IYY vs. SLV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IYY (iShares Dow Jones U.S. ETF) and SLV (iShares Silver Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - IYY is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Index, while SLV is a Silver fund tracking the LBMA Silver Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IYY returned 15.01%/yr vs 15.55%/yr for SLV. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IYY charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SLV.

Performance

IYY vs. SLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Dow Jones U.S. ETF (IYY) 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, IYY achieves a 10.92% return, which is significantly higher than SLV's 2.78% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IYY having a 15.01% annualized return and SLV not far ahead at 15.55%.

IYY

• 1D: -0.73%
• 1M: 5.06%
• YTD: 10.92%
• 6M: 10.83%
• 1Y: 27.47%
• 3Y*: 22.10%
• 5Y*: 12.92%
• 10Y*: 15.01%

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)

IYY vs. SLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IYY iShares Dow Jones U.S. ETF	10.92%	17.08%	24.15%	26.48%	-19.57%	26.38%	20.10%	30.78%	-5.16%	21.33%
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 IYY and SLV is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.25
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 1, 2006	0.21

IYY vs. SLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IYY	SLV
Technology	34.8%	-
Financial Services	12.0%	-
Communication Services	10.7%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	-
Industrials	9.0%	-
Healthcare	8.6%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	-
Energy	3.6%	-
Utilities	2.3%	-
Real Estate	2.2%	-
Basic Materials	2.0%	100.0%

Return for Risk

IYY vs. SLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

IYY

IYY Risk / Return Rank: 68
IYY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
IYY Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
IYY Omega Ratio Rank: 68
IYY Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
IYY Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

IYY vs. SLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Dow Jones U.S. ETF (IYY) 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.

	IYY	SLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.30	1.89	+0.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.16	2.07	+1.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.35	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.09	2.62	+0.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.19	5.64	+8.55
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IYY vs. SLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IYY Sharpe Ratio is 2.30, which is comparable to the SLV Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IYY 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

	IYY	SLV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.30	1.89	+0.41
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.58	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83	0.49	+0.34
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.25	+0.20

Drawdowns

IYY vs. SLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IYY drawdown since its inception was -55.17%, smaller than the maximum SLV drawdown of -76.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYY and SLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	IYY	SLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.17%	-76.28%	+21.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.94%	-42.45%	+33.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.06%	-42.45%	+23.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.46%	-42.45%	+16.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.90%	-42.81%	+7.91%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.73%	-37.30%	+36.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.84%	-44.67%	+33.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.94%	19.67%	-17.73%

Volatility

IYY vs. SLV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Dow Jones U.S. ETF (IYY) is 2.93%, while iShares Silver Trust (SLV) has a volatility of 16.30%. This indicates that IYY 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

	IYY	SLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.93%	16.30%	-13.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.04%	58.31%	-49.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.01%	58.90%	-46.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.12%	36.15%	-19.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.16%	31.84%	-13.68%

IYY vs. SLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

IYY has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than SLV's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

IYY vs. SLV - Dividend Comparison

IYY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, while SLV has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IYY iShares Dow Jones U.S. ETF	0.87%	0.95%	1.05%	1.29%	1.48%	1.04%	1.31%	1.80%	1.97%	1.62%	1.81%	1.97%
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

Can I hold both IYY and SLV in my portfolio?

IYY and SLV have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IYY or SLV?

SLV has higher volatility (16.30%) compared to IYY (2.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYY dropped -55.17% vs SLV's -76.28%.

Which ETF is better, IYY or SLV?

On 10-year performance, SLV leads with 15.55% vs 15.01% for IYY. On fees, IYY is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, IYY has been the lower-risk option at 2.93%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IYY or SLV?

Over the 10-year period, SLV has performed better with a 15.55% return vs 15.01%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IYY or SLV?

IYY is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for SLV.

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

IYY has the higher dividend yield at 0.87%, compared with 0.00% for SLV.

What is the main difference between IYY and SLV?

IYY is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while SLV is Silver. IYY tracks Dow Jones U.S. Index, while SLV tracks LBMA Silver Price. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for IYY and 0.50% for SLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IYY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.30 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.