Why Cameco Stock Popped Today
Cameco (CCJ) shares rose 3.9% amid speculation over multiple factors. Key reasons include Fed Chair Jerome Powell's hint at potential interest rate cuts due to a weakening economy, analysts from Raymond James and National Bank Financial raising price targets to CA$120 and CA$115 respectively, and a recent uptick in uranium prices. However, despite the stock's rise, concerns about its high valuation persist, with a price-to-earnings ratio of 80.
Shares of Cameco (CCJ 4.97%), a Canadian uranium mining company, jumped 3.9% through noon ET on Friday -- and the reason is anybody's guess.
That's not to say there's no reason for Cameco stock to be up today. Rather, there are multiple reasons -- and you can take your pick which one you favor.
Image source: Getty Images.
Reason 1: The Fed
The biggest reason, and the reason why most stocks are going up today, is glaringly obvious. Out in Wyoming, at the Jackson Hole Federal Reserve conference, Fed Chair Jerome Powell just told investors that because of a weakening economic outlook and tepid job growth, the Fed might decide to lower interest rates in September as investors, and President Donald Trump, have been asking it to do.
Interest rate hikes are generally considered good for stocks and, well, Cameco is a stock.
Reason 2: Wall Street
Two different analysts have raised their price targets for Cameco stock over the past two days. According to StreetInsider.com, Raymond James hiked Cameco stock to 120 Canadian dollars yesterday, and today, National Bank Financial hiked it to CA$115.
Neither bank gave us much of an explanation for hiking, but I think we can guess.
Reason 3: Uranium price
Uranium prices that plummeted in late June have been gradually rising ever since, and are currently up $3 per pound from their July 18 low. This is of course good news for a uranium stock like Cameco.
Is Cameco stock a buy?
Still, both prices and demand have to grow a lot to make this stock a buy. Cameco shares currently cost some 47 times trailing free cash flow, and their price-to-earnings ratio is an astounding 80.
To me, that sounds kind of expensive, but apparently I'm in the minority on that view today.
