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IYZ vs. NLR
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IYZ vs. NLR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IYZ (iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF) and NLR (VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IYZ is a Communications Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Telecommunications Index, while NLR is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the MVIS Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IYZ returned 6.28%/yr vs 13.66%/yr for NLR. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IYZ charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.56%/yr for NLR.

Performance

IYZ vs. NLR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF (IYZ) and VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NLR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IYZ achieves a 32.03% return, which is significantly higher than NLR's 6.14% return. Over the past 10 years, IYZ has underperformed NLR with an annualized return of 6.28%, while NLR has yielded a comparatively higher 13.66% annualized return.

IYZ

1D
-2.96%
1M
4.94%
YTD
32.03%
6M
38.73%
1Y
59.79%
3Y*
30.34%
5Y*
8.18%
10Y*
6.28%

NLR

1D
-4.59%
1M
-8.11%
YTD
6.14%
6M
1.51%
1Y
36.84%
3Y*
35.11%
5Y*
21.94%
10Y*
13.66%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IYZ vs. NLR - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IYZ
iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF		32.03%29.28%20.53%3.90%-30.29%11.69%4.13%16.14%-8.59%-11.86%
NLR
VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF		6.14%56.50%14.26%36.67%2.29%13.63%3.49%0.20%4.94%8.25%

Correlation

The correlation between IYZ and NLR is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.43

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.40

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.47

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.46

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 16, 2007

0.51

The correlation between IYZ and NLR shifts across timeframes, from 0.40 (3 years) to 0.51 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF

VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF

Often compared with IYZ:
IYZ vs. XTLIYZ vs. VOXIYZ vs. XLCIYZ vs. IXPIYZ vs. IYRIYZ vs. FBMPXIYZ vs. SPY
Often compared with NLR:
NLR vs. URANLR vs. NUKZNLR vs. URNMNLR vs. OKLONLR vs. GRIDNLR vs. URANNLR vs. SMH

Return for Risk

IYZ vs. NLR — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IYZ
IYZ Risk / Return Rank: 9393
Overall Rank
IYZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9292
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IYZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 9292
Sortino Ratio Rank
IYZ Omega Ratio Rank: 9090
Omega Ratio Rank
IYZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 9696
Calmar Ratio Rank
IYZ Martin Ratio Rank: 9595
Martin Ratio Rank
NLR
NLR Risk / Return Rank: 2525
Overall Rank
NLR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2424
Sharpe Ratio Rank
NLR Sortino Ratio Rank: 2626
Sortino Ratio Rank
NLR Omega Ratio Rank: 2424
Omega Ratio Rank
NLR Calmar Ratio Rank: 2929
Calmar Ratio Rank
NLR Martin Ratio Rank: 2222
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

IYZ vs. NLR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF (IYZ) 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.

IYZNLRDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
3.35
0.88

+2.47

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
4.45
1.43

+3.02

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.58

1.17

+0.42

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

9.54

1.43

+8.11

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

32.08

2.93

+29.15

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IYZ vs. NLR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IYZ Sharpe Ratio is 3.35, which is higher than the NLR Sharpe Ratio of 0.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IYZ 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.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

IYZNLRDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

3.35

0.88

+2.47

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.44

0.75

-0.32

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.33

0.57

-0.24

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.07

0.18

-0.10

Drawdowns

IYZ vs. NLR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IYZ drawdown since its inception was -77.11%, which is greater than NLR's maximum drawdown of -65.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYZ and NLR.

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Drawdown Indicators

IYZNLRDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-77.11%

-65.05%

-12.06%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-6.30%

-25.80%

+19.50%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.85%

-30.48%

+16.63%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-39.74%

-30.48%

-9.26%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-39.74%

-34.35%

-5.39%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.96%

-19.80%

+16.84%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-40.14%

-35.72%

-4.42%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.87%

12.61%

-10.74%

Volatility

IYZ vs. NLR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF (IYZ) is 7.44%, while VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NLR) has a volatility of 13.18%. This indicates that IYZ 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

IYZNLRDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

7.44%

13.18%

-5.74%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

14.76%

32.83%

-18.07%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

17.95%

42.32%

-24.37%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.75%

29.24%

-10.49%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

19.25%

24.02%

-4.77%

IYZ vs. NLR - Expense Ratio Comparison

IYZ has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is lower than NLR's 0.56% expense ratio.

Dividends

IYZ vs. NLR - Dividend Comparison

IYZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.50%, less than NLR's 2.40% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IYZ
iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF		1.50%2.04%1.94%2.27%2.55%2.51%2.60%2.36%2.15%3.54%2.27%1.98%
NLR
VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF		2.40%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

IYZ and NLR have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

NLR has higher volatility (13.18%) compared to IYZ (7.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYZ dropped -77.11% vs NLR's -65.05%.

On 10-year performance, NLR leads with 13.66% vs 6.28% for IYZ. On fees, IYZ is cheaper at 0.42% per year. On volatility, IYZ has been the lower-risk option at 7.44%. 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 13.66% return vs 6.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IYZ is cheaper with a 0.42% expense ratio, compared with 0.56% for NLR.

NLR has the higher dividend yield at 2.40%, compared with 1.50% for IYZ.

IYZ is categorized as Communications Equities, while NLR is Alternative Energy Equities. IYZ tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Telecommunications Index, while NLR tracks MVIS Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.42% for IYZ and 0.56% for NLR.

IYZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.35 vs 0.88), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

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