URNJ vs. QTUM

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

URNJ (Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF) and QTUM (Defiance Quantum ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - URNJ is a Uranium fund tracking the Nasdaq Sprott Junior Uranium Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while QTUM is a Technology Equities fund tracking the BlueStar Machine Learning and Quantum Computing Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, URNJ returned 17.79%/yr vs 50.10%/yr for QTUM. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. URNJ charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for QTUM.

Performance

URNJ vs. QTUM - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, URNJ achieves a -7.34% return, which is significantly lower than QTUM's 46.66% return.

URNJ

• 1D: -2.14%
• 1M: -16.87%
• YTD: -7.34%
• 6M: -10.57%
• 1Y: 23.64%
• 3Y*: 17.79%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QTUM

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: 1.19%
• YTD: 46.66%
• 6M: 44.23%
• 1Y: 79.78%
• 3Y*: 50.10%
• 5Y*: 27.89%
• 10Y*: —

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

URNJ vs. QTUM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
URNJ Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF	-7.34%	45.35%	-18.34%	18.66%
QTUM Defiance Quantum ETF	46.66%	36.65%	50.54%	21.07%

Correlation

The correlation between URNJ and QTUM is 0.51, 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	0.51
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.41
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2023	0.41

The correlation between URNJ and QTUM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.41 to 0.51 - a consistent structural relationship.

URNJ vs. QTUM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	URNJ	QTUM
Energy	95.3%	-
Basic Materials	4.7%	-
Communication Services	-	6.6%
Consumer Cyclical	-	2.1%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	0.0%
Healthcare	-	1.0%
Industrials	-	8.8%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	81.6%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

URNJ vs. QTUM — Risk / Return Rank

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

URNJ

URNJ Risk / Return Rank: 16
URNJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
URNJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
URNJ Omega Ratio Rank: 18
URNJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
URNJ Martin Ratio Rank: 15

QTUM

QTUM Risk / Return Rank: 89
QTUM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
QTUM Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
QTUM Omega Ratio Rank: 84
QTUM Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
QTUM Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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. QTUM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF (URNJ) and Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM). 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	QTUM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.38	2.76	-2.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.97	3.27	-2.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.44	-0.33
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.54	5.26	-4.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.20	18.84	-17.64

URNJ vs. QTUM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current URNJ Sharpe Ratio is 0.38, which is lower than the QTUM Sharpe Ratio of 2.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of URNJ and QTUM, 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. QTUM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum URNJ drawdown since its inception was -59.21%, which is greater than QTUM's maximum drawdown of -38.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for URNJ and QTUM.

Drawdown Indicators

	URNJ	QTUM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.21%	-38.45%	-20.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-43.66%	-15.26%	-28.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-59.21%	-25.39%	-33.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-38.45%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-42.25%	-4.89%	-37.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.59%	-8.22%	-13.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	19.82%	4.25%	+15.57%

Volatility

URNJ vs. QTUM - Volatility Comparison

Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF (URNJ) has a higher volatility of 19.26% compared to Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM) at 14.51%. This indicates that URNJ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QTUM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	URNJ	QTUM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	19.26%	14.51%	+4.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	46.52%	23.72%	+22.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	61.93%	29.11%	+32.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	53.65%	27.18%	+26.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	53.65%	27.47%	+26.18%

URNJ vs. QTUM - Expense Ratio Comparison

URNJ has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than QTUM's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

URNJ vs. QTUM - Dividend Comparison

URNJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.10%, more than QTUM's 0.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
QTUM Defiance Quantum ETF	0.73%	1.01%	0.61%	0.81%	1.46%	0.48%	0.42%	0.61%	0.21%
URNJ Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF	7.10%	6.58%	4.33%	4.03%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both URNJ and QTUM in my portfolio?

URNJ and QTUM have a correlation of 0.51, 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 QTUM?

URNJ has higher volatility (19.26%) compared to QTUM (14.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, URNJ dropped -59.21% vs QTUM's -38.45%.

Which ETF is better, URNJ or QTUM?

On 3-year performance, QTUM leads with 50.10% vs 17.79% for URNJ. On fees, QTUM is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, QTUM has been the lower-risk option at 14.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, URNJ or QTUM?

Over the 3-year period, QTUM has performed better with a 50.10% return vs 17.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, URNJ or QTUM?

QTUM is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for URNJ.

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

URNJ has the higher dividend yield at 7.10%, compared with 0.73% for QTUM.

What is the main difference between URNJ and QTUM?

URNJ is categorized as Uranium, while QTUM is Technology Equities. URNJ tracks Nasdaq Sprott Junior Uranium Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while QTUM tracks BlueStar Machine Learning and Quantum Computing Index. They also come from different issuers: Sprott and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for URNJ and 0.40% for QTUM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QTUM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.76 vs 0.38), 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.