What Is the NUKZ ETF? A Complete Guide to Returns, Expense Ratio, Holdings, and Alternative ETFs
Invests across the full lifecycle of the global nuclear industry, from uranium mining to power plant operation, with the aim of benefiting from energy security trends.
What Is This ETF?
The fund tracks the VettaFi Nuclear Renaissance Index and concentrates its investments in pure-play companies with a high share of nuclear-related revenue, as well as companies with innovative technologies. It is distinctive in that its portfolio goes beyond simple mining to include nuclear plant construction and services.
It is suited to aggressive investors who want exposure to the long-term growth potential of nuclear energy.
It is a passively managed (index-tracking) ETF launched in 2024 by Range / Exchange Traded Concepts (ETC).
How Does It Invest?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tracked Index | VettaFi Nuclear Renaissance Index |
| Management Style | Passive (index-tracking) |
| Rebalancing Frequency | Semiannual |
| Dividend Frequency | Annual |
| Total Expense Ratio | 0.85% |
The fund holds companies across the global nuclear value chain on a market-cap-weighted basis. In addition to uranium producers, it includes utilities with a large share of nuclear power generation and related infrastructure companies, providing broad exposure across the sector.
- Includes nuclear plant operation and service companies, not just uranium miners
- Exposure to innovative companies with next-generation reactor technology
Size and Costs
Assets under management (AUM) stand at $627.7M, and the total expense ratio is 0.85% per year.
As a specialized thematic product, its fees are on the higher side compared with typical index-tracking ETFs, but it offers refined exposure to the nuclear industry as a whole.
Performance and Trends
Surging power demand from AI data centers and stronger global carbon neutrality policies are raising market interest in the nuclear sector as a whole, and volatility among related companies has been widening as a result.
As nuclear power regains prominence amid global energy security concerns and an eco-friendly policy stance, steady inflows into related thematic ETFs have been observed, and trading volume in the market is also becoming more active.
Strengths and Weaknesses
The fund allows investment in the broad growth of the nuclear industry, but it carries risks from policy changes and raw material price swings.
💪 Key Strengths
⚠️ Points to Watch
Alternative ETFs and Related Products
Compared with innovative technology ETFs such as XT and KOMP shown in the table, NUKZ has a far more concentrated focus on one specific sector: nuclear power. Just as an agriculture theme like MOO or a blockchain theme like DAPP concentrates on a particular industry group, NUKZ also sets a clear target in the nuclear renaissance. As direct alternatives, you could consider URA, which has a high weighting in uranium mining, or NLR, which centers on nuclear power generation and utilities. If you would rather focus on uranium producers, URNM, or URNJ, which is weighted toward small and mid-sized companies, are also worth reviewing.
| Ticker | Name | Price | Change | AUM | Total Expense Ratio | Dividend Yield | 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF | $83.47 | -1.9% | $4.1B | 0.46% | 1.02% | +19.6% | |
| State Street SPDR S&P Kensho New Economies Composite ETF | $62.46 | -3.3% | $2.6B | 0.20% | 1.63% | -1.9% | |
| VanEck Agribusiness ETF | $81.98 | +1.6% | $1.1B | 0.56% | 2.19% | +14.3% | |
| VanEck Natural Resources ETF | $74.30 | -0.1% | $327.0M | 0.41% | 1.84% | +29.7% | |
| WisdomTree European Opportunities Fund | $58.52 | -1.0% | $285.1M | 0.58% | 2.82% | +18.1% |
| Ticker | Name | Weight | Price | Change | Market Cap | P/E | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CCJ | Cameco Corp | 0.28% | $76.91 | -7.9% | $33.5B | 130.8 | 0.23% |
| CEG | Constellation Energy Corp | 0.07% | $262.38 | -0.8% | $93.0B | 25.6 | 0.65% |
| Invesco Ltd | 0.06% | $27.76 | -4.3% | $12.3B | - | 3.09% | |
| GEV | GE Vernova Inc | 0.10% | $857.87 | -3.4% | $227.1B | 22.5 | 0.23% |
| LMT | Lockheed Martin Corp | 0.03% | $636.95 | -1.0% | $147.1B | 22.6 | 2.2% |
| Talen Energy Corp | 0.03% | $343.12 | -1.6% | $16.2B | - | - |
Investor Checkpoints
Here is a key checklist to review before deciding to invest in NUKZ. You should comprehensively assess the sustainability of the nuclear theme, the fund's operating costs, and the business risks of the individual companies in the portfolio.
| Checkpoint | What to Check | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| 💵 Fee Level | Confirm whether the cost level is appropriate for a thematic ETF | Needs review |
| ⚛️ Nuclear Policy | Whether major countries continue to expand and support nuclear power | Positive trend |
| 📈 Uranium Price | Supply, demand, and price trends of uranium, the key raw material | Volatility persists |
| 🔌 Power Demand | Whether power demand growth from AI and data centers continues | Favorable environment |
Delays in commercializing core technologies or setbacks in large-scale nuclear projects could weigh on the share price. In addition, the possibility of the industry shrinking due to political issues cannot be ruled out.
It is a suitable vehicle for investors who want broad exposure to the nuclear industry, a core future energy source. Given its high volatility and fees, it is advisable to use it as a strategic asset within a portfolio.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.