RCTR vs. LITP

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

RCTR (First Trust Bloomberg Nuclear Power ETF) and LITP (Sprott Lithium Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RCTR is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg Nuclear Power Index, while LITP is a Lithium & Battery Metals fund tracking the Nasdaq Sprott Lithium Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, RCTR returned 9.71% vs 63.07% for LITP. Their 0.48 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. RCTR charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for LITP.

Performance

RCTR vs. LITP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Bloomberg Nuclear Power ETF (RCTR) and Sprott Lithium Miners ETF (LITP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RCTR achieves a 0.61% return, which is significantly higher than LITP's -17.54% return.

RCTR

• 1D: -0.68%
• 1M: -2.79%
• 6M: -9.50%
• YTD: 0.61%
• 1Y: 9.71%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 7.30%

LITP

• 1D: -1.30%
• 1M: -19.49%
• 6M: -23.27%
• YTD: -17.54%
• 1Y: 63.07%
• 3Y*: -13.11%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• 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)
LITP Sprott Lithium Miners ETF	$235.50K	$292.96K	$956.89K
RCTR First Trust Bloomberg Nuclear Power ETF	$83.08K	$122.59K	$254.75K

RCTR vs. LITP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
RCTR First Trust Bloomberg Nuclear Power ETF	0.61%	6.65%
LITP Sprott Lithium Miners ETF	-17.54%	94.06%

Correlation

The correlation between RCTR and LITP is 0.48, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 31, 2025	0.48

Return for Risk

RCTR vs. LITP — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

RCTR

RCTR Risk / Return Rank: 18
RCTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
RCTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
RCTR Omega Ratio Rank: 17
RCTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
RCTR Martin Ratio Rank: 18

LITP

LITP Risk / Return Rank: 43
LITP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
LITP Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
LITP Omega Ratio Rank: 44
LITP Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
LITP Martin Ratio Rank: 37

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

RCTR vs. LITP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Bloomberg Nuclear Power ETF (RCTR) and Sprott Lithium Miners ETF (LITP). 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.

	RCTR	LITP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.30	1.09	-0.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.60	1.74	-1.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.20	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.42	1.41	-1.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.00	3.81	-2.81

RCTR vs. LITP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RCTR Sharpe Ratio is 0.30, which is lower than the LITP Sharpe Ratio of 1.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RCTR and LITP, 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

RCTR vs. LITP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RCTR drawdown since its inception was -18.98%, smaller than the maximum LITP drawdown of -74.94%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RCTR and LITP.

Drawdown Indicators

	RCTR	LITP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.98%	-74.94%	+55.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.98%	-45.50%	+26.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-70.76%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-16.26%	-45.32%	+29.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.09%	-42.29%	+36.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.86%	16.84%	-8.98%

Volatility

RCTR vs. LITP - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Bloomberg Nuclear Power ETF (RCTR) is 7.98%, while Sprott Lithium Miners ETF (LITP) has a volatility of 10.66%. This indicates that RCTR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than LITP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RCTR	LITP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.98%	10.66%	-2.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.49%	40.49%	-20.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.82%	58.82%	-32.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.82%	47.58%	-20.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.82%	47.58%	-20.76%

RCTR vs. LITP - Expense Ratio Comparison

RCTR has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than LITP's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

RCTR vs. LITP - Dividend Comparison

RCTR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.64%, less than LITP's 8.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
LITP Sprott Lithium Miners ETF	8.98%	7.41%	6.55%	2.80%
RCTR First Trust Bloomberg Nuclear Power ETF	0.64%	0.36%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RCTR and LITP in my portfolio?

RCTR and LITP have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RCTR or LITP?

LITP has higher volatility (10.66%) compared to RCTR (7.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RCTR dropped -18.98% vs LITP's -74.94%.

Which ETF is better, RCTR or LITP?

On 1-year performance, LITP leads with 63.07% vs 9.71% for RCTR. On fees, LITP is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, RCTR has been the lower-risk option at 7.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RCTR or LITP?

Over the 1-year period, LITP has performed better with a 63.07% return vs 9.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RCTR or LITP?

LITP is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for RCTR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RCTR or LITP?

LITP has the higher dividend yield at 8.98%, compared with 0.64% for RCTR.

What is the main difference between RCTR and LITP?

RCTR is categorized as Energy Equities, while LITP is Lithium & Battery Metals. RCTR tracks Bloomberg Nuclear Power Index, while LITP tracks Nasdaq Sprott Lithium Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Sprott. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for RCTR and 0.65% for LITP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LITP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.09 vs 0.29), 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.