NLR vs. ITWO

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

NLR (VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF) and ITWO (Proshares Russell 2000 High Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NLR is a Uranium fund tracking the MVIS Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index, while ITWO is a Derivative Income fund tracking the Cboe Russell 2000 Daily Covered Call Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, NLR returned 19.25% vs 43.64% for ITWO. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NLR charges 0.56%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for ITWO.

Performance

NLR vs. ITWO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NLR) and Proshares Russell 2000 High Income ETF (ITWO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NLR achieves a 0.28% return, which is significantly lower than ITWO's 22.52% return.

NLR

• 1D: -1.88%
• 1M: -4.81%
• YTD: 0.28%
• 6M: -2.76%
• 1Y: 19.25%
• 3Y*: 32.30%
• 5Y*: 21.55%
• 10Y*: 13.17%

ITWO

• 1D: 0.93%
• 1M: 5.32%
• YTD: 22.52%
• 6M: 18.96%
• 1Y: 43.64%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

NLR vs. ITWO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
NLR VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF	0.28%	56.50%	12.97%
ITWO Proshares Russell 2000 High Income ETF	22.52%	14.25%	3.10%

Correlation

The correlation between NLR and ITWO is 0.59, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 5, 2024	0.56

The correlation between NLR and ITWO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.56 to 0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NLR vs. ITWO — Risk / Return Rank

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

NLR

NLR Risk / Return Rank: 16
NLR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
NLR Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
NLR Omega Ratio Rank: 16
NLR Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
NLR Martin Ratio Rank: 15

ITWO

ITWO Risk / Return Rank: 74
ITWO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
ITWO Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
ITWO Omega Ratio Rank: 61
ITWO Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
ITWO Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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. ITWO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NLR) and Proshares Russell 2000 High Income ETF (ITWO). 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	ITWO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.45	2.29	-1.83
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.91	3.03	-2.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.36	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.65	4.48	-3.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.40	15.02	-13.62

NLR vs. ITWO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NLR Sharpe Ratio is 0.45, which is lower than the ITWO Sharpe Ratio of 2.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NLR and ITWO, 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. ITWO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NLR drawdown since its inception was -65.05%, which is greater than ITWO's maximum drawdown of -24.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NLR and ITWO.

Drawdown Indicators

	NLR	ITWO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.05%	-24.77%	-40.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-29.72%	-9.79%	-19.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.48%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.48%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.35%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-24.23%	0.00%	-24.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-35.69%	-5.04%	-30.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.74%	2.91%	+10.83%

Volatility

NLR vs. ITWO - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NLR) has a higher volatility of 13.63% compared to Proshares Russell 2000 High Income ETF (ITWO) at 6.61%. This indicates that NLR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ITWO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NLR	ITWO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.63%	6.61%	+7.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	33.02%	14.07%	+18.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	42.85%	19.23%	+23.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.62%	20.65%	+8.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.27%	20.65%	+3.62%

NLR vs. ITWO - Expense Ratio Comparison

NLR has a 0.56% expense ratio, which is higher than ITWO's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

NLR vs. ITWO - Dividend Comparison

NLR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.54%, less than ITWO's 7.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ITWO Proshares Russell 2000 High Income ETF	7.27%	12.12%	4.11%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NLR VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF	2.54%	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 ITWO in my portfolio?

NLR and ITWO have a correlation of 0.59, 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 ITWO?

NLR has higher volatility (13.63%) compared to ITWO (6.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NLR dropped -65.05% vs ITWO's -24.77%.

Which ETF is better, NLR or ITWO?

On 1-year performance, ITWO leads with 43.64% vs 19.25% for NLR. On fees, ITWO is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, ITWO has been the lower-risk option at 6.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NLR or ITWO?

Over the 1-year period, ITWO has performed better with a 43.64% return vs 19.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NLR or ITWO?

ITWO is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.56% for NLR.

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

ITWO has the higher dividend yield at 7.27%, compared with 2.54% for NLR.

What is the main difference between NLR and ITWO?

NLR is categorized as Uranium, while ITWO is Derivative Income. NLR tracks MVIS Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index, while ITWO tracks Cboe Russell 2000 Daily Covered Call Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.56% for NLR and 0.55% for ITWO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ITWO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 0.45), 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.