ASTS vs. NLR

Last updated Jun 10, 2026

ASTS (AST SpaceMobile, Inc.) is a stock, while NLR (VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF) is Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the MVIS Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index. Over the past 5 years, ASTS returned 55.49%/yr vs 19.37%/yr for NLR. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

ASTS vs. NLR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (ASTS) and VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NLR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ASTS achieves a 22.14% return, which is significantly higher than NLR's -3.74% return.

ASTS

• 1D: -3.64%
• 1M: 18.20%
• YTD: 22.14%
• 6M: 21.79%
• 1Y: 154.77%
• 3Y*: 148.94%
• 5Y*: 55.49%
• 10Y*: —

NLR

• 1D: -2.98%
• 1M: -15.14%
• YTD: -3.74%
• 6M: -9.10%
• 1Y: 20.19%
• 3Y*: 29.85%
• 5Y*: 19.37%
• 10Y*: 12.38%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ASTS vs. NLR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
ASTS AST SpaceMobile, Inc.	22.14%	244.22%	249.92%	25.10%	-39.29%	-41.53%	37.59%	1.02%
NLR VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF	-3.74%	56.50%	14.26%	36.67%	2.29%	13.63%	3.49%	1.51%

Correlation

The correlation between ASTS and NLR is 0.57, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.38
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 1, 2019	0.32

Over the past year, ASTS and NLR have become more correlated (0.57) than their long-term average of 0.32, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

ASTS vs. NLR — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ASTS

ASTS Risk / Return Rank: 81
ASTS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
ASTS Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
ASTS Omega Ratio Rank: 76
ASTS Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
ASTS Martin Ratio Rank: 81

NLR

NLR Risk / Return Rank: 19
NLR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
NLR Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
NLR Omega Ratio Rank: 19
NLR Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
NLR Martin Ratio Rank: 17

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ASTS vs. NLR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (ASTS) and VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NLR). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	ASTS	NLR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	0.47	+1.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.21	0.94	+1.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.11	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.27	0.74	+2.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.44	1.56	+4.88
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ASTS vs. NLR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ASTS Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is higher than the NLR Sharpe Ratio of 0.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ASTS and NLR, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ASTS	NLR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.50	0.47	+1.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.66	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.51	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.15	+0.24

Drawdowns

ASTS vs. NLR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ASTS drawdown since its inception was -91.07%, which is greater than NLR's maximum drawdown of -65.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ASTS and NLR.

Drawdown Indicators

	ASTS	NLR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-91.07%	-65.05%	-26.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-47.69%	-27.27%	-20.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-70.66%	-30.48%	-40.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-85.57%	-30.48%	-55.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.35%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-33.35%	-27.27%	-6.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-43.35%	-35.70%	-7.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	24.15%	12.99%	+11.16%

Volatility

ASTS vs. NLR - Volatility Comparison

AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (ASTS) has a higher volatility of 38.98% compared to VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NLR) at 13.47%. This indicates that ASTS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NLR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ASTS	NLR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	38.98%	13.47%	+25.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	82.97%	33.26%	+49.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	104.74%	42.98%	+61.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	109.29%	29.46%	+79.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	100.48%	24.16%	+76.32%

Dividends

ASTS vs. NLR - Dividend Comparison

ASTS has not paid dividends to shareholders, while NLR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.65%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ASTS AST SpaceMobile, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NLR VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF	2.65%	2.55%	0.76%	4.54%	2.02%	1.99%	2.23%	2.21%	3.91%	4.86%	3.62%	3.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ASTS and NLR in my portfolio?

ASTS and NLR have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ASTS or NLR?

ASTS has higher volatility (38.98%) compared to NLR (13.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ASTS dropped -91.07% vs NLR's -65.05%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ASTS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.50 vs 0.47), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.