For a long time, the uranium market was dominated by the liquidation of inventories, both commercial and military in origin. As a result, price was depressed and production and exploration efforts were cut back. Over the same period that production was stagnant, reactor requirements were increasing as utilities were able to increase their capacity factors and uprate their reactors. More recently, new demand is emerging from China, India, and Russia, as these countries seek to dramatically increase their nuclear power capabilities.
As a result of these changes, the excesses of the past market have disappeared. As demand increased and supply disruptions appeared, inventories were consumed at a faster rate. Higher prices and higher demand have changed market attitudes from complacency about future supply to concern. In addition to this transition from an inventory-driven market to a production-driven one, the U.S. dollar has depreciated against producer currencies, meaning the price has to push even higher to find an equilibrium level.
The market that we now find ourselves in is like no other in the history of uranium. Production is far below requirements, which are growing. HEU supplies and the enrichment of tails material make up a large portion of supply, but the fate of these supply sources is uncertain. Supply has become more concentrated, making the market more vulnerable to disruptions if there are any problems with a particular supply source. Another source of market vulnerability is the relatively low level of inventory held by buyers and sellers alike.
So far, this transition has been subject to considerable price volatility. The question is whether this volatility will continue. This will depend on the procurement, inventory, and investment decisions that are made in anticipation to and in reaction to the developing trends. Will governments get into the act, and how might this affect the future market? What other surprises may there be?
The UxC Uranium Market Outlook (UMO) report is designed to answer these questions and others by examining developments and discerning trends in the market, including the likely future course of price under different scenarios. The entire report is updated quarterly, so that subscribers have the most current information and analyses on which to base their decisions. Updates of leading market indicators are also provided on a monthly basis, so you’re never too out of touch with the market.
Special Issue Offer:
Each quarter, UxC releases a new Uranium Market Outlook (UMO) that contains detailed up-to-date analysis on the uranium market.
UxC makes available any individual report for sale as a stand alone report.
In each UMO, topical essays are devoted to topics such as current market developments, major market events, and long-term market trends.
This quarter’s essay, “U.S. Government Excess Uranium Inventory Disposition” examines the various forms of excess uranium inventory held by the U.S. Department of Energy’s and forecasts its disposition plans through 2030.
UxC makes this quarter's UMO available as a special single report order
at a rate of US$5,000.00. An online order form has been provided.
Please note that this special offer only covers this quarter's UMO report.
It does not include services associated with a full year's subscription as discussed below: such as three additional quarterly reports,
the monthly leading spot price indicator updates, and access to UxC's Subscriber Services website.
The Uranium Market Outlook is a quarterly report on the uranium market that examines recent and prospective spot and long-term
contract market activity, supply and demand trends, supplier developments, and the outlook for
prices over the short and long term. The UMO also includes a topical essay on important
developments that are shaping the market and detailed findings from UxC's proprietary indicator
system that analyzes trends in key factors influencing future prices.
Starting with the Q2 2009 UMO report, UxC also includes uranium demand
forecasts based on the proprietary UxC Requirements Model (URM).
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