FXB vs. SLV
FXB (Invesco CurrencyShares® British Pound Sterling Trust) and SLV (iShares Silver Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - FXB is a Currency fund tracking the British Pound, while SLV is a Silver fund tracking the LBMA Silver Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FXB returned 0.48%/yr vs 12.68%/yr for SLV. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FXB charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SLV.
Performance
FXB vs. SLV - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FXB achieves a -1.17% return, which is significantly higher than SLV's -13.49% return. Over the past 10 years, FXB has underperformed SLV with an annualized return of 0.48%, while SLV has yielded a comparatively higher 12.68% annualized return.
FXB
- 1D
- -0.37%
- 1M
- -1.63%
- YTD
- -1.17%
- 6M
- -1.24%
- 1Y
- -0.33%
- 3Y*
- 4.05%
- 5Y*
- 0.79%
- 10Y*
- 0.48%
SLV
- 1D
- -5.40%
- 1M
- -18.48%
- YTD
- -13.49%
- 6M
- -14.05%
- 1Y
- 69.08%
- 3Y*
- 39.38%
- 5Y*
- 18.31%
- 10Y*
- 12.68%
FXB vs. SLV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FXB Invesco CurrencyShares® British Pound Sterling Trust | -1.17% | 10.37% | 1.35% | 8.58% | -10.45% | -1.54% | 2.87% | 3.87% | -5.75% | 9.10% |
SLV iShares Silver Trust | -13.49% | 144.66% | 20.89% | -1.09% | 2.37% | -12.45% | 47.30% | 14.88% | -9.19% | 5.82% |
Correlation
The correlation between FXB and SLV is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.34 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.42 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.36 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2006 | 0.35 |
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Return for Risk
FXB vs. SLV — Risk / Return Rank
FXB
SLV
FXB vs. SLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco CurrencyShares® British Pound Sterling Trust (FXB) 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| FXB | SLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.20 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.57 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.00 | 1.25 | -0.25 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.07 | 1.47 | -1.54 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.15 | 3.16 | -3.31 |
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Drawdowns
FXB vs. SLV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FXB drawdown since its inception was -48.99%, smaller than the maximum SLV drawdown of -76.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXB and SLV.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FXB | SLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -48.99% | -76.28% | +27.29% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -4.53% | -47.23% | +42.70% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -8.44% | -47.23% | +38.79% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -23.61% | -47.23% | +23.62% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -26.11% | -47.23% | +21.12% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -30.64% | -47.23% | +16.59% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -27.54% | -44.65% | +17.11% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.25% | 21.91% | -19.66% |
Volatility
FXB vs. SLV - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Invesco CurrencyShares® British Pound Sterling Trust (FXB) is 1.62%, while iShares Silver Trust (SLV) has a volatility of 14.34%. This indicates that FXB 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.
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Volatility by Period
| FXB | SLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.62% | 14.34% | -12.72% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 4.90% | 59.27% | -54.37% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 6.57% | 60.33% | -53.76% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 8.48% | 36.59% | -28.11% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 8.87% | 32.09% | -23.22% |
FXB vs. SLV - Expense Ratio Comparison
FXB has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than SLV's 0.50% expense ratio.
Dividends
FXB vs. SLV - Dividend Comparison
FXB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.24%, while SLV has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FXB Invesco CurrencyShares® British Pound Sterling Trust | 2.24% | 2.44% | 3.25% | 2.59% | 0.29% |
SLV iShares Silver Trust | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FXB and SLV have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SLV has higher volatility (14.34%) compared to FXB (1.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FXB dropped -48.99% vs SLV's -76.28%.
On 10-year performance, SLV leads with 12.68% vs 0.48% for FXB. On fees, FXB is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, FXB has been the lower-risk option at 1.62%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, SLV has performed better with a 12.68% return vs 0.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FXB is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for SLV.
FXB has the higher dividend yield at 2.24%, compared with 0.00% for SLV.
FXB is categorized as Currency, while SLV is Silver. FXB tracks British Pound, while SLV tracks LBMA Silver Price. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for FXB and 0.50% for SLV.
SLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.15 vs -0.05), 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.
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