URNM ETF provides exposure to companies engaged in the uranium market, which is undergoing a structural shift. The uranium supply deficit is expected to sharpen, which could provide a multi-decade bull run for uranium prices. My Buy call on the URNM ETF is based on production challenges, underpinned by long-term expansion plans for nuclear power capacity and a solid AI infrastructure push.
Sprott Uranium Miners ETF has doubled since April 2025, outperforming the S&P 500 amid surging nuclear power demand and the AI-driven electricity boom. URNM is rated Hold, as it trades near key resistance at $60; a consolidation is expected after a 119% rally from April lows. The ETF offers pure-play uranium exposure, strong recent momentum, and high non-US weighting but carries high risk, concentration, and a steep expense ratio.
On Monday, July 21, the uranium market experienced a notable event. Traders acquired over 25,000 call options on the Sprott Uranium Miners ETF NYSEARCA: URNM, driving volume up by 873% compared to its daily average (approximately 3,519 options contracts per day).
The URNM ETF provides a convenient way to invest in the uranium/nuclear thematic. Arguments supporting growth of nuclear power are persuasive, but some of the assumptions made by sector bulls may be too optimistic. Digging into URNM's holdings reveals issues that some investors may not be comfortable with.
I remain bullish on uranium ETFs URNM and URNJ, as they offer comprehensive exposure to the uranium mining industry and spot uranium. The global energy transition has highlighted nuclear power's necessity, with supply-demand imbalances and depleted mines driving uranium prices higher. Recent catalysts, including new reactor builds and policy shifts, reinforce the long-term investment case for uranium. Even the World Bank is now on board with funding nuclear energy projects.
Sprott's unexpected move signals a major reawakening of the physical market. This decision could have significant implications for the already tight uranium market. I believe this move reflects investors' confidence in underlying fundamentals and long-term growth potential.
I remain bullish on the Sprott Uranium Miners ETF due to strong industry fundamentals, though I now rate it a buy after a 50+% recent run. URNM and URNJ offer the purest exposure to uranium miners, ETFs like URA and NLR include non-uranium holdings. Recent performance has been relatively good, with URNM up 35% over three years and outperforming uranium spot and contract prices since inception.
Despite the tariff volatility, uranium has been a proverbial rock among the crashing waves. The metal has been exhibiting resilience amid renewed interest from investors backed by solid fundamentals.
URNM, launched in 2019, focuses exclusively on uranium equities and has 36 holdings with significant investments in Cameco, Kazatomprom, and the Sprott Physical Uranium Trust. Despite healthy net inflows and a 38% increase in the share count over the past two years, URNM's AUM has nearly halved due to poor performance and depressed sentiment. The ETF is well-diversified, but naturally has larger allocations to the most liquid uranium equities to support substantial investment flows.
URNM: The Supply-Demand Situation Is Still Attractive For Uranium Equities
The final trades of the day with CNBC's Melissa Lee and the Fast Money traders.
Demand for nuclear energy continues to translate to profits for uranium producers, with Kazakhstan-based Kazatomprom being the latest beneficiary. The company saw its third-quarter pre-tax profit double due to rising uranium spot prices.