NuScale Power Ignites 11% Surge—SMR Rides Nuclear Renaissance Wave

• SMR soars 10.7% to $41.51, nearing its 2023 high of $45.31
• Institutional buying from Lauer Wealth and Fluor's Romanian project progress sparks optimism
• 52-week range: $6.88 to $45.31; 14.9M shares traded today

NuScale Power (SMR) ignited a 10.7% intraday surge, fueled by nuclear infrastructure tailwinds and strategic partnerships. The stock’s rally—driven by RoPower progress and AI-driven energy demand—has it hovering near 2023 highs, signaling a potential breakout for this small modular reactor pioneer.

Nuclear Regulatory Approvals and Data Center Demand Ignite SMR’s Surge
NuScale’s jump stems from its unique positioning in the nuclear renaissance. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) approval of its 77 MWe SMR design in May 2025, coupled with Fluor’s progress on Romania’s 462 MWe plant, are catalysts. Additionally, AI’s insatiable energy appetite—highlighted in analyst reports—has made SMRs critical for data center operators seeking reliable power. Institutional buying, including Lauer Wealth’s 10,625-share Q1 stake, amplifies optimism, while the stock’s 10.7% gain reflects investor confidence in its role as a clean energy disruptor.

Electric Utilities Sector Mixed as SMR Surges Ahead
Bullish Technicals and High-Leverage Call Options Target SMR’s Next Move
Technical Indicators:
• 200-day MA: $22.24 (well below current price)
• RSI: 50.59 (neutral)
• Bollinger Bands: Upper at $42.56 (near current price)
• MACD: 1.16 (below signal line 1.92)

Bulls should watch $42.56 resistance; a close above could trigger a sprint toward $45.31. The 200-day MA’s distance suggests strong upward momentum, while RSI neutrality leaves room for further gains. Aggressive traders may consider:

Option 1: SMR20250718C43 (Strike $43)
• Delta: 0.406 | Theta: -0.334 | Gamma: 0.076 | IV: 104.6%
• Leverage Ratio: 30.02%
• Why: This deep-out-of-the-money call offers 314% upside in a 5% price surge, with high gamma amplifying gains if volatility spikes. Ideal for leveraged bets on SMR’s upward momentum.

Option 2: SMR20250718C42 (Strike $42)
• Delta: 0.479 | Theta: -0.355 | Gamma: 0.082 | IV: 100.7%
• Leverage Ratio: 24.37%
• Why: A safer leveraged play, offering 254% returns if SMR reaches $42. Its gamma sensitivity makes it a strong performer in volatile sessions.

Hook: If SMR breaches $42.56, SMR20250718C43 could double in value by expiry.

Backtest NuScale Power Stock Performance
The strategy of buying the SMR after an intraday surge of at least 11% has shown mixed results in backtesting. While the 3-day win rate is relatively high at 48.65%, the returns over longer periods, such as 10 days and 30 days, are lower at 0.26% and 0.32%, respectively. Additionally, the maximum return during the backtest period was only 0.85%, which suggests that this strategy may not consistently deliver high returns.

SMR’s Nuclear Bet Faces 2030 Milestones—Investors Must Monitor Progress
NuScale’s rally hinges on兑现 its 2030 timeline for Romania’s plant and U.S. regulatory wins. Investors must watch for RoPower’s FID in 2026 and SMR’s cost-efficiency against coal plants. While the stock’s 10.7% gain reflects near-term optimism, long-term viability depends on execution. Bulls should target $45.31 resistance while bears eye $37.5 support. With institutional backing and AI’s energy crunch driving demand, SMR’s story is far from over—watch for NRC updates and Fluor’s progress as key triggers.

Action: Monitor SMR’s July 18 options expiration for volatility spikes; longs hold below $42.56.