Last Update 03 Aug 26
Fair value Decreased 5.15%SMR: Regulatory Lead And ENTRA1 Progress Will Support Future TVA Deployment
The analyst price target for NuScale Power has moved lower from about $15.36 to roughly $14.57, as analysts factor in slower Tennessee Valley Authority related project timing and a continued focus on execution risk for first of a kind small modular reactor deployments.
Analyst Commentary
Recent Street research on NuScale Power shows a mix of optimism about the company’s position in small modular reactors and caution around execution risk and project timing. Analysts are refining their targets and ratings ahead of upcoming earnings, with a close eye on how NuScale converts early interest into firm contracts.
Bullish Takeaways
- Bullish analysts highlight NuScale Power’s regulatory position as the only small modular reactor design with U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Standard Design Approval. They see this as a key differentiator versus peers and a support for credibility in early projects.
- Some research points to policy support and customer interest in nuclear and other alternative energy technologies as a positive backdrop for NuScale’s long term growth opportunity, especially as first of a kind projects move closer to execution.
- Target increases within the sector, even if modest, signal that certain analysts still see room for value creation if NuScale can manage costs, hit project milestones, and secure clearer revenue visibility from its pipeline.
- Use of conventional low enriched uranium fuel is seen as a practical advantage that may reduce technical risk and help NuScale appeal to utilities that prefer established fuel supply chains.
Bearish Takeaways
- Bearish analysts point to slower delivery expectations for Tennessee Valley Authority related projects, which feeds into lower price targets and concern about the timing of cash flows for NuScale Power.
- Several research notes keep neutral or Sell style ratings. These reflect worries that first reactor power is not expected until the early 2030s and that this long timeline adds uncertainty to valuation and capital needs.
- There is ongoing concern that NuScale’s revenues are still tied mainly to services rather than hardware deployment, and that converting agreements into firm deals has taken longer than originally anticipated.
- Execution risk around first of a kind small modular reactor deployments remains a central issue. Analysts flag the need for clear progress on projects with partners such as Tennessee Valley Authority and ENTRA1 before assigning higher valuation multiples.
What’s in the News for NuScale Power
- NuScale Power remains the only U.S. company with Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved small modular reactor technology. This continues to be a key talking point in recent coverage as interest in clean, reliable baseload power grows. Source, "NuScale Power Faces Near-Term Challenges but Holds Strong Long-Term Potential with NRC-Approved SMR Technology".
- The stock has fallen between 75% and 85% from prior highs, with reports linking the move to delayed commercialization timelines, project cancellations, ongoing net losses, financing concerns, and worries about potential shareholder dilution. Sources, "NuScale Power Faces Near-Term Challenges but Holds Strong Long-Term Potential with NRC-Approved SMR Technology" and "NuScale Power Shares Plunge Amid Legal Challenges but Long-Term Nuclear Prospects Remain Promising".
- Legal and governance issues are in focus after class action lawsuits and the ENTRA1 related probe, alongside insider selling by major shareholder Fluor. Recent articles say this has weighed on investor confidence. Sources, "NuScale Power Shares Plunge Amid Legal Challenges but Long-Term Nuclear Prospects Remain Promising" and "NuScale Power Faces Steep Stock Decline Amid Execution Challenges and Market Skepticism".
- Commercial progress is closely watched, with attention on NuScale Power’s planned 462-megawatt plant in Romania and a potential 6-gigawatt deployment with Tennessee Valley Authority. An anticipated power purchase agreement by around the end of 2026 is also in focus, which some reports say could help reduce uncertainty if signed. Sources, "NuScale Power Faces Near-Term Challenges but Holds Strong Long-Term Potential with NRC-Approved SMR Technology" and "NuScale Power Shares Plunge Amid Legal Challenges but Long-Term Nuclear Prospects Remain Promising".
- NuScale Power continues to expand its Energy Exploration centers, most recently opening its 12th E2 Center at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. The center is supported by the Virginia Clean Energy Innovation Bank and Virginia Department of Energy and is intended to support nuclear education, workforce development, and potential future energy technology deployments. Source, Company Key Developments.
Valuation Changes for NuScale Power
- Fair Value: The model fair value moved from $15.36 to $14.57, which is a modest reduction in the implied equity value for NuScale Power.
- Discount Rate: The applied discount rate shifted from 9.43% to 9.04%, which slightly lowers the required return used in the valuation model.
- Revenue Growth: Projected revenue growth adjusted from 175.37% to 169.97%, which still reflects a very large expected expansion from a low base.
