NLR vs. METL

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

NLR (VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF) and METL (Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NLR is a Uranium fund tracking the MVIS Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index, while METL is a Natural Resources fund actively managed by Sprott. NLR is passively managed, while METL is actively managed. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NLR charges 0.56%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for METL.

Performance

NLR vs. METL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NLR) and Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF (METL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NLR achieves a -15.40% return, which is significantly lower than METL's -6.10% return.

NLR

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: -17.23%
• 6M: -29.26%
• YTD: -15.40%
• 1Y: -8.06%
• 3Y*: 23.46%
• 5Y*: 17.81%
• 10Y*: 10.66%
• ALL TIME*: 3.20%

METL

• 1D: -0.92%
• 1M: -15.36%
• 6M: -19.31%
• YTD: -6.10%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

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

NLR vs. METL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
NLR VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF	-15.40%	4.23%
METL Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF	-6.10%	28.19%

Correlation

The correlation between NLR and METL is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 2025	0.78

Return for Risk

NLR vs. METL — Risk / Return Rank

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

NLR

NLR Risk / Return Rank: 8
NLR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
NLR Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
NLR Omega Ratio Rank: 9
NLR Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
NLR Martin Ratio Rank: 8

METL

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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. METL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NLR) and Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF (METL). 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	METL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.19	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.03	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.22	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.50	—	—

Drawdowns

NLR vs. METL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NLR drawdown since its inception was -65.05%, which is greater than METL's maximum drawdown of -28.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NLR and METL.

Drawdown Indicators

	NLR	METL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.05%	-28.80%	-36.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-36.61%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-36.61%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.61%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.61%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-36.08%	-28.80%	-7.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-35.67%	-10.00%	-25.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	16.20%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	NLR	METL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.51%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	32.62%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	43.18%	44.16%	-0.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.88%	44.16%	-14.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.43%	44.16%	-19.73%

NLR vs. METL - Expense Ratio Comparison

NLR has a 0.56% expense ratio, which is lower than METL's 0.89% expense ratio.

Dividends

NLR vs. METL - Dividend Comparison

NLR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.01%, more than METL's 1.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
METL Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF	1.06%	0.99%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NLR VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF	3.01%	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 METL in my portfolio?

NLR and METL have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, NLR or METL?

On fees, NLR is cheaper at 0.56% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, NLR or METL?

NLR is cheaper with a 0.56% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for METL.

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

NLR has the higher dividend yield at 3.01%, compared with 1.06% for METL.

What is the main difference between NLR and METL?

NLR is categorized as Uranium, while METL is Natural Resources. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Sprott. Their fees differ too: 0.56% for NLR and 0.89% for METL.