NLR vs. ^NBI

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about VanEck Vectors Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF (NLR) and NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (^NBI).

NLR is a passively managed fund by VanEck that tracks the performance of the DAXglobal Nuclear Energy Index. It was launched on Aug 13, 2007.

Performance

NLR vs. ^NBI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF (NLR) and NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (^NBI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

NLR vs. ^NBI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NLR VanEck Vectors Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF	8.18%	56.50%	14.26%	36.67%	2.29%	13.63%	3.49%	0.20%	4.94%	8.25%
^NBI NASDAQ Biotechnology Index	2.93%	32.40%	-1.37%	3.74%	-10.91%	-0.63%	25.69%	24.41%	-9.32%	21.06%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NLR achieves a 8.18% return, which is significantly higher than ^NBI's 2.93% return. Over the past 10 years, NLR has outperformed ^NBI with an annualized return of 13.96%, while ^NBI has yielded a comparatively lower 7.67% annualized return.

NLR

• 1D: 0.88%
• 1M: -12.66%
• YTD: 8.18%
• 6M: 0.14%
• 1Y: 85.99%
• 3Y*: 37.72%
• 5Y*: 23.55%
• 10Y*: 13.96%

^NBI

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: -2.29%
• YTD: 2.93%
• 6M: 17.31%
• 1Y: 42.14%
• 3Y*: 12.50%
• 5Y*: 4.28%
• 10Y*: 7.67%

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

Return for Risk

NLR vs. ^NBI — Risk / Return Rank

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

NLR

NLR Risk / Return Rank: 86
NLR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
NLR Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
NLR Omega Ratio Rank: 82
NLR Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
NLR Martin Ratio Rank: 75

^NBI

^NBI Risk / Return Rank: 92
^NBI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
^NBI Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
^NBI Omega Ratio Rank: 90
^NBI Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
^NBI Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

NLR vs. ^NBI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF (NLR) and NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (^NBI). 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.

	NLR	^NBI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.05	1.80	+0.25
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.62	2.43	+0.19
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.31	+0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.41	3.39	+0.02
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.20	12.88	-4.69
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NLR vs. ^NBI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NLR Sharpe Ratio is 2.05, which is comparable to the ^NBI Sharpe Ratio of 1.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NLR and ^NBI, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	NLR	^NBI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.05	1.80	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84	0.20	+0.64
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60	0.33	+0.27
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.18	0.39	-0.21

Correlation

The correlation between NLR and ^NBI is 0.41, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Drawdowns

NLR vs. ^NBI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NLR drawdown since its inception was -65.05%, smaller than the maximum ^NBI drawdown of -74.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NLR and ^NBI.

Drawdown Indicators

	NLR	^NBI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.05%	-74.70%	+9.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-25.80%	-11.34%	-14.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.48%	-38.50%	+8.02%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.35%	-38.50%	+4.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-18.26%	-3.09%	-15.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-35.90%	-26.73%	-9.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.73%	2.98%	+7.75%

Volatility

NLR vs. ^NBI - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Vectors Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF (NLR) has a higher volatility of 12.53% compared to NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (^NBI) at 8.35%. This indicates that NLR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ^NBI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NLR	^NBI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.53%	8.35%	+4.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	32.94%	14.42%	+18.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	42.20%	23.69%	+18.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.16%	21.89%	+6.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.38%	23.57%	-0.19%