X-Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XE) made its public-market debut Friday after the Amazon-backed advanced nuclear company raised more than $1 billion in an upsized initial public offering.

XE on Nasdaq

Shares opened at $30.11 at 12:46 p.m. ET on the Nasdaq, up $7.11 from the IPO price of $23, according to Benzinga Pro data. 

The company sold 44.25 million shares, above the 42.86 million shares initially planned, and priced the offering $4 above the top of its expected $16 to $19 range, raising about $1.02 billion. 

The debut adds another publicly traded name to the fast-growing advanced nuclear theme, which has drawn investor attention as electricity demand from artificial intelligence data centers, reshoring and electrification puts pressure on U.S. power supply. 

X-Energy describes itself as a developer of advanced small modular nuclear reactors and proprietary fuel technology aimed at delivering clean, reliable power with faster construction timelines than conventional nuclear projects. 

In a CNBC interview Friday, X-Energy CEO Clay Sell highlighted the company's use of helium as a differentiator for its reactor design, positioning the coolant choice as part of the company's safety and performance pitch. 

Sell also pointed to changes within the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, suggesting the permitting environment is evolving as policymakers and regulators look for ways to accelerate advanced nuclear deployment.

Even with that backdrop, commercialization remains a long-cycle story. 

Sell said X-Energy expects a six- to seven-year timeline from permit to operating power plants, underscoring both the scale of the opportunity and the execution risk facing newly public nuclear technology companies.

Amazon's backing gives X-Energy a high-profile strategic signal at a time when major technology companies are searching for round-the-clock clean power options. 

X-Energy stock's trading debut suggests public-market investors are willing to pay up for exposure to the nuclear-power buildout theme.

XE Price Action: X-Energy shares were up 26.2% at $29.02 heading into Friday’s closing bell, according to Benzinga Pro data.

Photo: Phonlamai Photo / Shutterstock