Uranium (Nuclear Energy)

[winston]

A good sign for uranium… producer fund URA is up 15% over the past month.

[winston]

A huge shock could be coming to the uranium market by Dave Forest

Things appeared to be stabilizing in the global uranium MARKET the last several months. With prices for the metal settling into a comfortable groove between $36 and $44 per pound.

But that peace could soon be shattered, according to reports from major nuclear player Japan yesterday.

The Japan Times reported that the country’s key nuclear operator Tokyo Electric Power Co. (Tepco) is preparing to sell part of its uranium stockpiles. With documents obtained from the utility suggesting that more than 750 tonnes of uranium could be sold over the coming months.

Tepco is considering the move in order to reduce costs associated with holding ever-growing uranium stockpiles. The company has not consumed any uranium since 2011, shortly after the Fukushima disaster resulted in a complete nuclear shutdown across Japan.

That stoppage has left uranium piling up in storage, as Tepco continues to take delivery of mine supplies purchased under long-term contracts.

The company now holds 17,570 tonnes of uranium — up from 16,805 tonnes prior to Fukushima.

Tepco says it wants to reduce those STOCKS to pre-Fukushima levels. Implying that it could divest up to 765 tonnes.

That’s equivalent to 1.69 million pounds of uranium. Or about 1% of yearly demand worldwide — suggesting that this divestment alone shouldn’t be a showstopper for prices.

But Tepco also said it may take further steps to reduce its uranium STOCKS — including terminating uranium purchase contracts it currently holds with miners globally.

Such a development would represent a significant reduction in demand. And might be enough to cause a drag on the global MARKET.

The firm said it is looking to make all of these moves by the end of the fiscal year, this coming March. Watch for news about stockpile divestments, and purchase contracts cancellations coming soon.


Source: Pierce Points

[winston]

As the World Nuclear Association reports, "there are 434 nuclear reactors operable as of April 1, 2014.

Of greater significance, 72 nuclear reactors are under construction and there are a total of 173 other reactors planned around the world and uranium demand is expected to exceed supply sometime between now at 2020."

Source: The Street

[winston]

Highlights from Cantor Fitzgerald’s 2nd Annual Global Uranium Conference

By Kristen Moran

http://uraniuminvestingnews.com/22261/r ... ameco.html

[winston]

Is Uranium Set to Pick Up?

http://www.equities.com/editors-desk/st ... to-pick-up

[winston]

Is uranium set to power up?

by Proactive Investors

Uranium prices have been low for years with prices currently in the mid-$30 per pound range but the tide is changing as more countries push ahead with plans to increase their nuclear generation capacity.

China is on track to increase its nuclear capacity to 58 gigawatts equivalent by 2020 from the current 23GWe while India has reiterated plans to increase its capacity 14 fold to 63GWe in 2032.

Indeed, Canada's Cameco Corporation (TSX:CCO, NYSE:CCJ) announced in April that it will provide the Department of Atomic Energy of India with 7.1 million pounds of uranium concentrate through to 2020 under a C$350 million (A$367.6 million) deal.

Japan is continuing its march towards restarting its nuclear reactors with its Nuclear Regulation Authority approving the restart of two reactors in Sendai along with partial approval to the Takahama and Ikata 3 reactors.

The British and French governments have announced a nuclear power cooperation agreement, while France continues to derive some 75% of its electricity from nuclear power.

Further support could come from countries such as Saudi Arabia, which is proposing to build 16 reactors by 2030 and the Czech Republic expected to increase the share of nuclear power in its electricity generation mix to between 46% and 58% by 2040 from the current 35%.

In fact, at least one study has estimated that based on extrapolation of regional deployment data, there is potential for worldwide displacement of fossil fuels by nuclear energy for electricity generation within three decades.

Little wonder then that investor money has started moving back into the uranium space.

This is clearly highlighted by China National Nuclear Power Co, the country's second-biggest atomic power operator, receiving 1.69 trillion yuan (A$351.2 billion) in bids for its initial public offering, which sought to raise US$2 billion (A$2.6 billion).

http://www.proactiveinvestors.com.au/co ... 62893.html

[winston]

Are Uranium Stocks About to Break Out?

http://www.fool.ca/2015/06/18/are-urani ... break-out/

[winston]

Uranium-stock fund URA falls to a 52-week low… down 13% in one month.

[winston]

The Nuclear Opportunity on the Other Side of the Uranium Downturn

By Reuben Gregg Brewer

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2 ... the-d.aspx

[winston]

Another bad sign for uranium… sector fund URA falls to an all-time low.