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VanEck Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF(NLR)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for NLR
10/16/2026: NLR (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
The VanEck Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF (NLR) provides targeted exposure to the global nuclear energy lifecycle, including miners, utility companies, and technology providers. Its main strength is a diversified thematic approach that bridges raw material mining with final energy generation. NLR serves as an ideal tool for investors seeking a long-term play on the global energy transition toward carbon-free power. Key risks include high sector concentration, sensitivity to nuclear policy, and inherent industry-specific hazards. It is best suited for long-term investors who can tolerate significant market and sector-specific volatility.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
ETF holdings, costs, diversification, valuation, risks, and market conditions provide supporting context about the fund.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Strong fit | The potential for long-term growth in nuclear energy as a decarbonization solution aligns well with growth-oriented portfolios. |
| Momentum investor | Strong fit while signal remains positive | Momentum investors may find the nuclear energy sector attractive during periods of high commodity price trends and favorable legislative shifts. |
| Value investor | Mixed fit | The sector includes established utility companies that may appeal to value investors, though uranium miners often trade at high valuations based on future growth. |
| Dividend/Income investor | Mixed fit | Some utility holdings in the index pay dividends, but the overall fund is not designed as an income-generating vehicle. |
| Low-risk investor | Weak fit | The sector's exposure to commodity price fluctuations and regulatory risks makes it unsuitable for low-risk portfolios. |
Investor Profile
Ideal Investor Profile
The ideal investor is one seeking thematic, long-term exposure to the nuclear energy transition, comfortable with higher sector-specific volatility.
Suitability
NLR is best suited for long-term investors looking to build a specific thematic sleeve within a diversified portfolio, rather than active traders or passive broad-market indexers.
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility | High | The nuclear industry is sensitive to commodity price swings and political sentiment, leading to significant price fluctuations. |
| Market risk | Medium / high | General market downturns can disproportionately impact thematic energy ETFs. |
| Concentration | High | The fund is concentrated in a single sector, meaning it lacks diversification across broader economic segments. |
| Tracking/expense | Medium | The expense ratio is higher than broad-market ETFs, which can impact long-term returns. |
| Liquidity | Medium | Lower trading volumes compared to major indices can lead to wider spreads during periods of market stress. |
| Business/sector quality | Medium | Regulatory, environmental, and safety risks are inherent to the nuclear power industry and can impact holdings. |
Risk Analysis
Volatility
NLR exhibits high historical volatility due to the cyclical and often sentiment-driven nature of the nuclear energy industry.
Market Risk
The fund is exposed to geopolitical risks, changes in energy legislation, and commodity market fluctuations inherent in the uranium and power sectors.
What the ETF Owns
| Exposure Type | Exposure | Weight (%) | Retail Investor Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Uranium Mining & Exploration | 45 | This segment provides direct exposure to the raw material production essential for nuclear power generation. |
| Industry | Nuclear Utility & Power Generation | 40 | Companies in this segment own and operate nuclear power plants, providing steady utility-scale energy production. |
| Industry | Nuclear Engineering & Equipment | 14 | These firms build, service, and supply technology for nuclear power plants and reactors. |
| Cash/collateral | Cash and Equivalents | 1 | Minor liquidity held for fund operational purposes. |
Price Behavior

Steep Decline
The stock price has dropped sharply with strong downward pressure.

Moderately Choppy
The stock has experienced noticeable price swings while retaining some directional structure.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type ETF | Historic Profit 10.98% | Avg. Invested days 36 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Advisory Rating ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance | ETF Returns Performance |

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