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NuScale vs. Oklo vs. GE Vernova: Ranking 3 Nuclear Stocks By Backlog, Not Hype.

2026-10-03 20:05 •Ryan Vanzo •The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective •Technology•AI•Semiconductors•Equities •OKLO•SMR•GEV•BAC•BACPB•BACPE•BACPK•BACPL•BACPM•BACPN•BACPO•BACPP•BACPQ•BACPS•BMLPG•BMLPH•BMLPJ•BMLPL•MERPK

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Ranking SMR Stocks by Backlog Quality, Not Hype

Small modular reactors are promising, but backlog details reveal who’s truly positioned for success.

Small modular reactors (SMRs) promise a new wave of clean energy, particularly for power-hungry AI data centers. Oklo grabs attention with the largest backlog, but much of it is nonbinding and could evaporate if key clients walk away. NuScale sticks to the tried-and-true utility market, offering steady potential but also heavy dependence on a single big customer, leaving it vulnerable to cancellations. GE Vernova plays it safest with real projects already under construction and a backlog tied to late-stage execution. However, its SMR business is still tiny, less than 3% of total sales, limiting near-term upside. For South African investors, the local linkage is indirect—radical shifts in energy tech could eventually reshape demand for USD/ZAR through changes in commodity markets and foreign investment patterns. Until SMR projects gain traction on the ground, caution prevails. This isn’t a quick trade but a long haul bet on where energy goes next. this is just our opinion and not financial advice

How I would invest

Watch SMR companies for long-term potential but avoid Oklo and NuScale for now due to backlog risks; GE Vernova is the safer play but too small in SMRs to back heavily. Prefer holding cash or rand-hedged instruments until clarity improves.

What I would watch
  • USD/ZAR
  • GE Vernova (GEV)
What could go wrong
  • Backlog cancellations from key clients
  • Slow regulatory approvals and project delays
How strongly I feel

6/10

Three publicly traded small modular reactor (SMR) companies are positioned to benefit from AI data center power demands. Oklo has the largest backlog (18.1 GW) but much is nonbinding; NuScale offers traditional utility-focused approach with 6-7 GW backlog concentrated with one customer; GE Vernova has the highest quality backlog with active construction projects but weakest SMR exposure at under 3% of sales.

Our take is based on reporting first published by The Motley Fool.

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