Nuclear energy and its related exchange traded funds (ETFs) continue moving forward, regardless of sentiment toward the sector.

The latest push came last Friday, when China signed a pact with Russia for $1 billion to build out a nuclear power plant facility. China has been seeking to expand nuclear power operations because this energy accounts for only 2% of the country’s total energy production.

Gary Gordon for ETF Expert says there are three reasons that the sector is primed for a rebound:

• Both suppliers and consumers are going nuclear. Western and Eastern suppliers are wanting to profit from the trend.
• Last week, in which the markets witness the worst beating in three months, the Market Vectors Global Nuclear Energy (NLR) rose 6.1%, and it’s about even while the S&P 500 is down more than 6.3%.
• "Rule of 72": There are 72 plans for new plants in the works in Russia, China, India and Japan. That means demand isn’t going away, despite whatever reservations there may be.

The other nuclear-focused ETF is the PowerShares Global Nuclear Energy Fund (PKN), which launched on April 4. Since then, it’s up 8.1%. NLR is down 0.8% year-to-date, but up 9.9% in the last month.

Tags: Asia, China, Emerging Markets, Energy, India, Japan, Russia, Sector ETFs