US Nuclear and Defense Stocks Lose $2 Billion in Market Value in One Day

BWX Technologies Inc. (NYSE: BWXT), a U.S. defense and nuclear energy firm, saw its shares tumble 9.9% intraday on the 4th, falling to $190.10 (about KRW 280,000). Volume surged to 1.12 million shares, above the norm, and market capitalization slipped to roughly $17.3 billion (around KRW 25 trillion), erasing about $1.5 billion (KRW 2.3 trillion) in a single day.

The company unveiled a new digital center yesterday aimed at boosting productivity and quality, and in late January it announced plans to build a pilot enrichment plant for defense-grade uranium at Oak Ridge, Tennessee, under the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). Over the past year, the stock has more than doubled, and some brokerages have lowered their ratings from “strong buy” to “hold,” citing valuation concerns. Analysts say the pullback also reflects a short-term correction after rapid gains.

Headquartered in Lynchburg, Virginia, BWX Technologies specializes in nuclear solutions and is a key defense supplier, providing reactor components and nuclear fuel for the U.S. Navy’s Columbia- and Virginia-class submarines and Ford-class aircraft carriers. As of the third quarter of 2025, the company reported annual revenues in the $3 billion range and held a backlog of $7.4 billion (approximately KRW 10 trillion), making it a leading beneficiary of U.S. defense and nuclear infrastructure modernization.