Rising supply could act as a headwind for uranium prices

The price of uranium, known as yellow cake, has more than doubled in the past year amid a significant imbalance between supply and demand in the global market, sending uranium-related assets soaring to the sky. In addition, the return of Japanese appetite for carbon-free energy and the restart of two nuclear reactors last year, along with plans to restore more units in 2024, also contributed to rising prices. Then, more recently, the announcement of the U.S. ban on Russian imports of uranium and the approval of the GX Decarbonization Power Supply Bill in Japan, aimed at creating a carbon-free energy supply, have had the same effect, helping uranium to regain strength after a brief selloff in February and March 2024.

Illustration 1.01

Uranium-related assets, including Global X Uranium (URA), Sprott Physical Uranium Trust (SRUUF), Sprott Uranium Miners ETF (URNM), and Uranium Energy Corporation (UEC), all recorded huge gains in the past year or so.

Since the start of 2024, uranium has gained approximately 4.7%. Yet, for the year, its performance has been flat, which begs the question of whether the rally is not overdone at this point when the supply is coming online around the world, raising chances of the market moving toward balance and potentially leading to stabilization or reversal in prices. According to the quarterly Domestic Uranium Production Report published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), uranium production in the United States for the first quarter of 2024 already surpassed the total output last year. Moreover, data from 2021 and 2022 suggest countries like Australia and Canada are also trying to ramp up their production in response to rising prices.

Illustration 1.02

The image above illustrates the weekly graph of Global X Uranium ETF (URA) and a major resistance at $31.60.

Regarding Global X Uranium ETF (URA), it recorded remarkable 353% gains since its lows in 2020, coupled with a nearly 15% increase in the current year alone. However, despite these impressive gains, the ETF has encountered a significant hurdle at the $31.60 mark, signaling a potential barrier to further upside momentum. Besides that, there is a growing perception that events traditionally viewed as catalysts for price appreciation are losing their potency over time, indicating a potential shift in market dynamics.

Technical conditions
Daily time frame = Bullish (losing momentum)
Weekly time frame = Bullish
Monthly time frame = Bullish

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DISCLAIMER: This analysis is not intended to encourage any buying or selling of any particular securities. Furthermore, it should not serve as a basis for taking any trade action by an individual investor or any other entity. Your own due diligence is highly advised before entering a trade.

Comment:

*Correction to the first sentence in the second paragraph, it should have stated: "Since April 2024, uranium has gained approximately 4.7%."