NLR vs. IRDM

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

NLR (VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF) is Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the MVIS Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index, while IRDM (Iridium Communications Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, NLR returned 12.80%/yr vs 19.93%/yr for IRDM. At a 0.29 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

NLR vs. IRDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NLR) and Iridium Communications Inc. (IRDM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NLR achieves a -1.81% return, which is significantly lower than IRDM's 173.92% return. Over the past 10 years, NLR has underperformed IRDM with an annualized return of 12.80%, while IRDM has yielded a comparatively higher 19.93% annualized return.

NLR

• 1D: 0.84%
• 1M: -10.59%
• YTD: -1.81%
• 6M: -3.70%
• 1Y: 18.72%
• 3Y*: 29.88%
• 5Y*: 19.78%
• 10Y*: 12.80%

IRDM

• 1D: -5.19%
• 1M: 9.82%
• YTD: 173.92%
• 6M: 156.23%
• 1Y: 66.38%
• 3Y*: -6.22%
• 5Y*: 5.22%
• 10Y*: 19.93%

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

NLR vs. IRDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
IRDM Iridium Communications Inc.	173.92%	-38.51%	-28.09%	-19.10%	24.49%	5.00%	59.60%	33.55%	56.36%	22.92%

Correlation

The correlation between NLR and IRDM is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.27
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.31
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 20, 2008	0.29

Return for Risk

NLR vs. IRDM — Risk / Return Rank

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

NLR

NLR Risk / Return Rank: 18
NLR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
NLR Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
NLR Omega Ratio Rank: 18
NLR Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
NLR Martin Ratio Rank: 17

IRDM

IRDM Risk / Return Rank: 70
IRDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
IRDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
IRDM Omega Ratio Rank: 75
IRDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
IRDM Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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. IRDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NLR) and Iridium Communications Inc. (IRDM). 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.

	NLR	IRDM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.44	1.05	-0.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.90	1.68	-0.78
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.24	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.63	1.31	-0.68
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.41	2.16	-0.75

NLR vs. IRDM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NLR Sharpe Ratio is 0.44, which is lower than the IRDM Sharpe Ratio of 1.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NLR and IRDM, 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

NLR vs. IRDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NLR drawdown since its inception was -65.05%, smaller than the maximum IRDM drawdown of -75.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NLR and IRDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	NLR	IRDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.05%	-75.34%	+10.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-29.72%	-50.74%	+21.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.48%	-73.60%	+43.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.48%	-75.34%	+44.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.35%	-75.34%	+40.99%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-25.81%	-25.28%	-0.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-35.70%	-25.99%	-9.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.33%	30.90%	-17.57%

Volatility

NLR vs. IRDM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NLR) is 13.73%, while Iridium Communications Inc. (IRDM) has a volatility of 21.73%. This indicates that NLR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IRDM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NLR	IRDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.73%	21.73%	-8.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	33.75%	47.62%	-13.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	42.85%	63.50%	-20.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.56%	45.74%	-16.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.22%	45.45%	-21.23%

Dividends

NLR vs. IRDM - Dividend Comparison

NLR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.60%, more than IRDM's 1.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IRDM Iridium Communications Inc.	1.25%	3.34%	1.90%	1.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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

Can I hold both NLR and IRDM in my portfolio?

NLR and IRDM have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NLR or IRDM?

IRDM has higher volatility (21.73%) compared to NLR (13.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NLR dropped -65.05% vs IRDM's -75.34%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IRDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.05 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.