NLR vs. IXC
NLR (VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF) and IXC (iShares Global Energy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NLR is a Uranium fund tracking the MVIS Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index, while IXC is a Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Global 1200 Energy Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, NLR returned 10.96%/yr vs 10.11%/yr for IXC. Their 0.51 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. NLR charges 0.56%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for IXC.
Performance
NLR vs. IXC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, NLR achieves a -12.96% return, which is significantly lower than IXC's 34.16% return. Over the past 10 years, NLR has outperformed IXC with an annualized return of 10.96%, while IXC has yielded a comparatively lower 10.11% annualized return.
NLR
- 1D
- -2.97%
- 1M
- -7.91%
- 6M
- -29.25%
- YTD
- -12.96%
- 1Y
- -8.40%
- 3Y*
- 23.96%
- 5Y*
- 18.37%
- 10Y*
- 10.96%
- ALL TIME*
- 3.36%
IXC
- 1D
- 0.13%
- 1M
- 11.29%
- 6M
- 23.33%
- YTD
- 34.16%
- 1Y
- 42.55%
- 3Y*
- 16.45%
- 5Y*
- 22.71%
- 10Y*
- 10.11%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.51%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $42.31M | $62.47M | $60.65M | |
| $52.35M | $49.22M | $61.68M |
NLR vs. IXC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NLR VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF | -12.96% | 56.50% | 14.26% | 36.67% | 2.29% | 13.63% | 3.49% | 0.20% | 4.94% | 8.25% |
IXC iShares Global Energy ETF | 34.16% | 13.98% | 1.95% | 3.92% | 48.51% | 40.88% | -31.00% | 12.67% | -14.85% | 5.54% |
Correlation
The correlation between NLR and IXC is 0.00, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.00 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.22 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.33 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.35 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 15, 2007 | 0.51 |
Over the past year, the correlation between NLR and IXC has dropped to 0.00 - well below their long-term average of 0.51, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
NLR vs. IXC - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
NLR
IXC
Energy
Utilities
Industrials
-
Basic Materials
-
Technology
-
Communication Services
-
-
Consumer Cyclical
-
-
Consumer Defensive
-
-
Financial Services
-
-
Healthcare
-
-
Real Estate
-
-
Energy
NLR
IXC
Utilities
NLR
IXC
Industrials
NLR
IXC
-
Basic Materials
NLR
IXC
-
Technology
NLR
IXC
-
Communication Services
NLR
-
IXC
-
Consumer Cyclical
NLR
-
IXC
-
Consumer Defensive
NLR
-
IXC
-
Financial Services
NLR
-
IXC
-
Healthcare
NLR
-
IXC
-
Real Estate
NLR
-
IXC
-
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Return for Risk
NLR vs. IXC — Risk / Return Rank
NLR
IXC
NLR vs. IXC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NLR) and iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC). 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 | IXC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.37 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.76 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.00 | 1.36 | -0.36 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.22 | 2.75 | -2.97 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.48 | 8.52 | -9.00 |
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Drawdowns
NLR vs. IXC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum NLR drawdown since its inception was -65.05%, roughly equal to the maximum IXC drawdown of -67.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NLR and IXC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| NLR | IXC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -65.05% | -67.88% | +2.83% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -36.61% | -15.36% | -21.25% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -36.61% | -19.06% | -17.55% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -36.61% | -24.93% | -11.68% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -36.61% | -64.16% | +27.55% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -34.23% | -3.45% | -30.78% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -35.67% | -17.43% | -18.24% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 16.73% | 4.94% | +11.79% |
Volatility
NLR vs. IXC - Volatility Comparison
VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NLR) has a higher volatility of 10.60% compared to iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) at 5.23%. This indicates that NLR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IXC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| NLR | IXC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 10.60% | 5.23% | +5.37% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 32.75% | 15.75% | +17.00% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 43.30% | 19.35% | +23.95% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 29.96% | 23.35% | +6.61% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.47% | 26.81% | -2.34% |
NLR vs. IXC - Expense Ratio Comparison
NLR has a 0.56% expense ratio, which is higher than IXC's 0.40% expense ratio.
Dividends
NLR vs. IXC - Dividend Comparison
NLR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.93%, more than IXC's 2.83% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IXC iShares Global Energy ETF | 2.83% | 3.68% | 4.56% | 3.45% | 4.76% | 3.98% | 4.86% | 7.00% | 3.51% | 3.05% | 2.86% | 3.77% |
NLR VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF | 2.93% | 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 IXC have a correlation of 0.00, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
NLR has higher volatility (10.60%) compared to IXC (5.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NLR dropped -65.05% vs IXC's -67.88%.
On 10-year performance, NLR leads with 10.96% vs 10.11% for IXC. On fees, IXC is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, IXC has been the lower-risk option at 5.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, NLR has performed better with a 10.96% return vs 10.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IXC is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.56% for NLR.
NLR has the higher dividend yield at 2.93%, compared with 2.83% for IXC.
NLR is categorized as Uranium, while IXC is Energy Equities. NLR tracks MVIS Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index, while IXC tracks S&P Global 1200 Energy Capped Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.56% for NLR and 0.40% for IXC.
IXC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.18 vs -0.19), 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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