The Global X Uranium ETF (NYSEArca: URA) follows the 23 global uranium mining companies, with a 60% weight toward Canada, 20% in Australia and 11% in the U.S. The fund is a little top heavy as it includes a 23.5% allocation toward Cameco Corp. and leans toward small- and micro-cap names, which include 32.7% and 30.8% of holdings, respectively. URA has gained 6.8% over the past three months but is down 28.4% over the past year. The ETF has a 0.69% expense ratio. [Uranium ETF is Looking Hot]
The Market Vectors Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF (NYSEArca: NLR) takes a broader approach, including exposure to large and more stable utilities companies at about 32.6% of the portfolio. Additionally, the ETF leans toward larger companies, with a 22.4% weight toward mega-caps, 46.2% in large-caps and 19.9% to small-caps. Japan makes up the largest country allocation at 24.4%, followed by France 21.7%, U.S. 20.5%, Canada 13.7%, Poland 9.9% and Australia 9.8%. NLR is up 0.6% over the past three months and increased 11.5% over the past year. The fund has a 0.6% expense ratio.
Finally, the iShares Global Nuclear Energy ETF (NYSEArca: NUCL) tracks 24 of the largest nuclear sector companies – mega-caps make up 25.3%, large-caps 58.9% and mid-caps 14.1%. This ETF focuses more on nuclear facilities and the equipment needed for powering reactors, with a 47.7% allocation to electric utilities and 13.4% to multi-utilities. The U.S. is the largest country component at 39.8%, followed by Japan 27.6%, Canada 5.9%, Spain 4.9% and Germany 4.9%. NUCL is down 2.9% over the past three months and up 11.3% over the last year. The ETF has a 0.48% expense ratio.
For more information on the nuclear sector, visit our nuclear category.