ION vs. SLV

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

ION (Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF) and SLV (iShares Silver Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - ION is a Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Global Core Battery Metals Index - Benchmark TR Net, while SLV is a Silver fund tracking the LBMA Silver Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, ION returned 14.09%/yr vs 40.36%/yr for SLV. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ION charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SLV.

Performance

ION vs. SLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF (ION) 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, ION achieves a 2.59% return, which is significantly higher than SLV's -4.41% return.

ION

• 1D: -1.58%
• 1M: -20.78%
• YTD: 2.59%
• 6M: 12.15%
• 1Y: 90.17%
• 3Y*: 14.09%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SLV

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: -15.66%
• YTD: -4.41%
• 6M: 16.83%
• 1Y: 88.38%
• 3Y*: 40.36%
• 5Y*: 19.02%
• 10Y*: 14.08%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ION vs. SLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
ION Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF	2.59%	108.37%	-20.02%	-14.10%	-8.86%
SLV iShares Silver Trust	-4.41%	144.66%	20.89%	-1.09%	4.96%

Correlation

The correlation between ION and SLV is 0.53, 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	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 2, 2022	0.48

The correlation between ION and SLV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.48 to 0.53 - a consistent structural relationship.

ION vs. SLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ION	SLV
Basic Materials	14.5%	100.0%
Financial Services	13.0%	-
Energy	2.4%	-
Real Estate	2.4%	-
Healthcare	1.7%	-
Industrials	1.6%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

ION vs. SLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

ION

ION Risk / Return Rank: 74
ION Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
ION Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
ION Omega Ratio Rank: 67
ION Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
ION Martin Ratio Rank: 76

SLV

SLV Risk / Return Rank: 43
SLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
SLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
SLV Omega Ratio Rank: 54
SLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
SLV Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

ION vs. SLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF (ION) 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.

	ION	SLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.35	1.50	+0.86
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.72	1.80	+0.92
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.30	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.89	2.09	+1.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.03	4.40	+8.63
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ION vs. SLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ION Sharpe Ratio is 2.35, which is higher than the SLV Sharpe Ratio of 1.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ION 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

	ION	SLV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.35	1.50	+0.86
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.53	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.44	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.28	0.23	+0.05

Drawdowns

ION vs. SLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ION drawdown since its inception was -52.08%, smaller than the maximum SLV drawdown of -76.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ION and SLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	ION	SLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.08%	-76.28%	+24.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.30%	-42.45%	+19.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-46.47%	-42.45%	-4.02%
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	-22.62%	-41.69%	+19.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-23.69%	-44.67%	+20.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.95%	20.15%	-13.20%

Volatility

ION vs. SLV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF (ION) is 12.49%, while iShares Silver Trust (SLV) has a volatility of 16.89%. This indicates that ION 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

	ION	SLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.49%	16.89%	-4.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	30.83%	58.88%	-28.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	38.64%	59.53%	-20.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.28%	36.33%	-5.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.28%	31.92%	-0.64%

ION vs. SLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

ION has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than SLV's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

ION vs. SLV - Dividend Comparison

ION's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.55%, while SLV has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
ION Proshares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF	1.55%	1.63%	1.74%	2.23%	0.13%
SLV iShares Silver Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ION and SLV in my portfolio?

ION and SLV have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ION or SLV?

SLV has higher volatility (16.89%) compared to ION (12.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ION dropped -52.08% vs SLV's -76.28%.

Which ETF is better, ION or SLV?

On 3-year performance, SLV leads with 40.36% vs 14.09% for ION. On fees, SLV is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, ION has been the lower-risk option at 12.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ION or SLV?

Over the 3-year period, SLV has performed better with a 40.36% return vs 14.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ION or SLV?

SLV is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for ION.

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

ION has the higher dividend yield at 1.55%, compared with 0.00% for SLV.

What is the main difference between ION and SLV?

ION is categorized as Energy Equities, while SLV is Silver. ION tracks S&P Global Core Battery Metals Index - Benchmark TR Net, while SLV tracks LBMA Silver Price. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for ION and 0.50% for SLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ION currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.35 vs 1.50), 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.