GLTR vs. SLV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GLTR (Aberdeen Standard 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 13.17%/yr vs 15.55%/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

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Aberdeen Standard Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF (GLTR) 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, GLTR achieves a 1.47% return, which is significantly lower than SLV's 2.78% return. Over the past 10 years, GLTR has underperformed SLV with an annualized return of 13.17%, while SLV has yielded a comparatively higher 15.55% annualized return.

GLTR

• 1D: -1.81%
• 1M: -1.45%
• YTD: 1.47%
• 6M: 10.73%
• 1Y: 53.06%
• 3Y*: 32.36%
• 5Y*: 15.32%
• 10Y*: 13.17%

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)

GLTR vs. SLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GLTR Aberdeen Standard Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF	1.47%	87.25%	20.63%	2.01%	-0.25%	-9.60%	29.52%	20.96%	-2.85%	12.94%
SLV iShares Silver Trust	2.78%	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 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94
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 25, 2010	0.92

The correlation between GLTR and SLV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GLTR vs. SLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

GLTR

GLTR Risk / Return Rank: 36
GLTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
GLTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
GLTR Omega Ratio Rank: 44
GLTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
GLTR Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

GLTR vs. SLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Aberdeen Standard 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.

	GLTR	SLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.42	1.89	-0.47
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.73	2.07	-0.34
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.35	-0.06
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.80	2.62	-0.82
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.13	5.64	-1.51
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GLTR vs. SLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GLTR Sharpe Ratio is 1.42, which is comparable to the SLV Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GLTR 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

	GLTR	SLV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.42	1.89	-0.47
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.58	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64	0.49	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.25	+0.08

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.

Drawdown Indicators

	GLTR	SLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.70%	-76.28%	+20.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-29.70%	-42.45%	+12.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.70%	-42.45%	+12.75%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.70%	-42.45%	+12.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.70%	-42.81%	+13.11%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-26.86%	-37.30%	+10.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-28.83%	-44.67%	+15.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.88%	19.67%	-6.79%

Volatility

GLTR vs. SLV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Aberdeen Standard Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF (GLTR) is 9.13%, while iShares Silver Trust (SLV) has a volatility of 16.30%. 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.

Volatility by Period

	GLTR	SLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.13%	16.30%	-7.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	35.41%	58.31%	-22.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	37.58%	58.90%	-21.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.63%	36.15%	-12.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.50%	31.84%	-11.34%

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.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GLTR and SLV in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, 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.

Which is riskier, GLTR or SLV?

SLV has higher volatility (16.30%) compared to GLTR (9.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GLTR dropped -55.70% vs SLV's -76.28%.

Which ETF is better, GLTR or SLV?

On 10-year performance, SLV leads with 15.55% vs 13.17% for GLTR. On fees, SLV is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, GLTR has been the lower-risk option at 9.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GLTR or SLV?

Over the 10-year period, SLV has performed better with a 15.55% return vs 13.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GLTR or SLV?

SLV is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for GLTR.

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

GLTR and SLV have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between GLTR and SLV?

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: Aberdeen and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for GLTR and 0.50% for SLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs 1.42), 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.