GLTR vs. SLV
GLTR (abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF) and SLV (iShares Silver Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - GLTR is a Precious Metals fund tracking the ETFS Physical Precious Metals Basket Index, while SLV is a Silver fund tracking the LBMA Silver Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GLTR returned 11.27%/yr vs 12.68%/yr for SLV. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GLTR charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SLV.
Performance
GLTR vs. SLV - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GLTR achieves a -9.21% return, which is significantly higher than SLV's -13.49% return. Over the past 10 years, GLTR has underperformed SLV with an annualized return of 11.27%, while SLV has yielded a comparatively higher 12.68% annualized return.
GLTR
- 1D
- -3.07%
- 1M
- -12.32%
- YTD
- -9.21%
- 6M
- -12.60%
- 1Y
- 33.31%
- 3Y*
- 29.08%
- 5Y*
- 14.31%
- 10Y*
- 11.27%
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%
GLTR vs. SLV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GLTR abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF | -9.21% | 87.25% | 20.63% | 2.01% | -0.25% | -9.60% | 29.52% | 20.96% | -2.85% | 12.94% |
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 GLTR and SLV is 0.95 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.92 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.91 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.90 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 22, 2010 | 0.92 |
The correlation between GLTR and SLV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
GLTR vs. SLV — Risk / Return Rank
GLTR
SLV
GLTR vs. SLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF (GLTR) 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.
| GLTR | SLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.29 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.33 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.19 | 1.25 | -0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.97 | 1.47 | -0.50 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.27 | 3.16 | -0.89 |
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Drawdowns
GLTR vs. SLV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GLTR drawdown since its inception was -55.70%, smaller than the maximum SLV drawdown of -76.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GLTR and SLV.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GLTR | SLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -55.70% | -76.28% | +20.58% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -34.55% | -47.23% | +12.68% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -34.55% | -47.23% | +12.68% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -34.55% | -47.23% | +12.68% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -34.55% | -47.23% | +12.68% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -34.55% | -47.23% | +12.68% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -28.83% | -44.65% | +15.82% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 14.68% | 21.91% | -7.23% |
Volatility
GLTR vs. SLV - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF (GLTR) is 10.06%, while iShares Silver Trust (SLV) has a volatility of 14.34%. This indicates that GLTR 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
| GLTR | SLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 10.06% | 14.34% | -4.28% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 36.51% | 59.27% | -22.76% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 38.78% | 60.33% | -21.55% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.90% | 36.59% | -12.69% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.68% | 32.09% | -11.41% |
GLTR vs. SLV - Expense Ratio Comparison
GLTR has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than SLV's 0.50% expense ratio.
Dividends
GLTR vs. SLV - Dividend Comparison
Neither GLTR nor SLV has paid dividends to shareholders.
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.95, GLTR and SLV move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
SLV has higher volatility (14.34%) compared to GLTR (10.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GLTR dropped -55.70% vs SLV's -76.28%.
On 10-year performance, SLV leads with 12.68% vs 11.27% for GLTR. On fees, SLV is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, GLTR has been the lower-risk option at 10.06%. 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 11.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SLV is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for GLTR.
GLTR and SLV have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.
GLTR is categorized as Precious Metals, while SLV is Silver. GLTR tracks ETFS Physical Precious Metals Basket Index, while SLV tracks LBMA Silver Price. They also come from different issuers: abrdn and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for GLTR and 0.50% for SLV.
SLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.15 vs 0.86), 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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