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WebsiteDemand for AI Data Centers Spurs Buying in SMR Stocks
Next-generation small modular reactor (SMR) developer Oklo, Inc. (OKLO) saw its shares close at $95.70 on June 6 in New York—up 6.97% from the previous day. Its market capitalization jumped by about $1.12 billion (₩1.57 trillion) in a single session to exceed $14.9 billion (₩20.9 trillion). Trading volume also surged, confirming strong short-term momentum.
SEC Filings and Social Media Highlight “AI” and “Data Center Power”
In recent SEC filings, executive statements and social media posts, two keywords keep recurring: AI and data center power supply. Oklo, Inc. describes itself in filings as a “commercially focused, vertically integrated nuclear energy company” and positions the exploding power needs driven by AI computing as its core growth opportunity. Collaborations with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Idaho National Laboratory, along with progress on a fuel-recycling microreactor design, have fueled investor enthusiasm.
## “Baseload Power for the AI Era” Buzz Fuels Reversal Rally
Oklo faced a setback when the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) initially rejected its first license application. However, since then, design enhancements and fuel-processing approvals have reshaped the narrative. As major tech firms unveil plans to power AI data centers with nuclear energy, the market is revaluing Oklo as one of the few viable candidates to supply baseload power in the AI era. This optimism has driven both a sharp share-price rally and a reversal of earlier declines.
Volatility Ahead: Regulatory Review and Commercialization Timeline Are Key Variables
Despite strong themes, significant regulatory reviews and capital-intensive facility deployments lie ahead before commercial reactors can come online. Much of the current share price reflects a “story premium.” Future stock performance may swing dramatically based on:
- Outcomes of additional NRC licensing reviews
- Finalization of long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with large power generators and data center operators
Analysts agree that while the AI + clean energy narrative supports substantial medium- to long-term potential, investors must manage volatility given ongoing technical, regulatory and financing risks.
