URNJ vs. NIKL

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

URNJ (Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF) and NIKL (Sprott Nickel Miners ETF) are both Energy Equities funds from Sprott - URNJ tracks the Nasdaq Sprott Junior Uranium Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross while NIKL tracks the Nasdaq Sprott Nickel Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, URNJ returned 23.94%/yr vs -3.02%/yr for NIKL. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. URNJ charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for NIKL.

Performance

URNJ vs. NIKL - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, URNJ achieves a 9.96% return, which is significantly higher than NIKL's -7.50% return.

URNJ

• 1D: -1.95%
• 1M: -7.79%
• YTD: 9.96%
• 6M: 3.54%
• 1Y: 58.13%
• 3Y*: 23.94%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

NIKL

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: -13.19%
• YTD: -7.50%
• 6M: 4.95%
• 1Y: 27.58%
• 3Y*: -3.02%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

URNJ vs. NIKL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
URNJ Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF	9.96%	45.35%	-18.34%	68.13%
NIKL Sprott Nickel Miners ETF	-7.50%	52.05%	-22.48%	-17.88%

Correlation

The correlation between URNJ and NIKL 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	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 23, 2023	0.42

The correlation between URNJ and NIKL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.42 to 0.52 - a consistent structural relationship.

URNJ vs. NIKL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	URNJ	NIKL
Energy	95.1%	-
Basic Materials	4.9%	100.0%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

URNJ vs. NIKL — Risk / Return Rank

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

URNJ

URNJ Risk / Return Rank: 29
URNJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
URNJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
URNJ Omega Ratio Rank: 28
URNJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
URNJ Martin Ratio Rank: 25

NIKL

NIKL Risk / Return Rank: 21
NIKL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
NIKL Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
NIKL Omega Ratio Rank: 22
NIKL Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
NIKL Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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. NIKL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF (URNJ) and Sprott Nickel Miners ETF (NIKL). 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	NIKL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.96	0.66	+0.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.63	1.17	+0.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.14	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.64	0.93	+0.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.32	2.23	+1.09
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. NIKL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current URNJ Sharpe Ratio is 0.96, which is higher than the NIKL Sharpe Ratio of 0.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of URNJ and NIKL, 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	NIKL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96	0.66	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.27	-0.10	+0.38

Drawdowns

URNJ vs. NIKL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum URNJ drawdown since its inception was -59.21%, roughly equal to the maximum NIKL drawdown of -60.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for URNJ and NIKL.

Drawdown Indicators

	URNJ	NIKL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.21%	-60.23%	+1.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-35.54%	-29.87%	-5.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-59.21%	-60.23%	+1.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-31.46%	-29.33%	-2.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.18%	-26.58%	+5.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	17.58%	12.42%	+5.16%

Volatility

URNJ vs. NIKL - Volatility Comparison

Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF (URNJ) has a higher volatility of 17.47% compared to Sprott Nickel Miners ETF (NIKL) at 15.35%. This indicates that URNJ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NIKL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	URNJ	NIKL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	17.47%	15.35%	+2.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	45.56%	35.55%	+10.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	61.05%	42.12%	+18.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	53.32%	32.60%	+20.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	53.32%	32.60%	+20.72%

URNJ vs. NIKL - Expense Ratio Comparison

URNJ has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than NIKL's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

URNJ vs. NIKL - Dividend Comparison

URNJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.99%, more than NIKL's 2.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
NIKL Sprott Nickel Miners ETF	2.73%	2.53%	3.49%	19.52%
URNJ Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF	5.99%	6.58%	4.33%	4.03%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both URNJ and NIKL in my portfolio?

URNJ and NIKL 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 NIKL?

URNJ has higher volatility (17.47%) compared to NIKL (15.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, URNJ dropped -59.21% vs NIKL's -60.23%.

Which ETF is better, URNJ or NIKL?

On 3-year performance, URNJ leads with 23.94% vs -3.02% for NIKL. On fees, NIKL is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, NIKL has been the lower-risk option at 15.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, URNJ or NIKL?

Over the 3-year period, URNJ has performed better with a 23.94% return vs -3.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, URNJ or NIKL?

NIKL is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for URNJ.

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

URNJ has the higher dividend yield at 5.99%, compared with 2.73% for NIKL.

What is the main difference between URNJ and NIKL?

URNJ tracks Nasdaq Sprott Junior Uranium Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while NIKL tracks Nasdaq Sprott Nickel Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for URNJ and 0.75% for NIKL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

URNJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.96 vs 0.66), 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.