IFRA vs. SLV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IFRA (iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF) and SLV (iShares Silver Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - IFRA is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the NYSE FactSet U.S. Infrastructure Index, while SLV is a Silver fund tracking the LBMA Silver Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IFRA returned 13.03%/yr vs 20.76%/yr for SLV. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IFRA charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SLV.

Performance

IFRA vs. SLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF (IFRA) 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, IFRA achieves a 16.86% return, which is significantly higher than SLV's 2.78% return.

IFRA

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: -1.29%
• YTD: 16.86%
• 6M: 16.28%
• 1Y: 28.44%
• 3Y*: 20.10%
• 5Y*: 13.03%
• 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)

IFRA vs. SLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IFRA iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF	16.86%	15.90%	17.02%	13.42%	-3.32%	29.81%	7.37%	27.00%	-8.57%
SLV iShares Silver Trust	2.78%	144.66%	20.89%	-1.09%	2.37%	-12.45%	47.30%	14.88%	-6.02%

Correlation

The correlation between IFRA and SLV is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.25
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 6, 2018	0.23

IFRA vs. SLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IFRA	SLV
Industrials	39.4%	-
Utilities	37.7%	-
Basic Materials	14.7%	100.0%
Energy	7.9%	-
Consumer Cyclical	0.0%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.0%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

IFRA vs. SLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

IFRA

IFRA Risk / Return Rank: 60
IFRA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
IFRA Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
IFRA Omega Ratio Rank: 52
IFRA Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
IFRA Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

IFRA vs. SLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF (IFRA) 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.

	IFRA	SLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.94	1.89	+0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.85	2.07	+0.79
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.35	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.40	2.62	+0.78
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.70	5.64	+7.06
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IFRA vs. SLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IFRA Sharpe Ratio is 1.94, which is comparable to the SLV Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IFRA 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

	IFRA	SLV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.94	1.89	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	0.58	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.49	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.63	0.25	+0.39

Drawdowns

IFRA vs. SLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IFRA drawdown since its inception was -41.06%, smaller than the maximum SLV drawdown of -76.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IFRA and SLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	IFRA	SLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.06%	-76.28%	+35.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.40%	-42.45%	+34.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.93%	-42.45%	+22.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.93%	-42.45%	+22.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.81%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.66%	-37.30%	+34.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.14%	-44.67%	+39.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.25%	19.67%	-17.42%

Volatility

IFRA vs. SLV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF (IFRA) is 4.89%, while iShares Silver Trust (SLV) has a volatility of 16.30%. This indicates that IFRA 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

	IFRA	SLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.89%	16.30%	-11.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.32%	58.31%	-46.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.79%	58.90%	-44.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.92%	36.15%	-18.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.38%	31.84%	-10.46%

IFRA vs. SLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

IFRA has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than SLV's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

IFRA vs. SLV - Dividend Comparison

IFRA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.59%, while SLV has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IFRA iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF	1.59%	1.84%	1.75%	1.98%	1.98%	1.63%	2.08%	1.68%	2.50%
SLV iShares Silver Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IFRA and SLV in my portfolio?

IFRA and SLV have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IFRA or SLV?

SLV has higher volatility (16.30%) compared to IFRA (4.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IFRA dropped -41.06% vs SLV's -76.28%.

Which ETF is better, IFRA or SLV?

On 5-year performance, SLV leads with 20.76% vs 13.03% for IFRA. On fees, IFRA is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, IFRA has been the lower-risk option at 4.89%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IFRA or SLV?

Over the 5-year period, SLV has performed better with a 20.76% return vs 13.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IFRA or SLV?

IFRA is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for SLV.

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

IFRA has the higher dividend yield at 1.59%, compared with 0.00% for SLV.

What is the main difference between IFRA and SLV?

IFRA is categorized as Industrials Equities, while SLV is Silver. IFRA tracks NYSE FactSet U.S. Infrastructure Index, while SLV tracks LBMA Silver Price. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for IFRA and 0.50% for SLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IFRA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.94 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.