URNJ vs. GBUG

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

URNJ (Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF) and GBUG (Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - URNJ is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Sprott Junior Uranium Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while GBUG is a Gold fund actively managed by Sprott. URNJ is passively managed, while GBUG is actively managed. Over the past year, URNJ returned 41.21% vs 46.03% for GBUG. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. URNJ charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for GBUG.

Performance

URNJ vs. GBUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF (URNJ) and Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF (GBUG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, URNJ achieves a -2.54% return, which is significantly higher than GBUG's -11.03% return.

URNJ

• 1D: -11.37%
• 1M: -24.24%
• YTD: -2.54%
• 6M: -4.36%
• 1Y: 41.21%
• 3Y*: 19.64%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GBUG

• 1D: -9.73%
• 1M: -15.35%
• YTD: -11.03%
• 6M: -2.89%
• 1Y: 46.03%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

URNJ vs. GBUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
URNJ Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF	-2.54%	53.88%
GBUG Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF	-11.03%	119.00%

Correlation

The correlation between URNJ and GBUG 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 21, 2025	0.48

The correlation between URNJ and GBUG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.48 to 0.52 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

URNJ vs. GBUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

URNJ

URNJ Risk / Return Rank: 23
URNJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
URNJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
URNJ Omega Ratio Rank: 24
URNJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
URNJ Martin Ratio Rank: 21

GBUG

GBUG Risk / Return Rank: 28
GBUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
GBUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
GBUG Omega Ratio Rank: 30
GBUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
GBUG Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

URNJ vs. GBUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF (URNJ) and Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF (GBUG). 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.

	URNJ	GBUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.67	0.95	-0.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.30	1.38	-0.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.19	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.05	1.39	-0.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.33	3.65	-1.32
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

URNJ vs. GBUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current URNJ Sharpe Ratio is 0.67, which is comparable to the GBUG Sharpe Ratio of 0.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of URNJ and GBUG, 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

	URNJ	GBUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.67	0.95	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.19	1.42	-1.22

Drawdowns

URNJ vs. GBUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum URNJ drawdown since its inception was -59.21%, which is greater than GBUG's maximum drawdown of -33.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for URNJ and GBUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	URNJ	GBUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.21%	-33.18%	-26.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-39.25%	-33.18%	-6.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-59.21%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-39.25%	-33.18%	-6.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.20%	-7.75%	-13.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	17.75%	12.70%	+5.05%

Volatility

URNJ vs. GBUG - Volatility Comparison

Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF (URNJ) has a higher volatility of 19.03% compared to Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF (GBUG) at 16.65%. This indicates that URNJ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GBUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	URNJ	GBUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	19.03%	16.65%	+2.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	47.01%	40.73%	+6.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	62.14%	48.66%	+13.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	53.66%	48.05%	+5.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	53.66%	48.05%	+5.61%

URNJ vs. GBUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

URNJ has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is lower than GBUG's 0.89% expense ratio.

Dividends

URNJ vs. GBUG - Dividend Comparison

URNJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.75%, more than GBUG's 1.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
GBUG Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF	1.75%	1.56%	0.00%	0.00%
URNJ Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF	6.75%	6.58%	4.33%	4.03%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both URNJ and GBUG in my portfolio?

URNJ and GBUG 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, URNJ or GBUG?

URNJ has higher volatility (19.03%) compared to GBUG (16.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, URNJ dropped -59.21% vs GBUG's -33.18%.

Which ETF is better, URNJ or GBUG?

On 1-year performance, GBUG leads with 46.03% vs 41.21% for URNJ. On fees, URNJ is cheaper at 0.80% per year. On volatility, GBUG has been the lower-risk option at 16.65%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, URNJ or GBUG?

Over the 1-year period, GBUG has performed better with a 46.03% return vs 41.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, URNJ or GBUG?

URNJ is cheaper with a 0.80% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for GBUG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, URNJ or GBUG?

URNJ has the higher dividend yield at 6.75%, compared with 1.75% for GBUG.

What is the main difference between URNJ and GBUG?

URNJ is categorized as Energy Equities, while GBUG is Gold. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for URNJ and 0.89% for GBUG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GBUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.95 vs 0.67), 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.