AIA vs. SLV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AIA (iShares Asia 50 ETF) and SLV (iShares Silver Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - AIA is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the S&P Asia 50, while SLV is a Silver fund tracking the LBMA Silver Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, AIA returned 15.48%/yr vs 15.55%/yr for SLV. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.50% expense ratio.

Performance

AIA vs. SLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Asia 50 ETF (AIA) and iShares Silver Trust (SLV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AIA achieves a 52.67% return, which is significantly higher than SLV's 2.78% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with AIA having a 15.48% annualized return and SLV not far ahead at 15.55%.

AIA

• 1D: -1.19%
• 1M: 18.04%
• YTD: 52.67%
• 6M: 57.46%
• 1Y: 100.69%
• 3Y*: 38.58%
• 5Y*: 12.42%
• 10Y*: 15.48%

SLV

• 1D: -2.62%
• 1M: 0.41%
• YTD: 2.78%
• 6M: 24.76%
• 1Y: 110.59%
• 3Y*: 45.06%
• 5Y*: 20.76%
• 10Y*: 15.55%

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

AIA vs. SLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AIA iShares Asia 50 ETF	52.67%	47.79%	20.26%	4.32%	-24.08%	-10.91%	33.73%	22.21%	-14.22%	45.00%
SLV iShares Silver Trust	2.78%	144.66%	20.89%	-1.09%	2.37%	-12.45%	47.30%	14.88%	-9.19%	5.82%

Correlation

The correlation between AIA and SLV is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.38
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.39
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 21, 2007	0.27

The correlation between AIA and SLV shifts across timeframes, from 0.27 (all time) to 0.39 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

AIA vs. SLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AIA	SLV
Technology	56.8%	-
Financial Services	19.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	-
Communication Services	8.9%	-
Industrials	2.6%	-
Healthcare	0.9%	-
Energy	0.7%	-
Real Estate	0.6%	-
Basic Materials	-	100.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

AIA vs. SLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

AIA

AIA Risk / Return Rank: 93
AIA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
AIA Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
AIA Omega Ratio Rank: 92
AIA Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
AIA Martin Ratio Rank: 94

SLV

SLV Risk / Return Rank: 47
SLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
SLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
SLV Omega Ratio Rank: 56
SLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
SLV Martin Ratio Rank: 36

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.

AIA vs. SLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Asia 50 ETF (AIA) and iShares Silver Trust (SLV). 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.

	AIA	SLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.94	1.89	+2.05
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.57	2.07	+2.51
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.64	1.35	+0.29
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.16	2.62	+4.54
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	26.55	5.64	+20.90
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AIA vs. SLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AIA Sharpe Ratio is 3.94, which is higher than the SLV Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AIA and SLV, 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

	AIA	SLV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.94	1.89	+2.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49	0.58	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66	0.49	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.25	+0.08

Drawdowns

AIA vs. SLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AIA drawdown since its inception was -60.89%, smaller than the maximum SLV drawdown of -76.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AIA and SLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	AIA	SLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.89%	-76.28%	+15.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.15%	-42.45%	+28.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.64%	-42.45%	+20.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.17%	-42.45%	-7.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-54.64%	-42.81%	-11.83%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.19%	-37.30%	+36.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.68%	-44.67%	+27.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.81%	19.67%	-15.86%

Volatility

AIA vs. SLV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Asia 50 ETF (AIA) is 11.22%, while iShares Silver Trust (SLV) has a volatility of 16.30%. This indicates that AIA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AIA	SLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.22%	16.30%	-5.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.71%	58.31%	-36.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.70%	58.90%	-33.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.51%	36.15%	-10.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.55%	31.84%	-8.29%

AIA vs. SLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both AIA and SLV have an expense ratio of 0.50%.

Dividends

AIA vs. SLV - Dividend Comparison

AIA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.64%, while SLV has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AIA iShares Asia 50 ETF	1.64%	2.50%	2.78%	2.07%	2.59%	1.54%	1.11%	2.24%	2.49%	1.45%	2.29%	2.88%
SLV iShares Silver Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AIA and SLV in my portfolio?

AIA and SLV have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AIA or SLV?

SLV has higher volatility (16.30%) compared to AIA (11.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AIA dropped -60.89% vs SLV's -76.28%.

Which ETF is better, AIA or SLV?

On 10-year performance, SLV leads with 15.55% vs 15.48% for AIA. Both ETFs have the same 0.50% expense ratio. On volatility, AIA has been the lower-risk option at 11.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AIA or SLV?

Over the 10-year period, SLV has performed better with a 15.55% return vs 15.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AIA or SLV?

AIA and SLV have the same expense ratio: 0.50% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AIA or SLV?

AIA has the higher dividend yield at 1.64%, compared with 0.00% for SLV.

What is the main difference between AIA and SLV?

AIA is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while SLV is Silver. AIA tracks S&P Asia 50, while SLV tracks LBMA Silver Price.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AIA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.94 vs 1.89), 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.