Why Constellation Energy Stock Slumped in March
π Constellation Energy (CEG) stock fell 15.3% in March and is down another 4% this month, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence data.
π Geopolitical tensions caused a shift away from growth stocks into defensive plays, cooling off the AI investment narrative that previously boosted utility shares.
β‘ A surprising marginal decline in electricity prices revealed in the February Consumer Price Index report negatively impacted utility stocks across the board.
π The company beat fourth-quarter estimates in late February but disappointed analysts when its March 31 guidance for 2026 operating earnings of $11.50 per share missed the consensus of $11.78 per share.
β οΈ A key concern is a potential delay in restarting the Crane Clean Energy Center reactor at Three Mile Island to fulfill its power supply contract with Microsoft.
π Delays in several external power transmission projects could prevent full grid connection for the new reactor until the end of 2030, potentially impacting the 2027 restart target.
π» Constellation signed a massive 20-year deal with Microsoft in late 2024 to supply electricity for AI data centers, making this project central to recent stock valuation.
ποΈ The company's acquisition of Calpine for $16.4 billion has significantly bolstered its natural gas and geothermal assets alongside its nuclear fleet.
π Management is seeking a waiver from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to connect the plant to the grid elsewhere if transmission projects remain delayed.
β Despite short-term risks, analysts view Constellation as one of the best nuclear stocks to buy on the dip due to continued massive demand for AI data center power.
π° The company has boosted its share buyback program to $5 billion and remains a dividend growth stock with multiple long-term power supply contracts.
π The Motley Fool's Stock Advisor team currently does not include Constellation Energy in its latest list of 10 best stocks for investors to buy now.
π Historical performance data shows that the Motley Fool's Stock Advisor has an average return of 928% compared to 186% for the S&P 500 over time.
- Constellation Energy is the largest producer of electricity in the U.S. and the nation's largest producer of clean energy.
- As the operator of the largest nuclear fleet in the U.S., Constellation Energy is positioned to benefit from the massive power demands of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers.
- Constellation's stock surged 58% in 2025 due to its nuclear energy dominance amid the data center boom.
- The company beat analysts' estimates when it reported its fourth-quarter numbers in late February.
- Constellation's recent $16.4 billion cash-and-stock acquisition of Calpine has added significant natural gas and geothermal assets to its portfolio.
- The company maintains a dividend growth status and has just boosted its share buyback program to $5 billion.
- Constellation Energy has multiple big power supply contracts beyond its Microsoft deal, diversifying revenue streams.
- The massive AI data center power demand is expected to remain strong despite short-term timing risks regarding project delays.
- Constellation Energy stock fell 15.3% in March and an additional 4% this month as of the writing, indicating significant downward momentum.
- The company's 2026 operating earnings guidance of $11.50 per share at the midpoint fell short of analyst consensus earnings estimates of $11.78 per share, prompting a stock price decline after the March 31 announcement.
- Significant delays in power transmission projects mean Three Mile Island's Crane Clean Energy Center might not be fully connected to the grid until at least the end of 2030, risking delays for its crucial Microsoft contract.
- The AI narrative cooled off in March amid geopolitical tensions that caused money to rotate out of growth stocks and into defensive plays, negatively impacting Constellation's valuation despite its clean energy dominance.
- The February Consumer Price Index report revealed a marginal decline in month-over-month electricity prices, which hit utility stocks across the board including Constellation Energy.
- Constellation Energy was not included in The Motley Fool Stock Advisor's list of 10 best stocks for investors to buy now, suggesting the company may lack immediate upside potential according to this analyst team.