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NLR vs. AVUV
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

NLR vs. AVUV

Last updated Jun 12, 2026

NLR (VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF) and AVUV (Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NLR is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the MVIS Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index, while AVUV is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Avantis. NLR is passively managed, while AVUV is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, NLR returned 19.58%/yr vs 11.36%/yr for AVUV. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NLR charges 0.56%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for AVUV.

Performance

NLR vs. AVUV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NLR) and Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NLR achieves a -2.62% return, which is significantly lower than AVUV's 21.56% return.

NLR

1D
4.69%
1M
-13.55%
YTD
-2.62%
6M
-10.27%
1Y
17.88%
3Y*
29.43%
5Y*
19.58%
10Y*
12.59%

AVUV

1D
1.94%
1M
4.52%
YTD
21.56%
6M
17.10%
1Y
38.46%
3Y*
19.38%
5Y*
11.36%
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

NLR vs. AVUV - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025202420232022202120202019
NLR
VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF		-2.62%56.50%14.26%36.67%2.29%13.63%3.49%-1.99%
AVUV
Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF		21.56%7.44%9.28%22.82%-4.91%42.20%6.43%8.54%

Correlation

The correlation between NLR and AVUV is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

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

0.39

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

0.42

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

0.50

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 26, 2019

0.52

The correlation between NLR and AVUV shifts across timeframes, from 0.39 (1 year) to 0.52 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

NLR vs. AVUV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
NLR
AVUV

Energy

46.0%
18.2%

Utilities

37.4%
0.1%

Industrials

15.1%
13.9%

Technology

1.5%
7.0%

Basic Materials

-

4.9%

Communication Services

-

2.8%

Consumer Cyclical

-

18.0%

Consumer Defensive

-

4.5%

Financial Services

-

25.8%

Healthcare

-

4.2%

Real Estate

-

0.7%

Energy

NLR
46.0%
AVUV
18.2%

Utilities

NLR
37.4%
AVUV
0.1%

Industrials

NLR
15.1%
AVUV
13.9%

Technology

NLR
1.5%
AVUV
7.0%

Basic Materials

NLR

-

AVUV
4.9%

Communication Services

NLR

-

AVUV
2.8%

Consumer Cyclical

NLR

-

AVUV
18.0%

Consumer Defensive

NLR

-

AVUV
4.5%

Financial Services

NLR

-

AVUV
25.8%

Healthcare

NLR

-

AVUV
4.2%

Real Estate

NLR

-

AVUV
0.7%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF

Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF

Often compared with NLR:
NLR vs. URANLR vs. NUKZNLR vs. URNMNLR vs. OKLONLR vs. GRIDNLR vs. URANNLR vs. SMH
Often compared with AVUV:
AVUV vs. VBRAVUV vs. VTIAVUV vs. IWMAVUV vs. IJRAVUV vs. DFSVAVUV vs. VIOVAVUV vs. AVUVX

Return for Risk

NLR vs. AVUV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
NLR
NLR Risk / Return Rank: 1818
Overall Rank
NLR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1818
Sharpe Ratio Rank
NLR Sortino Ratio Rank: 2020
Sortino Ratio Rank
NLR Omega Ratio Rank: 1919
Omega Ratio Rank
NLR Calmar Ratio Rank: 1919
Calmar Ratio Rank
NLR Martin Ratio Rank: 1717
Martin Ratio Rank
AVUV
AVUV Risk / Return Rank: 8484
Overall Rank
AVUV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8282
Sharpe Ratio Rank
AVUV Sortino Ratio Rank: 8484
Sortino Ratio Rank
AVUV Omega Ratio Rank: 7878
Omega Ratio Rank
AVUV Calmar Ratio Rank: 9191
Calmar Ratio Rank
AVUV Martin Ratio Rank: 8585
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.

NLR vs. AVUV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NLR) and Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV). 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.

NLRAVUVDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.42
2.19

-1.78

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
0.87
3.13

-2.26

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.10

1.38

-0.28

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.60

4.86

-4.26

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

1.36

14.46

-13.11

NLR vs. AVUV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NLR Sharpe Ratio is 0.42, which is lower than the AVUV Sharpe Ratio of 2.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NLR and AVUV, 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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Drawdowns

NLR vs. AVUV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NLR drawdown since its inception was -65.05%, which is greater than AVUV's maximum drawdown of -49.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NLR and AVUV.

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Drawdown Indicators

NLRAVUVDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-65.05%

-49.42%

-15.63%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-29.72%

-7.95%

-21.77%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-30.48%

-28.79%

-1.69%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-30.48%

-28.79%

-1.69%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-34.35%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-26.42%

0.00%

-26.42%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-35.70%

-7.92%

-27.78%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

13.23%

2.67%

+10.56%

Volatility

NLR vs. AVUV - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NLR) has a higher volatility of 13.79% compared to Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) at 4.52%. This indicates that NLR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AVUV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

NLRAVUVDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

13.79%

4.52%

+9.27%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

33.75%

11.52%

+22.23%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

43.23%

17.61%

+25.62%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

29.57%

22.75%

+6.82%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

24.22%

28.26%

-4.04%

NLR vs. AVUV - Expense Ratio Comparison

NLR has a 0.56% expense ratio, which is higher than AVUV's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

NLR vs. AVUV - Dividend Comparison

NLR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.62%, more than AVUV's 1.62% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
AVUV
Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF		1.62%1.58%1.61%1.65%1.74%1.28%1.21%0.38%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
NLR
VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF		2.62%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

NLR and AVUV have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

NLR has higher volatility (13.79%) compared to AVUV (4.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NLR dropped -65.05% vs AVUV's -49.42%.

On 5-year performance, NLR leads with 19.58% vs 11.36% for AVUV. On fees, AVUV is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, AVUV has been the lower-risk option at 4.52%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, NLR has performed better with a 19.58% return vs 11.36%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

AVUV is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.56% for NLR.

NLR has the higher dividend yield at 2.62%, compared with 1.62% for AVUV.

NLR is categorized as Alternative Energy Equities, while AVUV is Small Cap Value Equities. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Avantis. Their fees differ too: 0.56% for NLR and 0.25% for AVUV.

AVUV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.19 vs 0.42), 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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