ICOP vs. SLV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ICOP (iShares Copper and Metals Mining ETF) and SLV (iShares Silver Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - ICOP is a Commodity Producers Equities fund tracking the STOXX Global Copper and Metals Mining Index, while SLV is a Silver fund tracking the LBMA Silver Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, ICOP returned 102.60% vs 110.59% for SLV. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ICOP charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SLV.

Performance

ICOP vs. SLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Copper and Metals Mining ETF (ICOP) 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, ICOP achieves a 27.29% return, which is significantly higher than SLV's 2.78% return.

ICOP

• 1D: -3.29%
• 1M: 17.09%
• YTD: 27.29%
• 6M: 37.08%
• 1Y: 102.60%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 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)

ICOP vs. SLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
ICOP iShares Copper and Metals Mining ETF	27.29%	78.01%	1.10%	8.08%
SLV iShares Silver Trust	2.78%	144.66%	20.89%	5.83%

Correlation

The correlation between ICOP and SLV is 0.68, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2023	0.63

The correlation between ICOP and SLV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.

ICOP vs. SLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ICOP	SLV
Basic Materials	100.0%	100.0%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

ICOP vs. SLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

ICOP

ICOP Risk / Return Rank: 74
ICOP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
ICOP Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
ICOP Omega Ratio Rank: 68
ICOP Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
ICOP Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

ICOP vs. SLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Copper and Metals Mining ETF (ICOP) 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.

	ICOP	SLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.77	1.89	+0.88
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.11	2.07	+1.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.35	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.95	2.62	+1.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.50	5.64	+8.86
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ICOP vs. SLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ICOP Sharpe Ratio is 2.77, which is higher than the SLV Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ICOP 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

	ICOP	SLV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.77	1.89	+0.88
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.58	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.49	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.08	0.25	+0.83

Drawdowns

ICOP vs. SLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ICOP drawdown since its inception was -38.67%, smaller than the maximum SLV drawdown of -76.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ICOP and SLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	ICOP	SLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.67%	-76.28%	+37.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.13%	-42.45%	+16.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-42.45%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-42.45%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.81%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.29%	-37.30%	+34.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.67%	-44.67%	+33.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.10%	19.67%	-12.57%

Volatility

ICOP vs. SLV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Copper and Metals Mining ETF (ICOP) is 13.69%, while iShares Silver Trust (SLV) has a volatility of 16.30%. This indicates that ICOP 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

	ICOP	SLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.69%	16.30%	-2.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	32.28%	58.31%	-26.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	37.29%	58.90%	-21.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.77%	36.15%	-2.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	33.77%	31.84%	+1.93%

ICOP vs. SLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

ICOP has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is lower than SLV's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

ICOP vs. SLV - Dividend Comparison

ICOP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.63%, while SLV has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
ICOP iShares Copper and Metals Mining ETF	1.63%	2.08%	1.87%	2.15%
SLV iShares Silver Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ICOP and SLV in my portfolio?

ICOP and SLV have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ICOP or SLV?

SLV has higher volatility (16.30%) compared to ICOP (13.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ICOP dropped -38.67% vs SLV's -76.28%.

Which ETF is better, ICOP or SLV?

On 1-year performance, SLV leads with 110.59% vs 102.60% for ICOP. On fees, ICOP is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, ICOP has been the lower-risk option at 13.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ICOP or SLV?

Over the 1-year period, SLV has performed better with a 110.59% return vs 102.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ICOP or SLV?

ICOP is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for SLV.

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

ICOP has the higher dividend yield at 1.63%, compared with 0.00% for SLV.

What is the main difference between ICOP and SLV?

ICOP is categorized as Commodity Producers Equities, while SLV is Silver. ICOP tracks STOXX Global Copper and Metals Mining Index, while SLV tracks LBMA Silver Price. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for ICOP and 0.50% for SLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ICOP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.77 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.