HYG vs. NLR
HYG (iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF) and NLR (VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HYG is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the Markit iBoxx USD Liquid High Yield Index, while NLR is a Uranium fund tracking the MVIS Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, HYG returned 5.04%/yr vs 12.80%/yr for NLR. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HYG charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.56%/yr for NLR.
Performance
HYG vs. NLR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, HYG achieves a 1.65% return, which is significantly higher than NLR's -1.81% return. Over the past 10 years, HYG has underperformed NLR with an annualized return of 5.04%, while NLR has yielded a comparatively higher 12.80% annualized return.
HYG
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 1.12%
- YTD
- 1.65%
- 6M
- 2.21%
- 1Y
- 6.81%
- 3Y*
- 8.52%
- 5Y*
- 3.75%
- 10Y*
- 5.04%
NLR
- 1D
- 0.84%
- 1M
- -5.96%
- YTD
- -1.81%
- 6M
- -3.70%
- 1Y
- 19.00%
- 3Y*
- 29.88%
- 5Y*
- 19.78%
- 10Y*
- 12.80%
HYG vs. NLR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HYG iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 1.65% | 8.59% | 7.97% | 11.54% | -10.98% | 3.76% | 4.47% | 14.09% | -2.02% | 6.07% |
NLR VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF | -1.81% | 56.50% | 14.26% | 36.67% | 2.29% | 13.63% | 3.49% | 0.20% | 4.94% | 8.25% |
Correlation
The correlation between HYG and NLR is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.45 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.43 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.48 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.45 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 15, 2007 | 0.48 |
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Return for Risk
HYG vs. NLR — Risk / Return Rank
HYG
NLR
HYG vs. NLR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG) 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| HYG | NLR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.24 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.64 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.10 | +0.22 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.79 | 0.63 | +2.16 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.25 | 1.41 | +10.84 |
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Drawdowns
HYG vs. NLR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum HYG drawdown since its inception was -34.25%, smaller than the maximum NLR drawdown of -65.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HYG and NLR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| HYG | NLR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -34.25% | -65.05% | +30.80% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.34% | -29.72% | +27.38% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.56% | -30.48% | +25.92% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -15.79% | -30.48% | +14.69% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -22.03% | -34.35% | +12.32% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -25.81% | +25.81% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.24% | -35.70% | +32.46% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.53% | 13.33% | -12.80% |
Volatility
HYG vs. NLR - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG) is 1.31%, while VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NLR) has a volatility of 13.73%. This indicates that HYG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NLR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| HYG | NLR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.31% | 13.73% | -12.42% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.08% | 33.75% | -30.67% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.87% | 42.85% | -38.98% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 7.53% | 29.56% | -22.03% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 8.29% | 24.22% | -15.93% |
HYG vs. NLR - Expense Ratio Comparison
HYG has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than NLR's 0.56% expense ratio.
Dividends
HYG vs. NLR - Dividend Comparison
HYG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.90%, more than NLR's 2.60% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HYG iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 5.90% | 5.71% | 6.01% | 5.74% | 5.30% | 4.02% | 4.88% | 4.99% | 5.54% | 5.12% | 5.27% | 5.90% |
NLR VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF | 2.60% | 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
HYG and NLR have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
NLR has higher volatility (13.73%) compared to HYG (1.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HYG dropped -34.25% vs NLR's -65.05%.
On 10-year performance, NLR leads with 12.80% vs 5.04% for HYG. On fees, HYG is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, HYG has been the lower-risk option at 1.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, NLR has performed better with a 12.80% return vs 5.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
HYG is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.56% for NLR.
HYG has the higher dividend yield at 5.90%, compared with 2.60% for NLR.
HYG is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while NLR is Uranium. HYG tracks Markit iBoxx USD Liquid High Yield Index, while NLR tracks MVIS Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for HYG and 0.56% for NLR.
HYG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.68 vs 0.44), 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.
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