Top Stocks to Trade for July: Energy Sector in Focus

July’s other macro driver is energy security. Uranium prices near $70/lb and looming lithium deficits have created explosive setups across miners, processors and a dedicated ETF. Below: six names with differentiated moats and tight July catalysts.
1. Cameco (CCJ) – Uranium Major with Leverage
Moat — Tier-one McArthur River/Cigar Lake orebodies and 49 % stake in Westinghouse give CCJ both mining and services revenue
Catalyst — July 31 Q2 print could reveal average realized prices > $75/lb.
Technical Setup — Breakout from a 12-month cup-with-handle projects to $66.
2. NexGen Energy (NXE) – Grade Is King
Moat — Arrow deposit runs 3 %+ U308, triple global averages, giving a sub-$10/lb cost curve.
Catalyst — Feasibility update due mid-July; expect IRR > 25 % at $70 uranium.
Technical Setup — Price coiling at CAD $11; upside explosion to $14 on positive headline.
3. Global X Uranium ETF (URA) – The Index Momentum Vehicle
Moat — Offers basket exposure just as URA punched a 52-week high of $39.30.
Catalyst — Inclusion in multiple June top-performing ETF lists is funneling fresh momentum money.
Technical Setup — Bull flag between $37.70-$39.30; breakout implies $44 objective.
4. Centrus Energy (LEU) – HALEU Pure-Play
Moat — Only U.S. commercial producer of high-assay LEU; DOE just exercised a contract extension through 2026.
Catalyst — Expect DOE Phase III funding details by July 15, a potential volume spike.
Technical Setup — Shares pivot off the 200-day SMA; any close > $45 invites a gamma squeeze.
5. Albemarle (ALB) – Lithium Titan
Moat — Vertically integrated mining-to-refining chain; tariff exemptions keep 2025 outlook intact.
Catalyst — July 30 earnings; watch Kings Mountain mine restart commentary for upside surprises.
Technical Setup — Triple-bottom at $107; a close above $134 flips weekly momentum positive.
6. Energy Fuels (UUUU) – Dual Uranium/Rare-Earth Story
Moat — White Mesa is the only U.S. plant that can process both uranium and REE monazite.
Catalyst — The company’s REE separation circuit comes online in July; could re-rate the stock.
Technical Setup — Huge volume node at $7.80; break re-prices to $9+ quickly.
Uranium-Lithium Macro Pulse
- Policy Tailwind — Four nuclear-friendly executive orders signed May 23 accelerate U.S. enrichment and reactor licensing.
- Supply Squeeze — DOE low-enriched-uranium contracts worth $3.4 B announced this spring tighten U.S. inventory.
- Price Context — Spot uranium is hovering near $71.90/lb, flirting with 15-year highs. Lithium, meanwhile, teeters on the edge of deficit in 2026.
July Execution Grid
- Dip window — Any fade toward URA’s 20-day line (~$37.50) is an add point for the whole basket.
- Risk overlay — Hedge ALB exposure with short-dated puts given lithium’s price volatility.
- Profit window — Roll stops higher once URA tags $42; exit into strength after Centrus contract news or at month-end—whichever comes first.
Final Word
These two thematic baskets—AI silicon and atomic-era energy metals—sit at the confluence of July’s capital-expenditure surge and energy-security zeitgeist. By distributing risk across six meticulously screened tickers per theme, you keep the tactical edge without betting the farm on a single narrative. Trade the setups, respect the charts, and let the catalysts catalyze. Good hunting.