URAN vs. NLR

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

URAN (Themes Uranium & Nuclear ETF) and NLR (VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF) are both Uranium funds - URAN tracks the BITA Global Uranium and Nuclear Select Index while NLR tracks the MVIS Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, URAN returned -0.25% vs -2.28% for NLR. Their correlation of 0.95 means they have usually moved in the same direction. URAN charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.56%/yr for NLR.

Performance

URAN vs. NLR - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, URAN achieves a -12.41% return, which is significantly higher than NLR's -13.99% return.

URAN

• 1D: -0.98%
• 1M: -4.79%
• 6M: -26.75%
• YTD: -12.41%
• 1Y: -0.25%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 17.93%

NLR

• 1D: -1.41%
• 1M: -7.05%
• 6M: -28.16%
• YTD: -13.99%
• 1Y: -2.28%
• 3Y*: 23.67%
• 5Y*: 18.29%
• 10Y*: 11.00%
• ALL TIME*: 3.29%

*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	$43.05M	$48.38M	$60.74M
URAN Themes Uranium & Nuclear ETF	$140.10K	$486.39K	$433.21K

URAN vs. NLR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
URAN Themes Uranium & Nuclear ETF	-12.41%	49.05%	3.89%
NLR VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF	-13.99%	56.50%	-0.39%

Correlation

The correlation between URAN and NLR is 0.95, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 2024	0.95

The correlation between URAN and NLR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

URAN vs. NLR — Risk / Return Rank

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

URAN

URAN Risk / Return Rank: 11
URAN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
URAN Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
URAN Omega Ratio Rank: 12
URAN Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
URAN Martin Ratio Rank: 10

NLR

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

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.

URAN vs. NLR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Themes Uranium & Nuclear ETF (URAN) and VanEck Uranium and Nuclear 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.

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.

	URAN	NLR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.05	-0.10	+0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.22	0.16	+0.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.02	1.02	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.06	-0.12	+0.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.11	-0.26	+0.14

URAN vs. NLR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current URAN Sharpe Ratio is -0.05, which is higher than the NLR Sharpe Ratio of -0.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of URAN 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.

Drawdowns

URAN vs. NLR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum URAN drawdown since its inception was -35.21%, smaller than the maximum NLR drawdown of -65.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for URAN and NLR.

Drawdown Indicators

	URAN	NLR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.21%	-65.05%	+29.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-35.21%	-37.52%	+2.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-37.52%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-37.52%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-37.52%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-33.51%	-35.01%	+1.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.37%	-35.67%	+23.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	17.37%	17.42%	-0.05%

Volatility

URAN vs. NLR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Themes Uranium & Nuclear ETF (URAN) is 9.49%, while VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NLR) has a volatility of 12.90%. This indicates that URAN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NLR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	URAN	NLR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.49%	12.90%	-3.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	29.24%	32.42%	-3.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	40.04%	43.80%	-3.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	38.93%	30.13%	+8.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	38.93%	24.58%	+14.35%

URAN vs. NLR - Expense Ratio Comparison

URAN has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than NLR's 0.56% expense ratio.

Dividends

URAN vs. NLR - Dividend Comparison

URAN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.93%, less than NLR's 2.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NLR VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF	2.96%	2.55%	0.76%	4.54%	2.02%	1.99%	2.23%	2.21%	3.91%	4.86%	3.62%	3.30%
URAN Themes Uranium & Nuclear ETF	2.93%	2.56%	0.21%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both URAN and NLR in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, URAN and NLR move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, URAN or NLR?

NLR has higher volatility (12.90%) compared to URAN (9.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, URAN dropped -35.21% vs NLR's -65.05%.

Which ETF is better, URAN or NLR?

On 1-year performance, URAN leads with -0.25% vs -2.28% for NLR. On fees, URAN is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, URAN has been the lower-risk option at 9.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, URAN or NLR?

Over the 1-year period, URAN has performed better with a -0.25% return vs -2.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, URAN or NLR?

URAN is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.56% for NLR.

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

NLR has the higher dividend yield at 2.96%, compared with 2.93% for URAN.

What is the main difference between URAN and NLR?

URAN tracks BITA Global Uranium and Nuclear Select Index, while NLR tracks MVIS Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index. They also come from different issuers: Themes and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for URAN and 0.56% for NLR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

URAN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.05 vs -0.10), 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.