NLR vs. SOXX
NLR (VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF) and SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NLR is a Uranium fund tracking the MVIS Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index, while SOXX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the NYSE Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, NLR returned 12.80%/yr vs 35.55%/yr for SOXX. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NLR charges 0.56%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for SOXX.
Performance
NLR vs. SOXX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, NLR achieves a -1.81% return, which is significantly lower than SOXX's 98.11% return. Over the past 10 years, NLR has underperformed SOXX with an annualized return of 12.80%, while SOXX has yielded a comparatively higher 35.55% annualized return.
NLR
- 1D
- 0.84%
- 1M
- -5.96%
- YTD
- -1.81%
- 6M
- -3.70%
- 1Y
- 19.00%
- 3Y*
- 29.88%
- 5Y*
- 19.78%
- 10Y*
- 12.80%
SOXX
- 1D
- 1.59%
- 1M
- 17.25%
- YTD
- 98.11%
- 6M
- 99.51%
- 1Y
- 171.57%
- 3Y*
- 53.00%
- 5Y*
- 33.69%
- 10Y*
- 35.55%
NLR vs. SOXX - 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% |
SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF | 98.11% | 40.74% | 12.92% | 67.12% | -35.09% | 44.09% | 52.72% | 62.42% | -6.49% | 39.79% |
Correlation
The correlation between NLR and SOXX is 0.49, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.49 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.46 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.47 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.41 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 15, 2007 | 0.48 |
NLR vs. SOXX - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
NLR
SOXX
Energy
-
Utilities
-
Industrials
-
Technology
Basic Materials
-
-
Communication Services
-
-
Consumer Cyclical
-
-
Consumer Defensive
-
-
Financial Services
-
-
Healthcare
-
-
Real Estate
-
-
Energy
NLR
SOXX
-
Utilities
NLR
SOXX
-
Industrials
NLR
SOXX
-
Technology
NLR
SOXX
Basic Materials
NLR
-
SOXX
-
Communication Services
NLR
-
SOXX
-
Consumer Cyclical
NLR
-
SOXX
-
Consumer Defensive
NLR
-
SOXX
-
Financial Services
NLR
-
SOXX
-
Healthcare
NLR
-
SOXX
-
Real Estate
NLR
-
SOXX
-
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Return for Risk
NLR vs. SOXX — Risk / Return Rank
NLR
SOXX
NLR vs. SOXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NLR) and iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX). 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 | SOXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -3.99 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -3.47 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.10 | 1.62 | -0.52 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.63 | 10.50 | -9.87 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.41 | 38.20 | -36.79 |
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Drawdowns
NLR vs. SOXX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum NLR drawdown since its inception was -65.05%, smaller than the maximum SOXX drawdown of -70.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NLR and SOXX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| NLR | SOXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -65.05% | -70.21% | +5.16% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -29.72% | -15.77% | -13.95% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -30.48% | -41.36% | +10.88% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -30.48% | -45.75% | +15.27% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -34.35% | -45.75% | +11.40% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -25.81% | -3.16% | -22.65% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -35.70% | -19.95% | -15.75% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 13.33% | 4.33% | +9.00% |
Volatility
NLR vs. SOXX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NLR) is 13.73%, while iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) has a volatility of 19.42%. This indicates that NLR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SOXX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| NLR | SOXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 13.73% | 19.42% | -5.69% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 33.75% | 31.46% | +2.29% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 42.85% | 37.35% | +5.50% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 29.56% | 36.73% | -7.17% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.22% | 33.77% | -9.55% |
NLR vs. SOXX - Expense Ratio Comparison
NLR has a 0.56% expense ratio, which is higher than SOXX's 0.34% expense ratio.
Dividends
NLR vs. SOXX - Dividend Comparison
NLR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.60%, more than SOXX's 0.28% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF | 0.28% | 0.57% | 0.67% | 0.78% | 1.26% | 0.64% | 0.81% | 1.23% | 1.37% | 0.90% | 1.08% | 1.29% |
Frequently Asked Questions
NLR and SOXX have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SOXX has higher volatility (19.42%) compared to NLR (13.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NLR dropped -65.05% vs SOXX's -70.21%.
On 10-year performance, SOXX leads with 35.55% vs 12.80% for NLR. On fees, SOXX is cheaper at 0.34% per year. On volatility, NLR has been the lower-risk option at 13.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, SOXX has performed better with a 35.55% return vs 12.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SOXX is cheaper with a 0.34% expense ratio, compared with 0.56% for NLR.
NLR has the higher dividend yield at 2.60%, compared with 0.28% for SOXX.
NLR is categorized as Uranium, while SOXX is Semiconductors. NLR tracks MVIS Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index, while SOXX tracks NYSE Semiconductor Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.56% for NLR and 0.34% for SOXX.
SOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.43 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.
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