WM vs. NLR

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

WM (Waste Management, Inc.) is a stock, while NLR (VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF) is Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the MVIS Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index. Over the past 10 years, WM returned 15.25%/yr vs 12.72%/yr for NLR. At a 0.37 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

WM vs. NLR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Waste Management, Inc. (WM) and VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NLR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with WM having a -0.81% return and NLR slightly higher at -0.79%. Over the past 10 years, WM has outperformed NLR with an annualized return of 15.25%, while NLR has yielded a comparatively lower 12.72% annualized return.

WM

• 1D: -1.93%
• 1M: 0.79%
• YTD: -0.81%
• 6M: 3.67%
• 1Y: -7.08%
• 3Y*: 11.63%
• 5Y*: 10.86%
• 10Y*: 15.25%

NLR

• 1D: 0.91%
• 1M: -12.54%
• YTD: -0.79%
• 6M: -6.08%
• 1Y: 26.72%
• 3Y*: 31.16%
• 5Y*: 20.16%
• 10Y*: 12.72%

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

WM vs. NLR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WM Waste Management, Inc.	-0.81%	10.50%	14.28%	16.20%	-4.49%	43.82%	5.46%	30.45%	5.32%	24.46%
NLR VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF	-0.79%	56.50%	14.26%	36.67%	2.29%	13.63%	3.49%	0.20%	4.94%	8.25%

Correlation

The correlation between WM and NLR is -0.15, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.15
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.02
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.28
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 16, 2007	0.37

The correlation between WM and NLR shifts across timeframes, from -0.15 (1 year) to 0.37 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

WM vs. NLR — Risk / Return Rank

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

WM

WM Risk / Return Rank: 24
WM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
WM Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
WM Omega Ratio Rank: 23
WM Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
WM Martin Ratio Rank: 23

NLR

NLR Risk / Return Rank: 22
NLR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
NLR Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
NLR Omega Ratio Rank: 21
NLR Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
NLR Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

WM vs. NLR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Waste Management, Inc. (WM) 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.

	WM	NLR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.38	0.63	-1.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.41	1.13	-1.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.95	1.13	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.43	1.04	-1.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.95	2.08	-3.03
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WM vs. NLR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WM Sharpe Ratio is -0.38, which is lower than the NLR Sharpe Ratio of 0.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WM 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	WM	NLR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.38	0.63	-1.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59	0.69	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78	0.53	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	0.16	+0.20

Drawdowns

WM vs. NLR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WM drawdown since its inception was -77.85%, which is greater than NLR's maximum drawdown of -65.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WM and NLR.

Drawdown Indicators

	WM	NLR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.85%	-65.05%	-12.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.72%	-25.80%	+9.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.14%	-30.48%	+12.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.14%	-30.48%	+12.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.07%	-34.35%	+4.28%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.59%	-25.03%	+13.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.69%	-35.71%	+18.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.49%	12.87%	-5.38%

Volatility

WM vs. NLR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Waste Management, Inc. (WM) is 5.91%, while VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NLR) has a volatility of 13.36%. This indicates that WM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NLR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WM	NLR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.91%	13.36%	-7.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.69%	33.24%	-19.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.73%	42.96%	-24.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.55%	29.43%	-10.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.51%	24.14%	-4.63%

Dividends

WM vs. NLR - Dividend Comparison

WM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.64%, less than NLR's 2.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NLR VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF	2.57%	2.55%	0.76%	4.54%	2.02%	1.99%	2.23%	2.21%	3.91%	4.86%	3.62%	3.30%
WM Waste Management, Inc.	1.64%	1.50%	1.49%	1.56%	1.66%	1.38%	1.85%	1.80%	2.09%	1.97%	2.31%	2.89%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WM and NLR in my portfolio?

WM and NLR have a correlation of -0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WM or NLR?

NLR has higher volatility (13.36%) compared to WM (5.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WM dropped -77.85% vs NLR's -65.05%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NLR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.63 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.