This Canadian Stock Could Rule Them All in 2026

Cameco is riding the nuclear comeback with uranium leverage and a Westinghouse catalyst that could define 2026.

Key Points
  • Cameco gives direct exposure to tight uranium supply and rising nuclear demand from utilities, governments, and data centres.
  • The stock has surged, but sentiment can swing fast, so expect volatility even if fundamentals hold.
  • Recent results were noisy, yet adjusted metrics and Westinghouse’s long-run reactor pipeline support the 2026 thesis.

If a Canadian stock can “rule them all” in 2026, it usually sits at the intersection of a powerful theme and real-world numbers. Investors should look for three things: demand that keeps getting bigger, supply that can’t ramp fast enough, and a company that owns hard-to-replace assets. You also want the Canadian stock to already show momentum, but not so much hype that one weak quarter wrecks the story. Most of all, you want a business that can turn the theme into cash, not just headlines. So let’s look at one knocking these all down.

nuclear power plant

Source: Getty Images

CCO

Cameco (TSX: CCO) sits right in the middle of the nuclear comeback. It produces uranium, runs fuel services, and it also owns a major stake in Westinghouse. This gives it exposure beyond mining into reactors and long-life services. That matters as the nuclear theme has moved past “maybe someday.” Utilities, governments, and data-centre demand keep pushing for reliable base load power, and uranium supply still looks tight.

The Canadian stock has acted like the market believes it. Over the past month, shares are up about 33% at writing, and the past-year return sits around the 108%! That kind of move can feel unreal, but it also tells you something simple. Investors have started paying up for uranium leverage and the Westinghouse angle at the same time.

Even with that run, Cameco still trades like a “story stock” in the sense that sentiment swings quickly. A fast move can pull in momentum buyers, and that can make pullbacks sharper than people expect. It also means you have to separate the long-term thesis from the quarter-to-quarter noise. When the uranium tape turns moody, Cameco can wobble, even if the fundamentals stay intact. That’s why it’s important to look at the numbers behind the noise.

Into earnings

The latest earnings print shows both the opportunity and the messiness. In the third quarter of 2025, Cameco posted revenue of $615 million, down 15% year over year, and it reported a small net loss attributable to equity holders of $7 million, or down $0.02 per share. That headline can scare people, but the Canadian stock also reported adjusted net earnings of $32 million and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of $310 million. This is the cleaner view management points to for operations.

The segment details explain why the market keeps leaning in. In uranium, third-quarter earnings before taxes came in at $172 million and adjusted EBITDA hit $220 million, even though sales volumes ran lower than the year before. In short, Cameco can still earn well when it delivers less volume, as pricing and contract structure matter a lot in this business. It also keeps a flexible supply toolkit, blending production, inventory, product loans, and purchases to meet commitments.

Then there’s Westinghouse, which is a big reason people keep talking about 2026. In Q3 2025, Westinghouse reported a net loss of $32 million on its Cameco share, but Cameco’s share of Westinghouse adjusted EBITDA still came in at $124 million. More importantly, Cameco and Brookfield’s partnership with the U.S. government aims to accelerate Westinghouse reactor deployment with an aggregate investment value of at least US$80 billion. That is not a short-term revenue flip, but it can build a long runway of services, fuel demand, and “years not quarters” visibility.

Bottom line

Cameco looks like a solid “rule them all” candidate for 2026 as it gives investors multiple ways to win from the nuclear surge. Uranium fundamentals look supportive into 2026 as supply stays constrained and demand grows, and Cameco also gets a second engine through Westinghouse as governments lean into new build and energy security. The Canadian stock can absolutely swing, and the valuation can bite if sentiment cools. Yet as a single-name way to ride a global nuclear buildout, Cameco has a case that feels bigger than a one-year trade.

Fool contributor Amy Legate-Wolfe has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Cameco. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

More on Energy Stocks

Board Game, Chess, Chess Board, Chess Piece, Hand
Energy Stocks

Cenovus Energy Plans to Buy Athabasca Oil for $5.7 Billion: Is the Stock a Steal Before the Deal?

Cenovus is paying $5.7 billion for Athabasca Oil. Here is what the deal means for ATH stock and whether it…

Read more »

electrical cord plugs into wall socket for more energy
Energy Stocks

Better Stock to Buy Now: Fortis vs. Hydro One

Let’s compare Fortis and Hydro One to determine which utility stock offers the more compelling investment opportunity amid ongoing macroeconomic…

Read more »

Colored pins on calendar showing a month
Energy Stocks

Alberta Will Detail New Oil Royalty Incentives in November: This Monthly-Paying Oil Stock is Ready

Whitecap’s dividend has a reported cash cushion, while Alberta’s planned royalty changes still need project-level scrutiny.

Read more »

data center server racks glow with light
Energy Stocks

I’m Betting on Hammond Power After a 45% Sales Jump

Hammond Power will continue to benefit from rising investment in AI data centres, electrification, and power infrastructure.

Read more »

worry concern
Energy Stocks

Cenovus Just Paid $5.7 Billion for Oil Sands Growth: Should Your TFSA Follow?

Cenovus’s proposed oil sands purchase creates a specific debt hurdle for investors considering the stock in a TFSA.

Read more »

Energy Stocks

Why Canadians Love Dividend Stocks (and What Beginners Should Know)

Canadian stocks like Enbridge are prime examples of the many benefits of dividend stocks, such as reliability and income.

Read more »

An engineer works at a hydroelectric power station, which creates renewable energy.
Energy Stocks

Brazil’s Election Has Investors Watching: This TSX Stock Offers a Different Way In

Brookfield Renewable gives Canadian investors Brazilian power exposure without making Brazil the entire investment.

Read more »

money goes up and down in balance
Energy Stocks

Reinvest or Take the Cash? How to Decide on Your Dividends

Enbridge (TSX:ENB) stock has a high yield. Should you re-invest or take the cash?

Read more »