NLR vs. VGT

Last updated Jul 26, 2026

NLR (VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF) and VGT (Vanguard Information Technology ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NLR is a Uranium fund tracking the MVIS Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index, while VGT is a Technology Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, NLR returned 10.96%/yr vs 24.14%/yr for VGT. Their 0.53 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. NLR charges 0.56%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VGT.

Performance

NLR vs. VGT - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NLR achieves a -12.96% return, which is significantly lower than VGT's 20.52% return. Over the past 10 years, NLR has underperformed VGT with an annualized return of 10.96%, while VGT has yielded a comparatively higher 24.14% 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%

VGT

• 1D: -0.95%
• 1M: -1.88%
• 6M: 20.32%
• YTD: 20.52%
• 1Y: 32.19%
• 3Y*: 26.68%
• 5Y*: 17.70%
• 10Y*: 24.14%
• ALL TIME*: 14.86%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
NLR VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF	$52.35M	$49.22M	$61.68M
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	$496.23M	$516.61M	$562.67M

NLR vs. VGT - 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%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	20.52%	21.77%	29.30%	52.66%	-29.70%	30.45%	46.04%	48.62%	2.46%	37.08%

Correlation

The correlation between NLR and VGT is 0.61, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.61
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.52
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.53
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 15, 2007	0.53

The correlation between NLR and VGT shifts across timeframes, from 0.47 (10 years) to 0.61 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

NLR vs. VGT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NLR	VGT
Energy	50.0%	0.3%
Utilities	31.5%	-
Industrials	17.1%	0.4%
Basic Materials	2.3%	0.0%
Technology	1.6%	98.6%
Communication Services	-	0.5%
Consumer Cyclical	-	0.1%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	0.5%
Healthcare	-	0.0%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

NLR vs. VGT — Risk / Return Rank

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

NLR

NLR Risk / Return Rank: 10
NLR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
NLR Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
NLR Omega Ratio Rank: 11
NLR Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
NLR Martin Ratio Rank: 10

VGT

VGT Risk / Return Rank: 55
VGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
VGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
VGT Omega Ratio Rank: 54
VGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
VGT Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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. VGT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NLR) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). 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	VGT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.19	1.38	-1.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.03	1.88	-1.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.24	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.22	1.99	-2.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.48	5.55	-6.04

NLR vs. VGT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NLR Sharpe Ratio is -0.19, which is lower than the VGT Sharpe Ratio of 1.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NLR and VGT, 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. VGT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NLR drawdown since its inception was -65.05%, which is greater than VGT's maximum drawdown of -54.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NLR and VGT.

Drawdown Indicators

	NLR	VGT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.05%	-54.63%	-10.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-36.61%	-16.40%	-20.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-36.61%	-27.23%	-9.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.61%	-35.07%	-1.54%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.61%	-35.07%	-1.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-34.23%	-9.81%	-24.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-35.67%	-7.95%	-27.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	16.73%	5.87%	+10.86%

Volatility

NLR vs. VGT - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NLR) has a higher volatility of 10.60% compared to Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) at 7.50%. This indicates that NLR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NLR	VGT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.60%	7.50%	+3.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	32.75%	19.46%	+13.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	43.30%	23.59%	+19.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.96%	25.70%	+4.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.47%	24.82%	-0.35%

NLR vs. VGT - Expense Ratio Comparison

NLR has a 0.56% expense ratio, which is higher than VGT's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

NLR vs. VGT - Dividend Comparison

NLR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.93%, more than VGT's 0.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	0.38%	0.40%	0.60%	0.65%	0.91%	0.64%	0.82%	1.11%	1.29%	0.99%	1.31%	1.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NLR and VGT in my portfolio?

NLR and VGT have a correlation of 0.61, 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 VGT?

NLR has higher volatility (10.60%) compared to VGT (7.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NLR dropped -65.05% vs VGT's -54.63%.

Which ETF is better, NLR or VGT?

On 10-year performance, VGT leads with 24.14% vs 10.96% for NLR. On fees, VGT is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VGT has been the lower-risk option at 7.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NLR or VGT?

Over the 10-year period, VGT has performed better with a 24.14% return vs 10.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NLR or VGT?

VGT is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.56% for NLR.

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

NLR has the higher dividend yield at 2.93%, compared with 0.38% for VGT.

What is the main difference between NLR and VGT?

NLR is categorized as Uranium, while VGT is Technology Equities. NLR tracks MVIS Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index, while VGT tracks MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.56% for NLR and 0.09% for VGT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.38 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.