Uranium Resources Shares Popped: What You Need to Know

Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.

What: Shares of uranium miner Uranium Resources (Nasdaq: URRE  ) were charged up today, gaining as much as 27% in intraday trading on heavy volume.

So what: The disaster in Japan has put a harsh light on the nuclear power industry thanks to the ongoing meltdown concerns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station. Pretty much any stock with an association with nuclear power -- from miners like Uranium Resources, to contractors like Babcock & Wilcox and equipment manufacturers like GE -- have taken a drubbing. But investors appear to be reconsidering their concerns today as Uranium Resources along with fellow nuclear players like Uranerz Energy (NYSE: URZ  ) and Cameco (NYSE: CCJ  ) have posted significant gains.

Now what: The world has been in search of low-emission energy sources that can help meet the growing global demand for energy while cutting down on pollution. That had some experts saying that there would be a "nuclear renaissance." Is that out of the question now that Japan's experience has seemingly highlighted the danger in nuclear power? That remains to be seen, but I agree with the view of my fellow Fool Tim Hanson, that, over the long term, nuclear will still likely play an increasing role in global power generation.

Want to keep up to date on these stocks?

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• Add Uranerz Energy to your watchlist.
• Add Cameco to your watchlist.