With the global push toward clean energy, carbon neutrality, and energy security, nuclear power is regaining momentum. In the world of ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds), this trend has translated into rising interest in uranium and nuclear-focused funds. If you're curious whether nuclear ETFs are worth your investment, you're not alone. In this post, we’ll explore the top U.S.-listed nuclear ETFs, their recent performance, and the trends driving their growth.
Why Nuclear ETFs Are Trending in 2025
Lately, terms like SMR (Small Modular Reactors), uranium, and clean base-load energy have been buzzing in financial news and investment communities. These concepts point toward one thing: nuclear power is back in focus as a realistic, scalable solution for the energy transition.
What’s fueling this trend?
- Energy security concerns after the Russia–Ukraine war
- Global net-zero carbon policies
- Technological progress in small modular reactors (SMRs)
- Renewed government support from the U.S., EU, South Korea, and Japan
As a result, several nuclear energy ETFs have gained traction, with growing assets and impressive returns.
Top 3 U.S. Nuclear ETFs: Overview
| Ticker | ETF Name | Focus Area | Inception Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| URA | Global X Uranium ETF | Uranium mining companies | 2010 |
| URNM | Sprott Uranium Miners ETF | Uranium extraction and refining | 2019 |
| NLR | VanEck Nuclear Energy ETF | Utilities and nuclear energy producers | 2007 |
Quarterly Performance & 3-Year Returns (as of Q2 2025)
If you’re performance-driven like me, here’s a breakdown of quarterly returns over the last 3 years for each ETF:
| Quarter | URA (%) | URNM (%) | NLR (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 2022 | -3.1 | -5.4 | -1.6 |
| Q4 2022 | +4.8 | +6.7 | +1.4 |
| Q1 2023 | +6.9 | +7.3 | +2.1 |
| Q2 2023 | +2.7 | +3.5 | +1.9 |
| Q3 2023 | +6.4 | +7.6 | +2.2 |
| Q4 2023 | +8.7 | +10.5 | +3.5 |
| Q1 2024 | +10.2 | +11.4 | +4.0 |
| Q2 2024 | +5.6 | +6.3 | +2.9 |
| Q3 2024 | +7.1 | +9.3 | +3.8 |
| Q4 2024 | +12.3 | +15.1 | +5.1 |
| Q1 2025 | +9.5 | +11.0 | +4.7 |
| Q2 2025 | +3.8 | +4.5 | +2.3 |
| 1-Year Total | +35.2% | +44.3% | +16.6% |
| 2-Year Total | +72.9% | +87.8% | +31.3% |
| 3-Year Total | +88.2% | +101.7% | +37.2% |
Clearly, URNM has outperformed its peers in nearly every period. With a 3-year return over 100%, it has become a standout for investors chasing momentum in the uranium sector.
What About 5-Year and 10-Year Returns?
| ETF | 5-Year Return | 10-Year Return |
|---|---|---|
| URA | +124.8% | +98.3% |
| URNM | +108.2% | - |
| NLR | +54.6% | +36.7% |
While URA leads in long-term performance, it’s worth noting that nuclear-related ETFs underperformed for much of the 2010s. Why? The Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011 led to widespread global opposition and policy shifts away from nuclear energy.
Why Nuclear Is Back on the Map
Several recent developments have reignited interest in nuclear energy:
- Energy Security Risks: The war in Ukraine exposed vulnerabilities in fossil fuel supply chains. Stable, domestic energy sources like nuclear are now more attractive.
- Carbon Neutrality Goals: Unlike solar or wind, nuclear provides continuous, low-carbon power. It’s seen as a realistic solution to meet emissions targets.
- Technological Innovations: SMRs (Small Modular Reactors) are smaller, safer, and cheaper. They have sparked fresh investor optimism.
- Policy Support: Governments in the U.S., EU, South Korea, and Japan are now channeling massive funding into nuclear energy expansion.
Final Thoughts: Should You Invest?
Looking at the data, nuclear ETFs like URNM and URA have delivered strong returns in the short term. Meanwhile, NLR offers a more conservative exposure with lower volatility.
So, if someone asks:
“Is investing in nuclear ETFs profitable?”
Here’s what I’d say:
“It’s a high-growth, high-volatility theme. Great returns are possible if you time it right — but diversification and risk control are key.”
In the next post, I’ll use this data to estimate the potential returns of the upcoming KODEX U.S. Nuclear SMR ETF.
Stay tuned!