EMXC vs. SLV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EMXC (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF) and SLV (iShares Silver Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - EMXC is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index, while SLV is a Silver fund tracking the LBMA Silver Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, EMXC returned 12.76%/yr vs 20.76%/yr for SLV. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. EMXC charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SLV.

Performance

EMXC vs. SLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF (EMXC) 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, EMXC achieves a 41.72% return, which is significantly higher than SLV's 2.78% return.

EMXC

• 1D: -1.00%
• 1M: 12.61%
• YTD: 41.72%
• 6M: 46.94%
• 1Y: 77.94%
• 3Y*: 29.08%
• 5Y*: 12.76%
• 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)

EMXC vs. SLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EMXC iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF	41.72%	35.14%	2.68%	18.96%	-19.56%	8.54%	12.76%	15.80%	-12.96%	7.01%
SLV iShares Silver Trust	2.78%	144.66%	20.89%	-1.09%	2.37%	-12.45%	47.30%	14.88%	-9.19%	1.52%

Correlation

The correlation between EMXC and SLV is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.42
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 27, 2017	0.35

EMXC vs. SLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EMXC	SLV
Technology	45.0%	-
Financial Services	19.6%	-
Industrials	8.3%	-
Basic Materials	6.8%	100.0%
Consumer Cyclical	4.5%	-
Energy	4.2%	-
Communication Services	3.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.9%	-
Utilities	2.3%	-
Healthcare	2.2%	-
Real Estate	1.0%	-

Return for Risk

EMXC vs. SLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

EMXC

EMXC Risk / Return Rank: 91
EMXC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
EMXC Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
EMXC Omega Ratio Rank: 92
EMXC Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
EMXC Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

EMXC vs. SLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF (EMXC) 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.

	EMXC	SLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.61	1.89	+1.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.39	2.07	+2.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.64	1.35	+0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.44	2.62	+2.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.99	5.64	+16.35
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EMXC vs. SLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EMXC Sharpe Ratio is 3.61, which is higher than the SLV Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EMXC 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

	EMXC	SLV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.61	1.89	+1.72
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74	0.58	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.49	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.25	+0.30

Drawdowns

EMXC vs. SLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMXC drawdown since its inception was -42.81%, smaller than the maximum SLV drawdown of -76.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMXC and SLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	EMXC	SLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.81%	-76.28%	+33.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.41%	-42.45%	+28.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.12%	-42.45%	+23.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.91%	-42.45%	+13.54%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.81%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.00%	-37.30%	+36.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.19%	-44.67%	+34.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.56%	19.67%	-16.11%

Volatility

EMXC vs. SLV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF (EMXC) is 9.88%, while iShares Silver Trust (SLV) has a volatility of 16.30%. This indicates that EMXC 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

	EMXC	SLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.88%	16.30%	-6.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.34%	58.31%	-38.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.70%	58.90%	-37.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.45%	36.15%	-18.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.82%	31.84%	-12.02%

EMXC vs. SLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMXC has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than SLV's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

EMXC vs. SLV - Dividend Comparison

EMXC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.99%, while SLV has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EMXC iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF	1.99%	2.82%	2.69%	1.83%	2.85%	1.78%	1.45%	3.25%	2.63%	0.99%
SLV iShares Silver Trust	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 EMXC and SLV in my portfolio?

EMXC and SLV have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EMXC or SLV?

SLV has higher volatility (16.30%) compared to EMXC (9.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMXC dropped -42.81% vs SLV's -76.28%.

Which ETF is better, EMXC or SLV?

On 5-year performance, SLV leads with 20.76% vs 12.76% for EMXC. On fees, EMXC is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, EMXC has been the lower-risk option at 9.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EMXC or SLV?

Over the 5-year period, SLV has performed better with a 20.76% return vs 12.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EMXC or SLV?

EMXC is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for SLV.

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

EMXC has the higher dividend yield at 1.99%, compared with 0.00% for SLV.

What is the main difference between EMXC and SLV?

EMXC is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while SLV is Silver. EMXC tracks MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index, while SLV tracks LBMA Silver Price. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for EMXC and 0.50% for SLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMXC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.61 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.