XLB vs. NLR

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

XLB (Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF) and NLR (VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLB is a Materials fund tracking the Materials Select Sector Index, while NLR is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the MVIS Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XLB returned 9.85%/yr vs 12.72%/yr for NLR. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XLB charges 0.13%/yr vs 0.56%/yr for NLR.

Performance

XLB vs. NLR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB) 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, XLB achieves a 10.66% return, which is significantly higher than NLR's -0.79% return. Over the past 10 years, XLB has underperformed NLR with an annualized return of 9.85%, while NLR has yielded a comparatively higher 12.72% annualized return.

XLB

• 1D: -1.32%
• 1M: -3.16%
• YTD: 10.66%
• 6M: 16.01%
• 1Y: 16.06%
• 3Y*: 10.29%
• 5Y*: 5.04%
• 10Y*: 9.85%

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)

XLB vs. NLR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF	10.66%	9.94%	0.15%	12.46%	-12.30%	27.44%	20.46%	24.13%	-14.88%	24.01%
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 XLB and NLR is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.37
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.41
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 16, 2007	0.58

Over the past year, the correlation between XLB and NLR has dropped to 0.37 - well below their long-term average of 0.58, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

XLB vs. NLR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLB	NLR
Basic Materials	87.6%	-
Consumer Cyclical	12.4%	-
Industrials	1.5%	15.1%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	46.0%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	1.5%
Utilities	-	37.4%

Return for Risk

XLB vs. NLR — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLB

XLB Risk / Return Rank: 29
XLB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
XLB Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
XLB Omega Ratio Rank: 27
XLB Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
XLB Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

XLB vs. NLR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB) 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.

	XLB	NLR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.95	0.63	+0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.43	1.13	+0.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.13	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.30	1.04	+0.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.02	2.08	+1.94
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XLB vs. NLR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLB Sharpe Ratio is 0.95, which is higher than the NLR Sharpe Ratio of 0.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLB 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

	XLB	NLR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95	0.63	+0.33
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27	0.69	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	0.53	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.35	0.16	+0.19

Drawdowns

XLB vs. NLR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLB drawdown since its inception was -59.83%, smaller than the maximum NLR drawdown of -65.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLB and NLR.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLB	NLR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.83%	-65.05%	+5.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.38%	-25.80%	+13.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.17%	-30.48%	+7.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.72%	-30.48%	+5.76%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.27%	-34.35%	-2.92%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.41%	-25.03%	+18.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.84%	-35.71%	+24.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.00%	12.87%	-8.87%

Volatility

XLB vs. NLR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB) is 5.32%, while VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NLR) has a volatility of 13.36%. This indicates that XLB 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

	XLB	NLR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.32%	13.36%	-8.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.02%	33.24%	-20.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.95%	42.96%	-26.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.96%	29.43%	-10.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.66%	24.14%	-3.48%

XLB vs. NLR - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLB has a 0.13% expense ratio, which is lower than NLR's 0.56% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLB vs. NLR - Dividend Comparison

XLB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.75%, 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%
XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.75%	1.92%	1.92%	2.00%	2.26%	1.62%	1.72%	1.98%	2.20%	1.66%	1.95%	2.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XLB and NLR in my portfolio?

XLB and NLR have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XLB or NLR?

NLR has higher volatility (13.36%) compared to XLB (5.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLB dropped -59.83% vs NLR's -65.05%.

Which ETF is better, XLB or NLR?

On 10-year performance, NLR leads with 12.72% vs 9.85% for XLB. On fees, XLB is cheaper at 0.13% per year. On volatility, XLB has been the lower-risk option at 5.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XLB or NLR?

Over the 10-year period, NLR has performed better with a 12.72% return vs 9.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLB or NLR?

XLB is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.56% for NLR.

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

NLR has the higher dividend yield at 2.57%, compared with 1.75% for XLB.

What is the main difference between XLB and NLR?

XLB is categorized as Materials, while NLR is Alternative Energy Equities. XLB tracks Materials Select Sector Index, while NLR tracks MVIS Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.13% for XLB and 0.56% for NLR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.95 vs 0.63), 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.