Vanguard's Utilities ETF (VPU) is recommended as a defensive investment option during potential market corrections. Unlike the S&P 500, utilities stocks typically outperform during bear markets due to their stable, income-generating nature. VPU holds 68 utility companies and delivered a 1% return during the 2022 market downturn when the S&P 500 fell 25%, offering investors a safer alternative with a 2.71% SEC yield.

Oklo announced an agreement with Meta to develop a 1.2-gigawatt nuclear facility in south central Ohio to power Meta's data centers. Pre-construction is scheduled for 2027 with general construction beginning in late 2028 or 2029, with the first phase expected online around 2030. However, the unproven small modular reactor (SMR) technology makes a 2030 timeline unlikely, with a later date being more plausible. Oklo's stock is down 45% this year as investors remain cautious about the company's business model and SMR viability.

Constellation Energy has secured 920 megawatts of new power purchase agreements with major clients like Microsoft, Comcast, and Bank of America to support AI data center growth. However, the stock has declined 51% from its 52-week high due to delayed cash flows (2027-2032), significant debt from the $26.6 billion Calpine acquisition, and regulatory approval timelines. Despite near-term headwinds, the company's stable utility revenue and long-term AI power demand position it for future growth.

Constellation Energy raised its full-year adjusted operating earnings guidance by $0.50 per share to $11.50-$12.50 after reporting a 33% year-over-year increase in Q2 adjusted operating earnings. The company's strong performance is driven by its Calpine acquisition, which added 22 GW of power generation capacity, and major long-term power purchase agreements with hyperscalers like Microsoft and Meta. With 55 GW total capacity and the largest U.S. nuclear fleet, Constellation is positioned to benefit from surging energy demand from data centers.

As AI data centers face massive electricity demands, two energy companies are positioned to benefit: Constellation Energy, which operates the largest U.S. nuclear fleet and signed a 20-year power deal with Microsoft, and GE Vernova, which supplies power generation and distribution hardware with a $176 billion backlog.

AI data centers powered by Nvidia GPUs require 100-300 kW per rack, creating massive power demands that exceed traditional utility capacity. This bottleneck is driving capital to energy companies that can deliver reliable power through long-term agreements, off-grid solutions, and emerging technologies like small modular reactors and battery storage systems.

Major tech companies (Google, Amazon, Meta) are significantly increasing AI infrastructure spending, which benefits not just chip makers like Nvidia, but also less obvious beneficiaries in power generation and uranium supply. Cameco, a uranium provider for nuclear power plants, is positioned to win long-term as AI data centers increasingly rely on nuclear power, though benefits may take years to materialize as new nuclear facilities are built.

Nuclear power is experiencing a global renaissance driven by AI data center demand and rising energy needs. Constellation Energy and Cameco Corporation are highlighted as top plays in the nuclear sector—Constellation as a major nuclear power provider with long-term corporate agreements, and Cameco as a leading uranium supplier with integrated nuclear services through Westinghouse ownership.

VanEck's NLR nuclear-focused ETF and First Trust's EMLP energy infrastructure fund offer different approaches to energy sector investing. NLR delivers higher 5-year returns (148% growth on $1,000) with lower fees (0.52%), but experiences greater volatility. EMLP provides more stable returns with half the volatility and MLP tax advantages, though with higher expense ratio (0.95%) and lower growth. The choice depends on investor risk tolerance and whether they prefer nuclear energy exposure or traditional pipeline/utility infrastructure.

Constellation Energy secured 920 megawatts of long-term power purchase agreements in Q2, including a major 176 MW contract with Walmart spanning two 15-year terms. The company also made significant progress on its Microsoft deal with NRC approval for the Crane Clean Energy Center. Constellation projects 20% annualized earnings growth through 2029, with additional upside from future contracts.

AI infrastructure is creating unprecedented electricity demand, with data centers requiring 20-100 kW per rack compared to traditional 5-10 kW. Utility companies with nuclear and renewable assets in key regions are positioned as hidden winners. Three stocks to watch are Constellation Energy (nuclear-focused with Microsoft and Meta deals), Vistra (diverse power portfolio with major hyperscaler partnerships), and NextEra Energy (regulated utility with large renewable pipeline and battery storage capabilities).

President Trump's nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia signals growing global demand for nuclear energy and uranium. The agreement demonstrates that even oil-rich nations are expanding nuclear capacity, which could benefit uranium miners and nuclear energy companies. Two ETFs—Global X Uranium ETF and VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF—offer investors exposure to this trend, with both delivering strong recent returns despite long-term volatility.