- Net Profit Margin: The forecast net profit margin moved from 10.97% to 11.25%, indicating a small improvement in assumed long run profitability.
- Future P/E: The future P/E multiple changed from 199.14x to 193.28x, which is a small downward reset in the valuation multiple applied to NuScale Power.
Key Takeaways
- NuScale's advanced SMR commercialization and partnerships position it well for accelerated revenue growth and immediate deployment in competitive energy markets.
- Efficiency improvements and strategic focus on reducing expenses are expected to enhance profitability and support margin expansion.
- Challenges in securing agreements, funding uncertainties, and potential supply chain issues threaten cash flow, earnings, and profitability, despite project advancements.
Catalysts
About NuScale Power- Provides small modular reactor technology solutions.
- NuScale's involvement in the RoPower 6-module small modular reactor (SMR) power plant in Romania indicates future meaningful revenue and cash flow through its partnership in the Fluor-led Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) Phase 2. This project enhances NuScale's revenue prospects.
- With an NRC-approved SMR technology and the commitment of over $2 billion towards its development and licensing, NuScale is uniquely positioned for immediate commercial deployment compared to competitors focused solely on demonstration plans. This potentially accelerates revenue growth once commercial operations commence.
- NuScale is advancing the manufacturing of long-lead materials for 12 modules, anticipating customer demand, which supports a smooth production ramp-up, reducing delivery times significantly, and potentially boosting future revenue and earnings.
- Significant demand for nuclear energy, especially from AI-driven data centers like Microsoft and Meta, could lead to increased interest and order placements for NuScale’s SMR technology. This could materially increase future revenues as data centers triple their energy use by 2028.
- NuScale's focus on reducing operating expenses, as noted by the substantial year-over-year decrease, could lead to improved net margins. Efficiency improvements transitioning from R&D to commercialization are likely to enhance profitability and support margin expansion.
NuScale Power Future Earnings and Revenue Growth
Assumptions
How have these above catalysts been quantified?
- Analysts are assuming NuScale Power's revenue will grow by 170.0% annually over the next 3 years.
- Analysts are not forecasting that NuScale Power will become profitable in next 3 years. To represent the Analyst Price Target as a Future PE Valuation we will estimate NuScale Power's profit margin will increase from -2066.5% to the average US Electrical industry of 11.3% in 3 years.
- If NuScale Power's profit margin were to converge on the industry average, you could expect earnings to reach $41.3 million (and earnings per share of $0.1) by about August 2029, up from -$385.8 million today.
- In order for the above numbers to justify the price target of the analysts, the company would need to trade at a PE ratio of 193.7x on those 2029 earnings, up from -7.6x today. This future PE is greater than the current PE for the US Electrical industry at 38.4x.
- Analysts expect the number of shares outstanding to grow by 7.0% per year for the next 3 years.
- To value all of this in today's terms, we will use a discount rate of 9.04%, as per the Simply Wall St company report.
Risks
What could happen that would invalidate this narrative?- The complexity and negotiation challenges of securing long-term power purchase agreements with prospective customers could delay revenue generation and impact cash flow projections.
- The U.S. government grant-related uncertainties and the administrative process of securing additional funding highlight a possible risk to future liquidity and investment inflow, potentially affecting financial stability and development timelines.
- Potential bottlenecks in the supply chain or manufacturing process for the small modular reactors, despite current advancements, could lead to increased operational costs and affect net margins.
- The dependence on the successful commercialization of ENTRA1 Energy projects and the potential delays in customer acquisition for NuScale's long-lead modules pose a risk to revenue forecasts and earnings projections.
- The ongoing regulatory approval process with the NRC for the power upgrade and overall project complexity may result in unanticipated expenses or timeline shifts, impacting future earnings and profitability.
Valuation
How have all the factors above been brought together to estimate a fair value?
- The analysts have a consensus price target of $14.57 for NuScale Power based on their expectations of its future earnings growth, profit margins and other risk factors.
- However, there is a degree of disagreement amongst analysts, with the most bullish reporting a price target of $25.0, and the most bearish reporting a price target of just $6.0.
- In order for you to agree with the analysts, you'd need to believe that by 2029, revenues will be $367.3 million, earnings will come to $41.3 million, and it would be trading on a PE ratio of 193.7x, assuming you use a discount rate of 9.0%.
- Given the current share price of $8.42, the analyst price target of $14.57 is 42.2% higher.
- We always encourage you to reach your own conclusions though. So sense check these analyst numbers against your own assumptions and expectations based on your understanding of the business and what you believe is probable.
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