Skip to navigationSkip to main contentSkip to right columnADVERTISEMENTJames Halley, The Motley FoolTue, June 30, 2026 at 7:05 PM GMT+2 5 min readCentrus Energy (NYSE: LEU) has been around for decades but began attracting more investor attention in 2019, when it started contracting with the U.S. Department of Energy to enrich uranium and supply high-assay, low-enriched uranium (HALEU) for next-generation reactors. In 2025, that attention elevated further, along with the nuclear industry more broadly, as HALEU was seen as a way to help meet the growing energy needs of data centers across the country. Centrus' share prices spiked from $54 in April 2025 to an all-time high of $464.25 by October 2025. The nuclear stock was riding high at that time on news that it had contracted with the National Nuclear Security Administration to develop low-enrichment uranium for government use.But since hitting that all-time high, Centrus' stock is trading down about 63%. The reasons for the drop include a mixed first-quarter earnings report, fluctuating spot uranium prices, and concerns about production once a ban on Russian LEU imports takes effect in 2028.Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »The big price drop has created a potential buy-the-dip situation for investors willing to think long-term about Centrus. Here are three reasons to like the stock's long-term potential.Image source: Getty Images.1. Centrus has an effective HALEU monopoly in the U.S.Centrus is the only U.S.-licensed producer of HALEU. That's a huge moat, especially as demand for advanced reactor fuel is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 10.8% through 2033, according to a report by DataIntelo. Centrus management estimates the HALEU market opportunity could reach $8 billion annually by 2035.The growth of the HALEU market is driven primarily by the shift toward advanced nuclear technologies, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Generation IV designs. Unlike traditional reactors, these next-generation plants rely on HALEU's higher enrichment levels to achieve longer operational cycles, better fuel efficiency, and enhanced safety.As governments and private industries push to decarbonize the power grid and meet net-zero goals by 2050, HALEU has become essential for deploying compact, flexible, and reliable energy systems of the future.2. Centrus' Q1 was mixed, but it was still a solid quarterCentrus reported its first-quarter earnings on May 5, with earnings per share (EPS) coming in at $0.45, down from the $1.60 EPS it reported the prior year and missing estimates. However, it posted a non-GAAP adjusted EPS of $1.05, crushing Wall Street analyst consensus estimates of $0.33. GAAP earnings were down due to heavy spending on plant expansion, management said.Terms and Privacy PolicyEU DSA contactPrivacy & Cookie SettingsMore Info