BTOT vs. SLV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BTOT (iShares Total USD Fixed Income Market ETF) and SLV (iShares Silver Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - BTOT is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg US Total Fixed Income Market Index, while SLV is a Silver fund tracking the LBMA Silver Price. Both are passively managed. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BTOT charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SLV.

Performance

BTOT vs. SLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Total USD Fixed Income Market ETF (BTOT) 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, BTOT achieves a 0.39% return, which is significantly lower than SLV's 2.78% return.

BTOT

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 0.29%
• YTD: 0.39%
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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)

BTOT vs. SLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BTOT iShares Total USD Fixed Income Market ETF	0.39%	0.31%
SLV iShares Silver Trust	2.78%	11.80%

Correlation

The correlation between BTOT and SLV is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 2025	0.26

Return for Risk

BTOT vs. SLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

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.

BTOT vs. SLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Total USD Fixed Income Market ETF (BTOT) 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BTOT	SLV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.89	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.58	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.49	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	0.25	+0.17

Drawdowns

BTOT vs. SLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BTOT drawdown since its inception was -2.36%, smaller than the maximum SLV drawdown of -76.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BTOT and SLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	BTOT	SLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.36%	-76.28%	+73.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-42.45%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-42.45%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-42.45%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.81%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.18%	-37.30%	+36.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.77%	-44.67%	+43.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	19.67%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BTOT	SLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	16.30%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	58.31%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.70%	58.90%	-55.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.70%	36.15%	-32.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.70%	31.84%	-28.14%

BTOT vs. SLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

BTOT has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than SLV's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

BTOT vs. SLV - Dividend Comparison

BTOT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.13%, while SLV has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
BTOT iShares Total USD Fixed Income Market ETF	2.13%	0.22%
SLV iShares Silver Trust	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BTOT and SLV in my portfolio?

BTOT and SLV have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, BTOT or SLV?

On fees, BTOT is cheaper at 0.09% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BTOT or SLV?

BTOT is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for SLV.

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

BTOT has the higher dividend yield at 2.13%, compared with 0.00% for SLV.

What is the main difference between BTOT and SLV?

BTOT is categorized as Total Bond Market, while SLV is Silver. BTOT tracks Bloomberg US Total Fixed Income Market Index, while SLV tracks LBMA Silver Price. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for BTOT and 0.50% for SLV.