor’s holdings. Commodities include increased risks, such as political, economic and currency instability, and may not be suitable for all investors.
Any investment should be consistent with your objectives, time frame and risk tolerance.
Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment adviser. Member FINRA/SIPC.
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

Brian Murphy is a Market Strategist and Investment Manager at Frazier Investment Management in Southern Rhode Island. Before joining the Frazier team, he served in the U.S. Navy for 11 years as a carrier jet pilot. Brian has experience managing several different strategies and products, including equity, fixed income, long/short portfolios and options. He believes that managing risk is the key to successful outcomes and works with clients nationwide to achieve their investing goals.
-
Stock Market Today: Stocks Step Back From New Highs
Investors, traders and speculators continue the low-volume summer grind against now-familiar uncertainties.
-
Ask the Editor — Tax Questions on the New Senior Deduction
Ask the Editor In this week's Ask the Editor Q&A, we answer tax questions from readers on the new $6,000 deduction for taxpayers 65 and older.
-
Do You Need Flood Insurance? I'm an Insurance Expert, and Here's Where You Can Get It
Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, so you might need separate flood insurance, which you can get either through FEMA or private companies. Here are the details.
-
I'm an Investment Professional: These Are the Three Money Tips I'm Giving My College Grad
College grads can help set themselves up for financial independence by focusing on emergency savings, opting into a 401(k) at work (if it's offered) and disciplined, long-term investing.
-
New SALT Cap Deduction: Unlock Massive Tax Savings with Non-Grantor Trusts
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act's increase of the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap creates an opportunity to use multiple non-grantor trusts to maximize deductions and enhance estate planning.
-
Know Your ABDs? A Beginner's Guide to Medicare Basics
Medicare is an alphabet soup — and the rules can be just as confusing as the terminology. Conquer the system with this beginner's guide to Parts A, B and D.
-
I'm an Investment Adviser: Why Playing Defense Can Win the Investing Game
Chasing large returns through gold and other alternative investments might be thrilling, but playing defensive 'small ball' with your investments can be a winning formula.
-
Five Big Beautiful Bill Changes and How Wealthy Retirees Can Benefit
Here's how wealthy retirees can plan for the changes in the new tax legislation, including what it means for tax rates, the SALT cap, charitable giving, estate taxes and other deductions and credits.
-
Portfolio Manager Busts Five Myths About International Investing
These common misconceptions lead many investors to overlook international markets, but embracing global diversification can enhance portfolio resilience and unlock long-term growth.
-
I'm a Financial Planner: Here Are Five Smart Moves for DIY Investors
You'll go further as a DIY investor with a solid game plan. Here are five tips to help you put together a strategy you can rely on over the years to come.