Cameco Corp. (TSX:CCO) Stock Explodes After Weak Earnings: What’s Going on Here?

Cameco Corp. (TSX:CCO)(NYSE:CCJ) announced a huge layoff on weak uranium markets, but that’s sending the stock higher.

| More on:

Cameco Corp. (TSX:CCO)(NYSE:CCJ) stock opened nearly 10% higher this morning. The reason? The uranium miner just reported a huge loss for its second quarter and reiterated that the uranium markets aren’t showing any signs of a recovery yet.

Yes, you read that right. If you look at Cameco’s Q2 numbers, you’d have to rub your eyes to believe the stock actually soared post the earnings release.

The truth is, the market has found a silver lining within the report that would otherwise make investors jittery at first glance. I’ll tell you what that is, but first, here’s what Cameco’s Q2 numbers looked like:

  • Revenue down 29% to $333 million
  • Gross profit down 72% to $26 million
  • Net loss shot up $76 million from only $2 million in Q2 2017
  • Loss per share of $0.19 versus no profit, no loss in the year-ago quarter.

What’s there to like here?

Worse yet, Cameco has decided to suspend operations at its key mine, McArthur River/Key Lake, for an “indeterminate” period and will permanently lay off 550 workers. Any investor would consider a company shutting key operations and laying off workers as a red flag. That, however, isn’t what the market sees in Cameco’s case.

The curious case of Cameco

Cameco first announced plans to temporarily suspend operations at McArthur River/Key Lake to cut production late last year. Investors cheered the move, believing that it will ease the supply glut in the uranium market, lift uranium prices, and pave the way for a much-awaited recovery for uranium producers like Cameco.

That, however, hasn’t happened yet. Cameco just said it hasn’t seen any improvement in the uranium market and is therefore extending suspension of its key mine indefinitely. The market, nonetheless, believes this is hugely positive, as a deeper production cut could speed up the industry’s revival.

Not surprisingly, nearly every publicly listed uranium stock surged after Cameco’s just-released earnings report.

Should you buy or sell Cameco now?

Any recovery will take a long time to play out. Even if uranium production declines, buyers (primarily nuclear power reactors) need to return to drive demand. With the world divided between the pros and cons of nuclear reactors after the Fukushima Daiichi disaster in 2011, it won’t be easy.

That said, you must appreciate Cameco’s near-term outlook: it just upgraded its full-year revenue guidance by a good 8% to $1.89-2.14 million thanks to higher expected sales volumes against deliveries under its running contracts.

The best part: Cameco expects its fiscal 2018 cash from operations to be 20-30% higher from last year. That means the stock still looks cheap today, but with Cameco’s deliverable volumes set to drop substantially next year, and no new contracts in sight yet, investors might want to tune down their expectations and look elsewhere for bigger returns.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Neha Chamaria has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

More on Metals and Mining Stocks

nugget gold
Metals and Mining Stocks

Bullish on Precious Metals? These Are Promising Gold Investments

Consider Agnico Eagle Mines (TSX:AEM) and another top mining stock to play the run in gold into 2025.

Read more »

Paper Canadian currency of various denominations
Metals and Mining Stocks

This Billionaire Is Selling Micron and Picking up This TSX Stock

Prem Watsa may have sold some Micron, but he's putting the funds towards something with even more growth potential.

Read more »

nugget gold
Metals and Mining Stocks

Must-Watch Gold Stocks Before Year-End

Gold prices have been going up for the better part of the year, and it is highly probable that this…

Read more »

construction workers talk on the job site
Metals and Mining Stocks

2 No-Brainer Mining Stocks to Buy With $200 Right Now

You can buy these top Canadian mining stocks with just a $200 investment right now to start your long-term wealth…

Read more »

Concept of multiple streams of income
Stocks for Beginners

Lock Up This 9.2% Dividend Yield From a Top Royalty Stock

Royalty stocks have a strong advantage when it comes to creating passive income for investors. But this one has the…

Read more »

Safety helmets and gloves hang from a rack on a mining site.
Metals and Mining Stocks

Is First Quantum Minerals Stock a Good Buy Right Now?

First Quantum is a TSX stock that trades 61% below all-time highs. However, the mining stock still trades at a…

Read more »

nugget gold
Metals and Mining Stocks

The Best Gold Stock to Invest $1,000 in Right Now

Here are two of the best Canadian gold stocks that can yield some eye-popping returns in the long run.

Read more »

nugget gold
Stocks for Beginners

The Ultimate Mining Stock to Buy With $1,000 Right Now

This mining stock just saw a drop, but don't let that keep you from diving in. This miner is due…

Read more »