Nuclear energy stocks spent much of 2024 running at the top of the S&P 500. Constellation Energy, Vistra and other new nuclear-focused companies rode a wave of excitement as Big Tech scrambled to find the electricity needed to power its artificial intelligence ambitions. Constellation Energy shares shot up 91% last year and Vistra stock rocketed 258%, placing both among the top S&P 500 stocks and the best 100 stocks of 2024.