SMRF ETF up 11% YTD as small-reactor market expands

ALPS Nautilus SMR, Nuclear & Technology ETF (SMRF) debuted in February and has gained more than 11% year-to-date, despite missing about 1.5 months of trading. The fund invests in companies tied to nuclear power and related technology.

Precedence Research projects the global small nuclear reactor market will grow from $8.16 billion in 2026 to $17.37 billion by 2035, a compound annual growth rate of 8.78% over that period.

SMRF’s portfolio includes uranium miners, firms that build modular reactors and components, power generators and several semiconductor companies. The fund provides exposure to nuclear fuel and equipment producers as well as technology firms whose products support advanced reactor projects.

Precedence Research identified advances in modular reactor design, stronger government support for low-carbon power and rising demand for reliable clean energy as factors behind the projected market expansion. The firm estimated the government and defense segment accounted for about 20% of the small nuclear reactor market in 2025, citing uses such as military bases and remote installations.

Small modular reactors are designed with smaller footprints and factory-built components, features that supporters say can make them suitable for off-grid and emergency power applications.

Analysts have linked growth in high-performance computing and artificial intelligence to increased demand for dependable power. SMRF’s inclusion of semiconductor equities gives the ETF exposure to that demand as well as to traditional nuclear industry names.

ALPS selected an index from VettaFi LLC to track the fund’s theme. VettaFi receives an index licensing fee and is not the issuer, sponsor, endorser or seller of SMRF; it has no obligation or liability related to the ETF’s issuance, administration, marketing or trading.

Investors considering SMRF gain exposure to multiple segments of the nuclear and technology value chains rather than a single, narrow exposure to reactors.