3 Uranium ETFs That Pack a Nuclear Punch


how to buy uranium

Factors such as company management and the overall stock market can affect these trades. There are many publicly traded companies that mine, process and sell uranium. Futures are a derivative instrument through which traders make leveraged bets on commodity prices. If prices decline, traders must deposit additional margin in order to maintain their positions.

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Those assets have soared in recent years, mind you – URA claimed just over $100 million in AUM during the COVID lows before gobbling up assets in more recent years. It’s a small field – these are three of the most pure-play funds in the space, and they still collectively represent just over $5 billion in assets. But the best ETFs in the uranium space can provide a few different types of exposure to this rocketing commodity. Uranium is primarily used as fuel to power the nuclear fission plants that produce about 10% of the world’s electricity.

Increased Acceptance of Nuclear Energy as a Power Source

how to buy uranium

You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. With many major nations rethinking their approach to clean, affordable energy, nuclear power plants are an obvious option. That’s good news for uranium investors, as more nuclear power means more demand for the radioactive metal.

  1. Uranium investors can also look into slightly more unusual investment options.
  2. With many major nations rethinking their approach to clean, affordable energy, nuclear power plants are an obvious option.
  3. And the North Shore Global Uranium Mining ETF provides broad exposure to mining, exploration, development, production and uranium storage firms worldwide.
  4. Trading in futures requires a high level of sophistication since factors such as storage costs and interest rates affect pricing.
  5. Futures are a derivative instrument through which traders make leveraged bets on commodity prices.
  6. Of all the uranium-focused funds, this one has created the most buzz.

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Investing in uranium allows investors to participate and potentially profit from a perceived global shift toward nuclear power driven in part by concerns about global warming. Uranium can’t be traded like other commodities, but investors can purchase shares in a number of public companies involved in mining, processing and trading the mineral. Exchange-traded funds that invest in baskets of uranium- and nuclear-related companies provide a convenient way to acquire a diversified uranium portfolio. There is also increasing demand for uranium from China and India as both these countries grapple with air pollution in the face of growing electricity demand. China is working to expand its nuclear power capacity, and although it ranks among the top 10 uranium-producing countries, it relies heavily on uranium imports.

Launched in July 2021, the Sprott Physical Uranium Trust quickly made its mark on the space, stoking investor interest and prices for the commodity. This fund has an expense ratio of 0.72 percent and a yearly return of 96.73 percent. The Sprott Uranium Miners ETF includes both uranium producers and explorers for broader exposure.

As a result, the global nuclear power industry ground to a screeching halt – and dragged the uranium industry with it. Although uranium prices are widely believed to be on a long-term upswing, risks of uranium investing remain. CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 74%-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs.

The Horizons Global Uranium Index ETF, created in 2019, was the first pure-play uranium ETF in Canada and provides exposure to uranium industry growth. The fund has an expense ratio of 0.99 percent and a yearly return of 58.9 percent. The Global X Uranium ETF tracks a basket of uranium miners, as well as nuclear component producers. The fund has an expense ratio of 0.69 percent and has achieved a yearly return of 39.33 percent. After years of dormancy, the uranium spot price zoomed past the US$100 per pound level in early 2024 on supply risks and a strong outlook for long-term demand. Although it’s since pulled back, bulls believe it still has room to run.

As a result, uranium has become an increasingly valuable commodity in world markets. The uranium ETF’s top five holdings are rounded out with Canada’s NexGen Energy, as well as Australian production firm Paladin Energy (PALAF). Working with an adviser may come with potential downsides such as payment of fees (which will reduce returns). There are no guarantees that working with an adviser will yield positive returns.

It represents an emissions-free alternative to fossil fuels while also being more reliable than renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. Finally, if you really want to play any rally in spot uranium prices, buying units of the Sprott Physical Uranium Trust Fund is your best bet. As the world economy expands, demand for power should grow, and uranium prices should respond favorably. New cities will require increasing amounts of electricity to power businesses and homes. As more countries seek to curb pollution while meeting energy demand, nuclear power demand could grow. CFDs allow traders to speculate on the price of companies involved in the uranium industry.

You also have the Van Eck Market Vectors Uranium + Nuclear Energy ETF, a market cap-weighted index of uranium players. If you prefer to avoid the perils of stock picking, you can jump into uranium via exchange-traded funds (ETFs). As more countries shift to clean energy, safe, affordable, zero-emission nuclear power looks more appetizing every year. And, as the Russia-Ukraine war has highlighted, modern countries need dependable energy supplies – supplies that, for many, are now threatened or extinguished. The fund is benchmarked to the Solactive Global Uranium Index, which is weighted by market cap.

Exploring Uranium Mining Area with FPV Drone

The price of uranium is likely to be influenced heavily by trends in nuclear power usage for electricity generation. The World Nuclear Association projects a 30% increase in history alternative to nicehash electricity generation from nuclear power by 2030 and a 35% increase by 2035. Futures are an important part of the market as there is currently no exchange-listed, transparent price instrument that consumers and suppliers can use to manage prices and risks. Furthermore, uranium futures provide investors with a marketplace for direct exposure to the price of uranium.

Nuclear power plant meltdowns are incredibly rare, and the risks are declining as technology races to meet the science. But when they do happen, they can be catastrophic – and lead to substantial policy changes. Just look at what’s happening with Bitcoin as its halving event approaches. When the supply of any asset is cut with demand staying the same or increasing, the underlying asset’s price has only one direction to go. The company positions itself as “The First and Only Pure Play Uranium Royalty Company.” By this, it is the first company with a royalty and streaming business model exclusive to the uranium sector.