BKF vs. SLV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BKF (iShares MSCI BRIC ETF) and SLV (iShares Silver Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - BKF is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the MSCI BRIC Index, while SLV is a Silver fund tracking the LBMA Silver Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BKF returned 5.04%/yr vs 15.55%/yr for SLV. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BKF charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SLV.

Performance

BKF vs. SLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI BRIC ETF (BKF) 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, BKF achieves a -7.96% return, which is significantly lower than SLV's 2.78% return. Over the past 10 years, BKF has underperformed SLV with an annualized return of 5.04%, while SLV has yielded a comparatively higher 15.55% annualized return.

BKF

• 1D: -1.76%
• 1M: -3.91%
• YTD: -7.96%
• 6M: -8.28%
• 1Y: 1.92%
• 3Y*: 8.00%
• 5Y*: -4.06%
• 10Y*: 5.04%

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)

BKF vs. SLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BKF iShares MSCI BRIC ETF	-7.96%	22.30%	9.24%	1.27%	-21.78%	-11.87%	16.52%	22.93%	-13.80%	41.80%
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 BKF and SLV is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
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	0.30

The correlation between BKF and SLV shifts across timeframes, from 0.29 (10 years) to 0.40 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

BKF vs. SLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BKF	SLV
Financial Services	23.7%	-
Consumer Cyclical	19.5%	-
Communication Services	12.6%	-
Technology	7.9%	-
Basic Materials	7.3%	100.0%
Energy	7.2%	-
Industrials	7.2%	-
Healthcare	5.2%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.2%	-
Utilities	3.9%	-
Real Estate	1.3%	-

Return for Risk

BKF vs. SLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

BKF

BKF Risk / Return Rank: 10
BKF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
BKF Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
BKF Omega Ratio Rank: 10
BKF Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
BKF Martin Ratio Rank: 10

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.

BKF vs. SLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI BRIC ETF (BKF) 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.

	BKF	SLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.12	1.89	-1.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.29	2.07	-1.78
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.03	1.35	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.14	2.62	-2.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.38	5.64	-5.26
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BKF vs. SLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BKF Sharpe Ratio is 0.12, which is lower than the SLV Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BKF 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

	BKF	SLV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.12	1.89	-1.76
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.19	0.58	-0.77
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.23	0.49	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.00	0.25	-0.24

Drawdowns

BKF vs. SLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BKF drawdown since its inception was -70.29%, smaller than the maximum SLV drawdown of -76.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BKF and SLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	BKF	SLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.29%	-76.28%	+5.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.43%	-42.45%	+29.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.60%	-42.45%	+23.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.94%	-42.45%	-2.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.20%	-42.81%	-6.39%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-25.46%	-37.30%	+11.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-28.11%	-44.67%	+16.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.10%	19.67%	-14.57%

Volatility

BKF vs. SLV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI BRIC ETF (BKF) is 5.46%, while iShares Silver Trust (SLV) has a volatility of 16.30%. This indicates that BKF 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

	BKF	SLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.46%	16.30%	-10.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.40%	58.31%	-45.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.53%	58.90%	-43.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.52%	36.15%	-14.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.77%	31.84%	-10.07%

BKF vs. SLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

BKF has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than SLV's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

BKF vs. SLV - Dividend Comparison

BKF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.95%, while SLV has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BKF iShares MSCI BRIC ETF	1.95%	1.79%	2.37%	1.68%	2.04%	2.93%	1.02%	1.66%	2.33%	1.51%	1.82%	3.15%
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 BKF and SLV in my portfolio?

BKF and SLV have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BKF or SLV?

SLV has higher volatility (16.30%) compared to BKF (5.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BKF dropped -70.29% vs SLV's -76.28%.

Which ETF is better, BKF or SLV?

On 10-year performance, SLV leads with 15.55% vs 5.04% for BKF. On fees, SLV is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, BKF has been the lower-risk option at 5.46%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BKF or SLV?

Over the 10-year period, SLV has performed better with a 15.55% return vs 5.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BKF or SLV?

SLV is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for BKF.

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

BKF has the higher dividend yield at 1.95%, compared with 0.00% for SLV.

What is the main difference between BKF and SLV?

BKF is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while SLV is Silver. BKF tracks MSCI BRIC Index, while SLV tracks LBMA Silver Price. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for BKF and 0.50% for SLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs 0.12), 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.