URNJ vs. NLR

Last updated Jul 18, 2026

URNJ (Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF) and NLR (VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF) are both Uranium funds - URNJ tracks the Nasdaq Sprott Junior Uranium Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross while NLR tracks the MVIS Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, URNJ returned 12.52%/yr vs 22.80%/yr for NLR. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. URNJ charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.56%/yr for NLR.

Performance

URNJ vs. NLR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF (URNJ) 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, URNJ achieves a -14.68% return, which is significantly higher than NLR's -16.10% return.

URNJ

• 1D: -1.06%
• 1M: -17.53%
• 6M: -32.52%
• YTD: -14.68%
• 1Y: 3.42%
• 3Y*: 12.52%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

NLR

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: -16.41%
• 6M: -29.85%
• YTD: -16.10%
• 1Y: -7.56%
• 3Y*: 22.80%
• 5Y*: 17.39%
• 10Y*: 10.66%

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

URNJ vs. NLR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
URNJ Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF	-14.68%	45.35%	-18.34%	18.66%
NLR VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF	-16.10%	56.50%	14.26%	27.35%

Correlation

The correlation between URNJ and NLR is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2023	0.88

The correlation between URNJ and NLR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

URNJ vs. NLR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	URNJ	NLR
Energy	95.3%	48.0%
Basic Materials	4.7%	2.3%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	18.9%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	1.8%
Utilities	-	29.2%

Return for Risk

URNJ vs. NLR — Risk / Return Rank

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

URNJ

URNJ Risk / Return Rank: 12
URNJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
URNJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
URNJ Omega Ratio Rank: 14
URNJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
URNJ Martin Ratio Rank: 11

NLR

NLR Risk / Return Rank: 8
NLR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
NLR Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
NLR Omega Ratio Rank: 9
NLR Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
NLR Martin Ratio Rank: 7

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. NLR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF (URNJ) 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.

	URNJ	NLR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.06	-0.18	+0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.53	0.05	+0.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.06	1.01	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.07	-0.21	+0.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.15	-0.47	+0.62

URNJ vs. NLR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current URNJ Sharpe Ratio is 0.06, which is higher than the NLR Sharpe Ratio of -0.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of URNJ 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

URNJ vs. NLR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum URNJ drawdown since its inception was -59.21%, smaller than the maximum NLR drawdown of -65.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for URNJ and NLR.

Drawdown Indicators

	URNJ	NLR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.21%	-65.05%	+5.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-46.82%	-36.61%	-10.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-59.21%	-36.61%	-22.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-36.61%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.61%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-46.82%	-36.61%	-10.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.97%	-35.67%	+13.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	22.42%	16.04%	+6.38%

Volatility

URNJ vs. NLR - Volatility Comparison

Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF (URNJ) has a higher volatility of 12.96% compared to VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NLR) at 9.40%. This indicates that URNJ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NLR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	URNJ	NLR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.96%	9.40%	+3.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	45.59%	32.61%	+12.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	62.12%	43.12%	+19.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	53.55%	29.89%	+23.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	53.55%	24.42%	+29.13%

URNJ vs. NLR - Expense Ratio Comparison

URNJ has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than NLR's 0.56% expense ratio.

Dividends

URNJ vs. NLR - Dividend Comparison

URNJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.72%, more than NLR's 3.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NLR VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF	3.04%	2.55%	0.76%	4.54%	2.02%	1.99%	2.23%	2.21%	3.91%	4.86%	3.62%	3.30%
URNJ Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF	7.72%	6.58%	4.33%	4.03%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both URNJ and NLR in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, URNJ 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, URNJ or NLR?

URNJ has higher volatility (12.96%) compared to NLR (9.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, URNJ dropped -59.21% vs NLR's -65.05%.

Which ETF is better, URNJ or NLR?

On 3-year performance, NLR leads with 22.80% vs 12.52% for URNJ. On fees, NLR is cheaper at 0.56% per year. On volatility, NLR has been the lower-risk option at 9.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, URNJ or NLR?

Over the 3-year period, NLR has performed better with a 22.80% return vs 12.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, URNJ or NLR?

NLR is cheaper with a 0.56% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for URNJ.

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

URNJ has the higher dividend yield at 7.72%, compared with 3.04% for NLR.

What is the main difference between URNJ and NLR?

URNJ tracks Nasdaq Sprott Junior Uranium Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while NLR tracks MVIS Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index. They also come from different issuers: Sprott and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for URNJ and 0.56% for NLR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

URNJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.06 vs -0.18), 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.