distracted

Investors who bought shares of Oklo (OKLO 12.73%) before its stock surged 50% in mid-September were probably thrilled when share prices of the nuclear reactor start-up hit $142 on Sept. 23.

They — along with anyone who jumped in on Sept. 23 — probably weren’t feeling quite so festive at the end of that week. The company’s shares crashed below $111 on Sept. 26. They’ve risen a bit since then, but it’s fair to ask whether the company’s stock price slump is here to stay.

Here’s why investors shouldn’t worry about the recent slump, even if the stock continues to be volatile.

Image source: Getty Images.

It’s a hard-knock life

Startups often experience big swings in share price, and Oklo is one of the “start-uppiest” start-ups you’ll find in the nuclear energy space.

Founded in 2013 by two MIT graduate students, Oklo went public via a merger with one of artificial intelligence (AI) guru Sam Altman’s special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) in May 2024. It has big plans for a small modular nuclear reactor (SMR), but it hasn’t actually built even a working prototype of one, let alone made money from one. So it’s a very speculative stock, and not a good choice for risk-averse investors.

Given all the question marks surrounding Oklo’s potential as an investment, it’s unsurprising that the stock has seen some big swings in valuation, including the recent dip.

Betting on the tech

In addition to being a start-up operating in a relatively new and untested technology sector, Oklo’s proposed SMR differs from the “standard” SMR design.

Oklo is building a sodium-cooled “fast reactor” SMR, which is a niche type of reactor, even for the SMR space. Full-size fast reactors have been shown to be more efficient than the traditional water-cooled reactors used in most nuclear plants, and Oklo believes that these benefits could carry over to the SMR versions. In theory, they could be powered using spent fuel from existing reactors instead of fresh enriched uranium fuel, which would be an added benefit.

But none of this has yet been borne out under real-world conditions. Until it is, expect more volatility.

Small news, big impact

One reason these factors are likely to cause such wild swings in Oklo’s stock is that there’s not a lot to go on as far as company valuation. It’s too early for traditional valuation metrics like price-to-sales or price-to-earnings ratios. There’s not a lot the company can report about operational progress yet. That means minor news reports and rumors are all investors have to go on in many cases. As speculators pile in and out of the stock based on these tidbits of information, the share price swings wildly.

Take, for example, the news that Oklo held a groundbreaking ceremony for its first-ever Aurora Powerhouse SMR in mid-September. News reports about that groundbreaking caused the stock to abruptly skyrocket. But the groundbreaking was hardly a secret: The company had been saying for months it was expected to occur in the third quarter of 2025 (which it did). It had completed site characterization in May and selected a builder in July. The project is part of a government program with a proposed end date of July 2026. Anyone could have predicted that a groundbreaking was imminent. But news that it happened sent the stock soaring:

Similarly, the drop in share price since the groundbreaking is likely caused by investors taking profits after a massive stock run-up. The important thing to remember is that there seems to be plenty of upside for Oklo’s stock from here, if it can actually deliver on its technology. If you’re a risk-tolerant investor looking for a nuclear energy stock that could soar, it may be a good time to consider buying the dip.

Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway left ITV viewers distracted on Friday

Good Morning Britain star Kate Garraway left fans distracted as they all said the same thing on Friday (July 4).

On today’s episode of the popular ITV programme, Kate and her co-host Rob Rinder delivered the latest news from across the UK and globally.

They provided updates from Liverpool following the tragic car crash that claimed the lives of the club’s striker, Diogo Jota, and his younger brother. They also discussed the Home Office’s new initiative aimed at safeguarding town centres from crime and anti-social behaviour.

Kate and Rob also chatted with Sophie Ellis-Bextor about her newest album, and previewed the Oasis comeback tour, which kicks off in Cardiff tonight, reports the Manchester Evening News.

However, several viewers found themselves distracted at the beginning of the show when they noticed that Kate was donning the same outfit that featured in a recent ITV fashion segment.

On yesterday’s (July 3) This Morning, fashion guru Gok Wan hosted a makeover reveal alongside presenters Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard.

They introduced Stephanie to the catwalk, who had begun job hunting after being self-employed. She was also preparing for her stepdaughter’s wedding, and was hoping to find the perfect ensemble for the event.

Gok styled Stephanie in a matching blazer and trousers from Monsoon, adorned with a vibrant leafy print.

The £90 blazer and £80 trousers were complemented with a £49.99 Mango clutch bag, and £22 sandals from River Island.

“It’s got to be about comfort, you’re going off to a wedding. You’re going to be doing everything from dancing, sitting, standing… A pyjama suit is very on trend at the moment,” Gok explained.

Kate’s outfit on GMB caught viewers’ attention this morning, sparking a flurry of social media posts as ITV fans noticed the connection.

One viewer pointed out on X (formerly Twitter): “Kate’s outfit is the one Gok dressed one of his makeover models in on This Morning yesterday!”

Another chimed in: “I’m sure Kate’s outfit was used on a makeover on #ThisMorning the other day?”

A third complimented: “That outfit really suits Kate. It’s the one from This Morning’s fashion segment yesterday.”

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV1 and ITVX at 6am