Cheap uranium equity valuations could lead to acquisition

TORONTO, ONTARIO - One of the same reasons Cameco Corp. received an upgrade may be behind future acquisitions for the worldÂ’s largest publicly-traded uranium company.

RBC Capital Markets analyst H. Fraser Phillips upgraded Cameco to “outperform” from “sector perform” due to the recent correction in its share price and the stabilization of spot uranium prices. He also pointed to the expressions from the company’s management during their year-end conference call that lower uranium equity valuations were approaching good value.

“Diversification of production sources through an acquisition would be a positive, though shareholder dilution is a risk,” Mr. Phillips told clients in a note.

As for prices, his analysis shows that the uranium market remains very tight. RBC expects prices will rebound in 2008.

Meanwhile, Cameco appears to be recovering from the contaminated soil-related shutdown of its Port Hope uranium conversion plant, flooding at the giant Cigar Lake deposit, and dealings with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, Mr. Phillips said.

But uncertainty remains, particularly with the expected production date of 2011 at Cigar Lake and negotiations with Russia regarding highly enriched uranium, he added.

While the analyst believes both could lead to volatility, he thinks the downside risk is already reflected in CamecoÂ’s share price. He has a $48 price target on the stock, which represents upside of 36%.

Related News

alberta hydro

Hydro once made up around half of Alberta's power capacity. Why does Alberta have so little now?

CALGARY - When you think about renewable energy sources on the Prairies, your mind may go to the wind farms in southern Alberta, or even the Travers Solar Project, southeast of Calgary.

Most of the conversation around renewable energy in the province is dominated by advancements in solar and wind power. 

But what about Canada's main source of electricity — hydro power?

More than half of Canada's electricity is generated from hydro sources, with 632.2 terawatt-hours produced as of 2019. That makes it the fourth largest installed capacity of hydropower in the world. 

But in Alberta, it's a different story. 

READ MORE
sunrun-tesla-unveil-texas-power-plant

Sunrun and Tesla Unveil Texas Power Plant

READ MORE

wind power

Europe's stunted hydro & nuclear output may hobble recovery drive

READ MORE

renewable power sources

UN: Renewable Energy Ambition in NDCs must Double by 2030

READ MORE

Renewable electricity powered California

Renewable electricity powered California just shy of 100% for the first time in history

READ MORE