Uranium mining stocks rose on Thursday after the United States government announced it was considering imposing sanctions on Russia’s state-controlled nuclear energy company, Rosatom, in response to the country’s alleged interference in the 2020 presidential election. The news sent uranium mining stocks higher as investors bet that the potential sanctions would limit Russia’s ability to supply uranium to the U.S. and other countries, creating a supply shortage and pushing up prices.
Uranium is a key component of nuclear energy, and Rosatom is one of the world’s largest uranium producers. The company is also a major supplier of uranium to the U.S., accounting for nearly one-third of the country’s uranium imports in 2019. The U.S. Department of the Treasury said in a statement on Thursday that it was considering sanctions against Rosatom and other Russian entities for “malign activities” related to the 2020 election.
The statement did not mention uranium specifically, but it said the sanctions could include restrictions on the “export, re-export, sale, or supply of goods or technology” to the entities in question. The news sent shares of uranium mining companies higher. Cameco Corporation, the world’s largest publicly-traded uranium producer, gained more than 7% on Thursday, while Uranium Energy Corporation rose more than 5%.
The potential sanctions come as the U.S. is already dealing with a shortage of uranium. The country’s uranium production has been declining for decades, and the U.S. is now heavily reliant on imports to meet its needs. The U.S. Department of Energy has estimated that the country will need to import nearly 90% of its uranium needs by 2025.
The potential sanctions could limit Russia’s ability to supply uranium to the U.S., creating a supply shortage and pushing up prices. Analysts at Bank of America Merrill Lynch said in a note to clients on Thursday that the potential sanctions could have a “significant impact” on uranium prices.
“We believe that if the U.S. were to impose sanctions on Rosatom, it could create a supply shortage in the U.S.,” the analysts wrote. “This could lead to higher uranium prices, which would be positive for uranium miners.” The analysts added that the potential sanctions could also have a “ripple effect” on the global uranium market, as other countries could be reluctant to buy uranium from Russia for fear of being targeted by U.S. sanctions.
Uranium prices have been on the rise in recent months, as demand has been increasing due to the growth of nuclear energy. The potential sanctions could further boost uranium prices, making uranium mining stocks even more attractive to investors. The U.S. government has not yet imposed the sanctions, and it is unclear if or when they will be imposed. But the news has already had an impact on uranium mining stocks, and investors are watching closely to see if the sanctions will be put in place.
