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Nuclear is the hottest sector of the energy market right now, and perhaps no nuclear company is hotter than Oklo (OKLO +5.53%). The start-up is trying to develop small modular reactors (SMRs) to power an anticipated construction boom of new artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. Demand for electricity is surging in the U.S., partially driven by the massive energy needs of AI. A lot of that electricity powers massive cooling systems that ensure the servers and processors handling the AI computations don't overheat. Oklo's proposed solution is to co-locate its SMRs -- which also require advanced cooling systems -- in the same facility as a data center, meaning you'd only need one cooling system and not two, plus you'd have an onsite power source to reduce strain on the electric grid. Plenty of investors have warmed to this idea, and despite a lack of revenue, the company now sports a $16.6 billion valuation. If you'd invested $1,000 one year ago... Oklo's stock has had an incredible run, and it's up about 419% over the past year, smashing the 13.5% return of the S&P 500 index: That means that $1,000 invested in Oklo stock one year ago would be worth $5,189 today. The same amount invested in the S&P 500 would only be worth $1,135. And with Oklo's stock currently down 35% from its October high, there may be plenty more growth ahead for this outperformer.
