1. Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST)
Number of Billionaire Holders: 25
Topping our list of the Best Nuclear Energy Stocks to Buy Now is Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST), the largest competitive power generator in the US with a capacity of approximately 41,000 MW, powered by a diverse portfolio that includes natural gas, coal, nuclear, solar, and battery energy storage facilities.
Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) reported an EPS of $2.41 in Q4 2024, in line with market expectations. However, the company’s revenue of $4.04 billion managed to top estimates by $124 million, besides being up by 31.16%. Vistra’s adjusted core profit from continuing operations during the quarter rose to $1.99 billion, compared to $965 million the previous year, as strong electricity demand from AI data centers helped boost its earnings. The company also maintains a strong balance sheet, generating an operating cash flow of over $4.56 billion in 2024 and ending the year with $1.2 billion in cash on hand. Moreover, VST has committed to a minimum of $2.25 billion in share buybacks through 2025, with an additional $1 billion targeted.
Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) started 2024 with ‘only’ 2.4 GW of nuclear generation capacity but significantly added to that figure with the completion of a deal to acquire Energy Harbor in March. The deal added 4 GW of nuclear generation capacity to the company’s portfolio, making it the owner of the second-largest competitive nuclear fleet in the US.
ClearBridge Investments stated the following regarding Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) in its Q1 2025 investor letter:
“Volatility also created entry points to motivate our first purchase in the utility sector, Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST), as well as reduce our underweight to the consumer discretionary sector with the addition of CAVA Group. Vistra is the largest competitive power generator in the U.S. with a 41 GW fleet of power plants diversified by geography and fuel sources. Long-term fundamentals of the deregulated power markets remain constructive with Vistra well positioned to benefit from continued tightening in its primary PJM (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland Interconnection) and ERCOT (Texas) markets. Pending regulatory clarity could also pave the way for additional power purchase agreements with hyperscalers and act as a positive catalyst for independent power producer stocks. These agreements, in combination with federal subsidies for nuclear plants, have the potential to improve visibility and lower earnings variability across the industry.”
Overall, Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) ranks first on our list of the best nuclear energy stocks to buy according to billionaires. While we acknowledge the potential of VST to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter time frame. There is an AI stock that went up since the beginning of 2025, while popular AI stocks lost around 25%. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than VST but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.
READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires.
Disclosure: None. Insider Monkey focuses on uncovering the best investment ideas of hedge funds and insiders. Please subscribe to our free daily e-newsletter to get the latest investment ideas from hedge funds’ investor letters by entering your email address below.
