MOTI vs. NLR

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

MOTI (VanEck Vectors Morningstar International Moat ETF) and NLR (VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MOTI is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Global ex-US Moat Focus Index, while NLR is a Uranium fund tracking the MVIS Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, MOTI returned 7.05%/yr vs 11.82%/yr for NLR. Their 0.46 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. MOTI charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.56%/yr for NLR.

Performance

MOTI vs. NLR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors Morningstar International Moat ETF (MOTI) 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, MOTI achieves a 0.88% return, which is significantly higher than NLR's -8.31% return. Over the past 10 years, MOTI has underperformed NLR with an annualized return of 7.05%, while NLR has yielded a comparatively higher 11.82% annualized return.

MOTI

• 1D: 0.32%
• 1M: 7.79%
• 6M: -2.03%
• YTD: 0.88%
• 1Y: 9.33%
• 3Y*: 8.12%
• 5Y*: 5.10%
• 10Y*: 7.05%
• ALL TIME*: 5.44%

NLR

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -2.26%
• 6M: -19.81%
• YTD: -8.31%
• 1Y: -2.31%
• 3Y*: 26.47%
• 5Y*: 19.64%
• 10Y*: 11.82%
• ALL TIME*: 3.63%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
MOTI VanEck Vectors Morningstar International Moat ETF	$159.40K	$183.16K	$337.60K
NLR VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF	$38.69M	$46.94M	$58.37M

MOTI vs. NLR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MOTI VanEck Vectors Morningstar International Moat ETF	0.88%	25.01%	1.94%	10.18%	-6.93%	0.03%	7.24%	17.63%	-13.92%	34.27%
NLR VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF	-8.31%	56.50%	14.26%	36.67%	2.29%	13.63%	3.49%	0.20%	4.94%	8.25%

Correlation

The correlation between MOTI and NLR is 0.35, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.35
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.38
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.47
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 14, 2015	0.46

The correlation between MOTI and NLR shifts across timeframes, from 0.35 (1 year) to 0.47 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

MOTI vs. NLR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MOTI	NLR
Industrials	23.2%	12.6%
Consumer Defensive	22.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	13.4%	-
Technology	11.3%	1.6%
Healthcare	10.7%	-
Communication Services	7.4%	-
Basic Materials	6.8%	2.3%
Financial Services	4.4%	-
Energy	-	49.8%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	36.0%

Return for Risk

MOTI vs. NLR — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

MOTI

MOTI Risk / Return Rank: 21
MOTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
MOTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
MOTI Omega Ratio Rank: 22
MOTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
MOTI Martin Ratio Rank: 18

NLR

NLR Risk / Return Rank: 10
NLR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
NLR Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
NLR Omega Ratio Rank: 11
NLR Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
NLR Martin Ratio Rank: 9

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

MOTI vs. NLR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Morningstar International Moat ETF (MOTI) 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.

	MOTI	NLR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.63	-0.05	+0.68
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.96	0.24	+0.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.03	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.59	-0.06	+0.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.24	-0.13	+1.37

MOTI vs. NLR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MOTI Sharpe Ratio is 0.63, which is higher than the NLR Sharpe Ratio of -0.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MOTI 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.

Drawdowns

MOTI vs. NLR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MOTI drawdown since its inception was -36.70%, smaller than the maximum NLR drawdown of -65.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MOTI and NLR.

Drawdown Indicators

	MOTI	NLR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.70%	-65.05%	+28.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.95%	-37.52%	+21.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.95%	-37.52%	+21.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.71%	-37.52%	+9.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.70%	-37.52%	+0.82%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.02%	-30.72%	+25.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.17%	-35.66%	+26.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.54%	17.75%	-10.21%

Volatility

MOTI vs. NLR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Vectors Morningstar International Moat ETF (MOTI) is 5.62%, while VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NLR) has a volatility of 12.81%. This indicates that MOTI 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.

Volatility by Period

	MOTI	NLR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.62%	12.81%	-7.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.16%	31.78%	-19.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.96%	43.83%	-28.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.66%	30.21%	-12.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.80%	24.63%	-6.83%

MOTI vs. NLR - Expense Ratio Comparison

MOTI has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is higher than NLR's 0.56% expense ratio.

Dividends

MOTI vs. NLR - Dividend Comparison

MOTI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.19%, more than NLR's 2.78% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MOTI VanEck Vectors Morningstar International Moat ETF	3.19%	3.22%	4.79%	2.34%	3.27%	4.67%	2.14%	3.90%	3.73%	8.87%	1.33%	0.84%
NLR VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF	2.78%	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 MOTI and NLR in my portfolio?

MOTI and NLR have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MOTI or NLR?

NLR has higher volatility (12.81%) compared to MOTI (5.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MOTI dropped -36.70% vs NLR's -65.05%.

Which ETF is better, MOTI or NLR?

On 10-year performance, NLR leads with 11.82% vs 7.05% for MOTI. On fees, NLR is cheaper at 0.56% per year. On volatility, MOTI has been the lower-risk option at 5.62%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MOTI or NLR?

Over the 10-year period, NLR has performed better with a 11.82% return vs 7.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MOTI or NLR?

NLR is cheaper with a 0.56% expense ratio, compared with 0.57% for MOTI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MOTI or NLR?

MOTI has the higher dividend yield at 3.19%, compared with 2.78% for NLR.

What is the main difference between MOTI and NLR?

MOTI is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while NLR is Uranium. MOTI tracks Morningstar Global ex-US Moat Focus Index, while NLR tracks MVIS Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index. Their fees differ too: 0.57% for MOTI and 0.56% for NLR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MOTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.63 vs -0.05), 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.