Shares of Oklo Inc. (OKLO) surged 20.97% in pre-market trading on Friday, as investors reacted positively to reports of potential executive orders aimed at revitalizing the nuclear energy industry and an analyst upgrade. The dramatic rise signals strong momentum for the nuclear technology company amid a broader rally in the nuclear sector.

According to sources familiar with the matter, President Donald Trump is expected to sign executive orders as early as Friday to jumpstart the nuclear energy sector. These orders are anticipated to ease the regulatory process for approving new reactors and strengthen fuel supply chains. The move is seen as a significant boost for companies like Oklo, which specializes in advanced nuclear reactor technology.

Adding to the optimism, Wedbush analysts reiterated an Outperform rating on Oklo stock and boosted their price target to $55 from $45, representing potential 15% upside from the previous close. The analysts cited Oklo's competitive advantage in the market, stating, "While the market remains competitive and currently represents an arms race in terms of the approval process and timelines to get power to the ground, we do believe OKLO is a step ahead of the competition."

Oklo stands to benefit significantly from the expected executive orders. The company plans to deploy its first nuclear power plant at Idaho National Laboratory by the end of 2027, and the potential streamlining of regulations could accelerate this timeline. Furthermore, Oklo's unique business model of selling power directly to customers rather than reactors themselves positions the company favorably for long-term recurring revenues.

The surge in Oklo's stock price reflects growing investor confidence in the company's strategic position within the nuclear and AI infrastructure ecosystem. As the United States faces rising power demand from AI-driven data centers, nuclear energy is increasingly seen as a key player in meeting these needs while maintaining clean energy goals.