URNJ vs. SETM

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

URNJ (Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF) and SETM (Sprott Critical Materials ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - URNJ is a Uranium fund tracking the Nasdaq Sprott Junior Uranium Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while SETM is a Materials fund tracking the Nasdaq Sprott Critical Materials Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, URNJ returned 17.79%/yr vs 23.87%/yr for SETM. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. URNJ charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for SETM.

Performance

URNJ vs. SETM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF (URNJ) and Sprott Critical Materials ETF (SETM). 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 SETM's 8.12% return.

URNJ

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

SETM

• 1D: -0.35%
• 1M: -13.27%
• YTD: 8.12%
• 6M: 5.43%
• 1Y: 88.77%
• 3Y*: 23.87%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

URNJ vs. SETM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
URNJ Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF	-7.34%	45.35%	-18.34%	18.66%
SETM Sprott Critical Materials ETF	8.12%	95.27%	-13.24%	-13.11%

Correlation

The correlation between URNJ and SETM is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2023	0.70

The correlation between URNJ and SETM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

URNJ vs. SETM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	URNJ	SETM
Energy	95.3%	22.9%
Basic Materials	4.7%	76.0%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	0.1%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	1.0%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	0.1%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

URNJ vs. SETM — 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

SETM

SETM Risk / Return Rank: 64
SETM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SETM Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
SETM Omega Ratio Rank: 55
SETM Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
SETM Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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. SETM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF (URNJ) and Sprott Critical Materials ETF (SETM). 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	SETM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.38	1.91	-1.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.97	2.30	-1.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.30	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.54	3.45	-2.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.20	9.64	-8.45

URNJ vs. SETM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current URNJ Sharpe Ratio is 0.38, which is lower than the SETM Sharpe Ratio of 1.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of URNJ and SETM, 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. SETM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum URNJ drawdown since its inception was -59.21%, which is greater than SETM's maximum drawdown of -42.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for URNJ and SETM.

Drawdown Indicators

	URNJ	SETM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.21%	-42.81%	-16.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-43.66%	-25.85%	-17.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-59.21%	-42.81%	-16.40%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-42.25%	-21.22%	-21.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.59%	-15.04%	-6.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	19.82%	9.24%	+10.58%

Volatility

URNJ vs. SETM - Volatility Comparison

Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF (URNJ) has a higher volatility of 19.26% compared to Sprott Critical Materials ETF (SETM) at 16.87%. This indicates that URNJ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SETM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	URNJ	SETM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	19.26%	16.87%	+2.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	46.52%	37.44%	+9.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	61.93%	46.76%	+15.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	53.65%	37.21%	+16.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	53.65%	37.21%	+16.44%

URNJ vs. SETM - Expense Ratio Comparison

URNJ has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than SETM's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

URNJ vs. SETM - Dividend Comparison

URNJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.10%, more than SETM's 1.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
SETM Sprott Critical Materials ETF	1.45%	1.56%	2.07%	2.47%
URNJ Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF	7.10%	6.58%	4.33%	4.03%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both URNJ and SETM in my portfolio?

URNJ and SETM have a correlation of 0.78, 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 SETM?

URNJ has higher volatility (19.26%) compared to SETM (16.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, URNJ dropped -59.21% vs SETM's -42.81%.

Which ETF is better, URNJ or SETM?

On 3-year performance, SETM leads with 23.87% vs 17.79% for URNJ. On fees, SETM is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, SETM has been the lower-risk option at 16.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, URNJ or SETM?

Over the 3-year period, SETM has performed better with a 23.87% 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 SETM?

SETM is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for URNJ.

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

URNJ has the higher dividend yield at 7.10%, compared with 1.45% for SETM.

What is the main difference between URNJ and SETM?

URNJ is categorized as Uranium, while SETM is Materials. URNJ tracks Nasdaq Sprott Junior Uranium Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while SETM tracks Nasdaq Sprott Critical Materials Index. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for URNJ and 0.65% for SETM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SETM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 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.