GLD vs. SLV
Compare and contrast key facts about SPDR Gold Trust (GLD) and iShares Silver Trust (SLV).
GLD and SLV are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. GLD is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the Gold Bullion. It was launched on Nov 18, 2004. SLV is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the Silver Bullion. It was launched on Apr 28, 2006. Both GLD and SLV are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: GLD or SLV.
Key characteristics
| GLD | SLV | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | 12.95% | 15.06% |
| 1Y Return | 16.88% | 9.77% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | 8.99% | 1.09% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | 12.23% | 12.37% |
| 10Y Return (Ann) | 5.64% | 2.97% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 1.32 | 0.36 |
| Daily Std Dev | 12.29% | 24.85% |
| Max Drawdown | -45.56% | -76.28% |
| Current Drawdown | -2.40% | -46.60% |
Correlation
The correlation between GLD and SLV is 0.80, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Performance
GLD vs. SLV - Performance Comparison
In the year-to-date period, GLD achieves a 12.95% return, which is significantly lower than SLV's 15.06% return. Over the past 10 years, GLD has outperformed SLV with an annualized return of 5.64%, while SLV has yielded a comparatively lower 2.97% annualized return. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
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GLD vs. SLV - Expense Ratio Comparison
GLD has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than SLV's 0.50% expense ratio.
Risk-Adjusted Performance
GLD vs. SLV - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Gold Trust (GLD) 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.
Dividends
GLD vs. SLV - Dividend Comparison
Neither GLD nor SLV has paid dividends to shareholders.
Drawdowns
GLD vs. SLV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GLD drawdown since its inception was -45.56%, smaller than the maximum SLV drawdown of -76.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GLD and SLV. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
GLD vs. SLV - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for SPDR Gold Trust (GLD) is 5.13%, while iShares Silver Trust (SLV) has a volatility of 9.48%. This indicates that GLD 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.