REMX vs. NLR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

REMX (VanEck Vectors Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF) and NLR (VanEck Vectors Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - REMX is a Materials fund tracking the MVIS Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index, while NLR is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the DAXglobal Nuclear Energy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, REMX returned 10.14%/yr vs 13.66%/yr for NLR. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. REMX charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for NLR.

Performance

REMX vs. NLR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) and VanEck Vectors Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF (NLR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, REMX achieves a 33.01% return, which is significantly higher than NLR's 6.14% return. Over the past 10 years, REMX has underperformed NLR with an annualized return of 10.14%, while NLR has yielded a comparatively higher 13.66% annualized return.

REMX

• 1D: -3.78%
• 1M: -3.72%
• YTD: 33.01%
• 6M: 37.14%
• 1Y: 172.35%
• 3Y*: 6.84%
• 5Y*: 4.50%
• 10Y*: 10.14%

NLR

• 1D: -4.59%
• 1M: -8.11%
• YTD: 6.14%
• 6M: 1.51%
• 1Y: 36.84%
• 3Y*: 35.11%
• 5Y*: 21.94%
• 10Y*: 13.66%

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

REMX vs. NLR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
REMX VanEck Vectors Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF	33.01%	92.95%	-35.02%	-19.18%	-31.13%	79.81%	64.82%	0.74%	-49.63%	82.60%
NLR VanEck Vectors Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF	6.14%	56.50%	14.26%	36.67%	2.29%	13.63%	3.49%	0.20%	4.94%	8.25%

Correlation

The correlation between REMX and NLR is 0.52, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.47
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.41
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 29, 2010	0.45

The correlation between REMX and NLR shifts across timeframes, from 0.41 (10 years) to 0.52 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

REMX vs. NLR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	REMX	NLR
Basic Materials	100.0%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	46.0%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	15.1%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	1.5%
Utilities	-	37.4%

Return for Risk

REMX vs. NLR — Risk / Return Rank

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

REMX

REMX Risk / Return Rank: 87
REMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
REMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
REMX Omega Ratio Rank: 75
REMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
REMX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

NLR

NLR Risk / Return Rank: 25
NLR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
NLR Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
NLR Omega Ratio Rank: 24
NLR Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
NLR Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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.

REMX vs. NLR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) and VanEck Vectors Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF (NLR). 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.

	REMX	NLR	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.61	0.88	+2.73
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.66	1.43	+2.23
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.17	+0.29
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.43	1.43	+5.99
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	21.32	2.93	+18.39
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

REMX vs. NLR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current REMX Sharpe Ratio is 3.61, which is higher than the NLR Sharpe Ratio of 0.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of REMX and NLR, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	REMX	NLR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.61	0.88	+2.73
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11	0.75	-0.64
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.28	0.57	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.08	0.18	-0.25

Drawdowns

REMX vs. NLR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum REMX drawdown since its inception was -90.20%, which is greater than NLR's maximum drawdown of -65.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for REMX and NLR.

Drawdown Indicators

	REMX	NLR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.20%	-65.05%	-25.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.35%	-25.80%	+2.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-62.11%	-30.48%	-31.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-73.34%	-30.48%	-42.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-73.34%	-34.35%	-38.99%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-54.98%	-19.80%	-35.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-66.87%	-35.72%	-31.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.12%	12.61%	-4.49%

Volatility

REMX vs. NLR - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Vectors Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) and VanEck Vectors Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF (NLR) have volatilities of 13.02% and 13.18%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	REMX	NLR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.02%	13.18%	-0.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	34.77%	32.83%	+1.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	48.11%	42.32%	+5.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	40.24%	29.24%	+11.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	36.94%	24.02%	+12.92%

REMX vs. NLR - Expense Ratio Comparison

REMX has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than NLR's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

REMX vs. NLR - Dividend Comparison

REMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.32%, less than NLR's 2.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NLR VanEck Vectors Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF	2.40%	2.55%	0.76%	4.54%	2.02%	1.99%	2.23%	2.21%	3.91%	4.86%	3.62%	3.30%
REMX VanEck Vectors Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF	1.32%	1.76%	2.56%	0.00%	1.56%	5.25%	0.81%	1.64%	12.43%	2.89%	2.23%	4.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both REMX and NLR in my portfolio?

REMX and NLR have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, REMX or NLR?

NLR has higher volatility (13.18%) compared to REMX (13.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, REMX dropped -90.20% vs NLR's -65.05%.

Which ETF is better, REMX or NLR?

On 10-year performance, NLR leads with 13.66% vs 10.14% for REMX. On fees, REMX is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, REMX has been the lower-risk option at 13.02%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, REMX or NLR?

Over the 10-year period, NLR has performed better with a 13.66% return vs 10.14%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, REMX or NLR?

REMX is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for NLR.

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

NLR has the higher dividend yield at 2.40%, compared with 1.32% for REMX.

What is the main difference between REMX and NLR?

REMX is categorized as Materials, while NLR is Alternative Energy Equities. REMX tracks MVIS Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index, while NLR tracks DAXglobal Nuclear Energy Index. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for REMX and 0.60% for NLR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

REMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.61 vs 0.88), 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.