NuScale Sinks for Fifth Day After Citi Downgrade and Fluor Stake Uncertainty
Investor caution grows as options positioning turns bearish and doubts linger over customers and funding.
Overview
- Shares were recently down about 12% to $33.60 and on track for a fifth straight loss, extending a multi-day slide.
- Citigroup issued a sell rating with a $37.50 target, citing a potential sale by majority owner Fluor, competitive pressures, extended timelines, and the absence of confirmed customers.
- Reports that Fluor has sold or is looking to sell additional NuScale shares have weighed on sentiment, while Starboard disclosed an almost 5% stake in Fluor.
- Options metrics point to outsized downside positioning, including a 50-day put/call volume ratio of 3.66 and a SOIR of 1.44, the highest in a year.
- Despite the pullback, the stock remains up about 90% in 2025 after hitting a record $57.42 last week, with the company still pre-revenue despite NRC approval and DOE design certification.