IGV vs. SLV
IGV (iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF) and SLV (iShares Silver Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - IGV is a Technology Equities fund tracking the S&P North American Expanded Technology Software Index, while SLV is a Silver fund tracking the LBMA Silver Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IGV returned 15.79%/yr vs 10.19%/yr for SLV. At a 0.15 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IGV charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SLV.
Performance
IGV vs. SLV - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IGV achieves a -11.33% return, which is significantly higher than SLV's -21.78% return. Over the past 10 years, IGV has outperformed SLV with an annualized return of 15.79%, while SLV has yielded a comparatively lower 10.19% annualized return.
IGV
- 1D
- -0.26%
- 1M
- 2.55%
- 6M
- -6.08%
- YTD
- -11.33%
- 1Y
- -14.65%
- 3Y*
- 8.87%
- 5Y*
- 3.81%
- 10Y*
- 15.79%
SLV
- 1D
- -3.49%
- 1M
- -20.51%
- 6M
- -39.52%
- YTD
- -21.78%
- 1Y
- 46.44%
- 3Y*
- 30.28%
- 5Y*
- 16.22%
- 10Y*
- 10.19%
IGV vs. SLV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IGV iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF | -11.33% | 5.56% | 23.41% | 58.56% | -35.65% | 12.30% | 52.86% | 34.33% | 12.44% | 42.16% |
SLV iShares Silver Trust | -21.78% | 144.66% | 20.89% | -1.09% | 2.37% | -12.45% | 47.30% | 14.88% | -9.19% | 5.82% |
Correlation
The correlation between IGV and SLV is 0.14, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.14 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.15 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.15 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 28, 2006 | 0.15 |
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Return for Risk
IGV vs. SLV — Risk / Return Rank
IGV
SLV
IGV vs. SLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (IGV) 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.
| IGV | SLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.28 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.79 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.93 | 1.19 | -0.26 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.40 | 0.89 | -1.29 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.78 | 1.85 | -2.63 |
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Drawdowns
IGV vs. SLV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IGV drawdown since its inception was -63.45%, smaller than the maximum SLV drawdown of -76.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IGV and SLV.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IGV | SLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -63.45% | -76.28% | +12.83% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -36.61% | -52.28% | +15.67% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -36.61% | -52.28% | +15.67% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -45.85% | -52.28% | +6.43% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -45.85% | -52.28% | +6.43% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -20.44% | -52.28% | +31.84% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -14.48% | -44.67% | +30.19% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 18.79% | 25.22% | -6.43% |
Volatility
IGV vs. SLV - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (IGV) is 7.72%, while iShares Silver Trust (SLV) has a volatility of 12.88%. This indicates that IGV 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
| IGV | SLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.72% | 12.88% | -5.16% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 25.28% | 57.02% | -31.74% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 28.66% | 61.12% | -32.46% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 28.09% | 36.88% | -8.79% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 26.40% | 32.18% | -5.78% |
IGV vs. SLV - Expense Ratio Comparison
IGV has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is lower than SLV's 0.50% expense ratio.
Dividends
IGV vs. SLV - Dividend Comparison
IGV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.02%, while SLV has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IGV iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.35% | 0.02% | 0.16% | 0.09% | 0.82% | 0.22% |
SLV iShares Silver Trust | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IGV and SLV have a correlation of 0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SLV has higher volatility (12.88%) compared to IGV (7.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IGV dropped -63.45% vs SLV's -76.28%.
On 10-year performance, IGV leads with 15.79% vs 10.19% for SLV. On fees, IGV is cheaper at 0.39% per year. On volatility, IGV has been the lower-risk option at 7.72%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IGV has performed better with a 15.79% return vs 10.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IGV is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for SLV.
IGV has the higher dividend yield at 0.02%, compared with 0.00% for SLV.
IGV is categorized as Technology Equities, while SLV is Silver. IGV tracks S&P North American Expanded Technology Software Index, while SLV tracks LBMA Silver Price. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for IGV and 0.50% for SLV.
SLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.76 vs -0.51), 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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