ASX uranium shares like Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) are off to the races in these first two trading days of 2026.
During the Monday lunch hour, the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) is just about flat.
Paladin Energy shares, meanwhile, are surging 8.2%, trading for $10.96 apiece.
If we add in Friday's 5.6% gains, then the Paladin Energy share price has already gained 14.3% in this brand-new year. And this is a $5 billion company we're talking about.
Here's how some of the other top ASX uranium shares are performing:
- Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) shares are up 3.6% today and up 10.7% since 31 December
- Deep Yellow Ltd (ASX: DYL) shares are up 5.4% today and up 11.4% in 2026
- Lotus Resources Ltd (ASX: LOT) shares are up 9.2% today and up 15.5% this year
- Bannerman Energy Ltd (ASX: BMN) shares are up 6.7% today and up 10.2% since 31 December
Here's what's sending the Aussie uranium miners soaring.
ASX uranium shares enjoying growing global demand
While Australia continues to drag its heels on developing nuclear energy stations for reliable baseload power, much of the rest of the world is ploughing ahead.
In November, for example, the United States reported its intentions to buy up to 10 new large scale nuclear reactors.
This latest surge in ASX uranium shares like Paladin Energy and Deep Yellow comes after investors learned that Duke Energy Corp (NYSE: DUK) had filed an early site permit application to build a new nuclear reactor in the US state of North Carolina.
Duke Energy this reflects its "strategic, ongoing commitment to thoroughly evaluate new nuclear generation options" to meet its customers increasing energy demand while reducing costs and risks.
Commenting on the application, Duke Energy North Carolina president Kendal Bowman said:
Nuclear energy has and will continue to play an essential role in powering communities in the Carolinas. Submitting an early site permit application is an important next step in assessing the potential for small modular reactors at the Belews Creek site.
Duke Energy said it has not yet made a final decision to build new nuclear units.
But Paladin Energy, Boss Energy and their rival ASX uranium shares look to be catching tailwinds with the US-based company reporting that it plans to add 600 megawatts of advanced nuclear to the system by 2037.
Management expects the first small modular reactor to come online in 2036.
The post Buying ASX uranium shares like Paladin Energy? Here's why they're starting 2026 with a bang! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.
Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Duke Energy. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
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