^XAU vs. SIL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

^XAU (Philadelphia Gold and Silver Index) is an index, while SIL (Global X Silver Miners ETF) is Silver fund tracking the Solactive Global Silver Miners Total Return Index. Over the past 10 years, ^XAU returned 14.93%/yr vs 10.69%/yr for SIL. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure.

Performance

^XAU vs. SIL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Philadelphia Gold and Silver Index (^XAU) and Global X Silver Miners ETF (SIL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with ^XAU having a 4.63% return and SIL slightly higher at 4.75%. Over the past 10 years, ^XAU has outperformed SIL with an annualized return of 14.93%, while SIL has yielded a comparatively lower 10.69% annualized return.

^XAU

• 1D: -3.40%
• 1M: 2.92%
• YTD: 4.63%
• 6M: 12.61%
• 1Y: 76.24%
• 3Y*: 41.90%
• 5Y*: 17.18%
• 10Y*: 14.93%

SIL

• 1D: -4.96%
• 1M: 0.68%
• YTD: 4.75%
• 6M: 15.66%
• 1Y: 91.23%
• 3Y*: 49.15%
• 5Y*: 13.96%
• 10Y*: 10.69%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

^XAU vs. SIL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
^XAU Philadelphia Gold and Silver Index	4.63%	149.51%	9.14%	4.00%	-8.75%	-8.14%	34.86%	51.32%	-17.13%	8.13%
SIL Global X Silver Miners ETF	4.75%	166.16%	14.62%	1.31%	-22.83%	-18.35%	40.30%	34.78%	-22.42%	1.67%

Correlation

The correlation between ^XAU and SIL is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 21, 2010	0.93

The correlation between ^XAU and SIL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

^XAU vs. SIL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

^XAU

^XAU Risk / Return Rank: 55
^XAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
^XAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
^XAU Omega Ratio Rank: 56
^XAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
^XAU Martin Ratio Rank: 50

SIL

SIL Risk / Return Rank: 48
SIL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
SIL Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
SIL Omega Ratio Rank: 46
SIL Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
SIL Martin Ratio Rank: 43

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

^XAU vs. SIL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Philadelphia Gold and Silver Index (^XAU) and Global X Silver Miners ETF (SIL). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	^XAU	SIL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	1.83	-0.11
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.07	2.17	-0.10
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.30	-0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.54	2.79	-0.25
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.61	7.14	-0.54
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

^XAU vs. SIL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ^XAU Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is comparable to the SIL Sharpe Ratio of 1.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ^XAU and SIL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	^XAU	SIL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.72	1.83	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48	0.36	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.41	0.27	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.07	0.14	-0.06

Drawdowns

^XAU vs. SIL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ^XAU drawdown since its inception was -83.04%, roughly equal to the maximum SIL drawdown of -82.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ^XAU and SIL.

Drawdown Indicators

	^XAU	SIL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-83.04%	-82.99%	-0.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-30.21%	-32.91%	+2.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.21%	-32.91%	+2.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-45.52%	-55.08%	+9.56%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.52%	-63.04%	+17.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-23.86%	-25.87%	+2.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-39.76%	-51.45%	+11.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.58%	12.82%	-1.24%

Volatility

^XAU vs. SIL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Philadelphia Gold and Silver Index (^XAU) is 15.10%, while Global X Silver Miners ETF (SIL) has a volatility of 17.66%. This indicates that ^XAU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SIL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	^XAU	SIL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.10%	17.66%	-2.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	36.43%	41.57%	-5.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	44.50%	50.01%	-5.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.17%	39.21%	-3.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	36.28%	39.60%	-3.32%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ^XAU and SIL in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, ^XAU and SIL move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, ^XAU or SIL?

SIL has higher volatility (17.66%) compared to ^XAU (15.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ^XAU dropped -83.04% vs SIL's -82.99%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SIL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.83 vs 1.72), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.