NuScale Power Corp. (NYSE: SMR) is drawing intense attention from both Wall Street analysts and retail traders amid rising interest in nuclear energy as a power source for AI data centers.
Citi lowered its price target on NuScale Power to $7 from $9 on Monday, maintaining a “Sell” rating and signaling a downside of more than 46% from the stock’s previous close.
Northland also cut its price target on the company, moving it to $19 from $21, while keeping an “Outperform” rating, citing dilution concerns stemming from NuScale’s latest at-the-market equity offering.
In February, NuScale Power announced an at-the-market equity offering agreement that allows the company to offer and sell up to $1 billion in Class A common stock.
Despite the bearish calls, the stock carries a 12-month average price target of $16.50, reflecting roughly 24% upside potential based on 17 analyst estimates compiled by Koyfin.
Of those 17 analysts, six rate SMR a “Buy” or higher, nine hold a “Hold” rating, and only two recommend a “Sell” or “Strong Sell” on the shares.
NuScale reported first-quarter revenues that plunged 96% to just $0.57 million, attributed to licensing agreement timing, with a net loss of $0.14 per share largely in line with Wall Street expectations.
Retail sentiment on Stocktwits has remained “bullish” over the past week, with message volumes described as “high” and chatter around the stock surging 650% within a single 24-hour period.
Much of that retail enthusiasm appears linked to rival Oklo Inc. (NYSE: OKLO), whose earnings were expected after hours on Tuesday, with Nano Nuclear Energy Inc. (NNE) also set to report results this week.
One bullish Stocktwits user asked, “Will tomorrow be a continuation day? We’re attached to the hip with $OKLO and earnings are tomorrow,” referencing SMR’s nearly 6% higher close on Monday.
Another user declared the company’s shares were “about to blow,” reflecting the speculative optimism driving retail engagement around the nuclear energy sector.
Despite the enthusiasm, SMR stock has declined more than 18% so far in 2026, underscoring the gap between retail sentiment and the cautious stance adopted by several institutional analysts.
