URNM vs. VXUS

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

URNM (Sprott Uranium Miners ETF) and VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - URNM is a Uranium fund tracking the VettaFi Global Uranium Miners Index, while VXUS is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, URNM returned 12.61%/yr vs 8.32%/yr for VXUS. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. URNM charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VXUS.

Performance

URNM vs. VXUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sprott Uranium Miners ETF (URNM) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, URNM achieves a -0.56% return, which is significantly lower than VXUS's 13.69% return.

URNM

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: -9.26%
• YTD: -0.56%
• 6M: -0.53%
• 1Y: 30.38%
• 3Y*: 20.14%
• 5Y*: 12.61%
• 10Y*: —

VXUS

• 1D: 0.40%
• 1M: 3.09%
• YTD: 13.69%
• 6M: 15.52%
• 1Y: 30.12%
• 3Y*: 18.37%
• 5Y*: 8.32%
• 10Y*: 10.22%

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

URNM vs. VXUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
URNM Sprott Uranium Miners ETF	-0.56%	40.78%	-14.13%	57.80%	-11.86%	78.32%	68.36%	4.05%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	13.69%	32.35%	5.08%	15.86%	-16.08%	8.98%	10.66%	5.16%

Correlation

The correlation between URNM and VXUS is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.43
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2019	0.53

The correlation between URNM and VXUS shifts across timeframes, from 0.43 (3 years) to 0.53 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

URNM vs. VXUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	URNM	VXUS
Energy	97.7%	5.2%
Basic Materials	2.3%	7.6%
Communication Services	-	4.4%
Consumer Cyclical	-	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	-	5.0%
Financial Services	-	22.3%
Healthcare	-	7.1%
Industrials	-	16.1%
Real Estate	-	2.6%
Technology	-	18.1%
Utilities	-	3.2%

Return for Risk

URNM vs. VXUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

URNM

URNM Risk / Return Rank: 22
URNM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
URNM Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
URNM Omega Ratio Rank: 23
URNM Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
URNM Martin Ratio Rank: 20

VXUS

VXUS Risk / Return Rank: 61
VXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
VXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
VXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
VXUS 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.

URNM vs. VXUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Uranium Miners ETF (URNM) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS). 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.

	URNM	VXUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.60	1.77	-1.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.18	2.44	-1.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.33	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.82	2.53	-1.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.00	9.72	-7.72

URNM vs. VXUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current URNM Sharpe Ratio is 0.60, which is lower than the VXUS Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of URNM and VXUS, 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

URNM vs. VXUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum URNM drawdown since its inception was -50.78%, which is greater than VXUS's maximum drawdown of -35.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for URNM and VXUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	URNM	VXUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.78%	-35.97%	-14.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-38.72%	-11.27%	-27.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-50.78%	-13.58%	-37.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.78%	-29.44%	-21.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.97%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-35.02%	-1.47%	-33.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.09%	-8.21%	-9.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	15.78%	2.93%	+12.85%

Volatility

URNM vs. VXUS - Volatility Comparison

Sprott Uranium Miners ETF (URNM) has a higher volatility of 17.40% compared to Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) at 6.71%. This indicates that URNM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VXUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	URNM	VXUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	17.40%	6.71%	+10.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	41.84%	14.02%	+27.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	52.48%	16.09%	+36.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	48.58%	16.21%	+32.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	47.04%	17.20%	+29.84%

URNM vs. VXUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

URNM has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than VXUS's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

URNM vs. VXUS - Dividend Comparison

URNM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.19%, more than VXUS's 2.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
URNM Sprott Uranium Miners ETF	3.19%	3.18%	3.18%	3.63%	0.00%	6.70%	2.57%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	2.67%	3.18%	3.37%	3.24%	3.09%	3.10%	2.14%	3.06%	3.18%	2.73%	2.93%	2.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both URNM and VXUS in my portfolio?

URNM and VXUS have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, URNM or VXUS?

URNM has higher volatility (17.40%) compared to VXUS (6.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, URNM dropped -50.78% vs VXUS's -35.97%.

Which ETF is better, URNM or VXUS?

On 5-year performance, URNM leads with 12.61% vs 8.32% for VXUS. On fees, VXUS is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, VXUS has been the lower-risk option at 6.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, URNM or VXUS?

Over the 5-year period, URNM has performed better with a 12.61% return vs 8.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, URNM or VXUS?

VXUS is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for URNM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, URNM or VXUS?

URNM has the higher dividend yield at 3.19%, compared with 2.67% for VXUS.

What is the main difference between URNM and VXUS?

URNM is categorized as Uranium, while VXUS is Global Equities. URNM tracks VettaFi Global Uranium Miners Index, while VXUS tracks FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. They also come from different issuers: Sprott and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for URNM and 0.05% for VXUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VXUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 0.60), 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.