LDRT vs. SLV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LDRT (iShares iBonds 1-5 Year Treasury Ladder ETF) and SLV (iShares Silver Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - LDRT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the BlackRock iBonds® 1-5 Year Treasury Ladder Index, while SLV is a Silver fund tracking the LBMA Silver Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, LDRT returned 3.88% vs 110.59% for SLV. At a 0.10 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. LDRT charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SLV.

Performance

LDRT vs. SLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares iBonds 1-5 Year Treasury Ladder ETF (LDRT) 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, LDRT achieves a 0.72% return, which is significantly lower than SLV's 2.78% return.

LDRT

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 0.06%
• YTD: 0.72%
• 6M: 0.95%
• 1Y: 3.88%
• 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)

LDRT vs. SLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
LDRT iShares iBonds 1-5 Year Treasury Ladder ETF	0.72%	5.55%	0.44%
SLV iShares Silver Trust	2.78%	144.66%	-7.55%

Correlation

The correlation between LDRT and SLV is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 11, 2024	0.10

Return for Risk

LDRT vs. SLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

LDRT

LDRT Risk / Return Rank: 50
LDRT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
LDRT Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
LDRT Omega Ratio Rank: 45
LDRT Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
LDRT Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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.

LDRT vs. SLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares iBonds 1-5 Year Treasury Ladder ETF (LDRT) 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.

	LDRT	SLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.39	1.89	-0.50
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.09	2.07	+0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.35	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.50	2.62	+0.88
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.35	5.64	+3.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LDRT vs. SLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LDRT Sharpe Ratio is 1.39, which is comparable to the SLV Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LDRT 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

	LDRT	SLV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.39	1.89	-0.50
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	1.55	0.25	+1.31

Drawdowns

LDRT vs. SLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LDRT drawdown since its inception was -1.11%, smaller than the maximum SLV drawdown of -76.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LDRT and SLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	LDRT	SLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.11%	-76.28%	+75.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.11%	-42.45%	+41.34%
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	-0.52%	-37.30%	+36.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.32%	-44.67%	+44.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.42%	19.67%	-19.25%

Volatility

LDRT vs. SLV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares iBonds 1-5 Year Treasury Ladder ETF (LDRT) is 0.88%, while iShares Silver Trust (SLV) has a volatility of 16.30%. This indicates that LDRT 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

	LDRT	SLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.88%	16.30%	-15.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.65%	58.31%	-56.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.80%	58.90%	-56.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.79%	36.15%	-33.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.79%	31.84%	-29.05%

LDRT vs. SLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

LDRT has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than SLV's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

LDRT vs. SLV - Dividend Comparison

LDRT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.09%, while SLV has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
LDRT iShares iBonds 1-5 Year Treasury Ladder ETF	4.09%	3.86%	0.69%
SLV iShares Silver Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LDRT and SLV in my portfolio?

LDRT and SLV have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LDRT or SLV?

SLV has higher volatility (16.30%) compared to LDRT (0.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LDRT dropped -1.11% vs SLV's -76.28%.

Which ETF is better, LDRT or SLV?

On 1-year performance, SLV leads with 110.59% vs 3.88% for LDRT. On fees, LDRT is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, LDRT has been the lower-risk option at 0.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LDRT or SLV?

Over the 1-year period, SLV has performed better with a 110.59% return vs 3.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LDRT or SLV?

LDRT is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for SLV.

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

LDRT has the higher dividend yield at 4.09%, compared with 0.00% for SLV.

What is the main difference between LDRT and SLV?

LDRT is categorized as Government Bonds, while SLV is Silver. LDRT tracks BlackRock iBonds® 1-5 Year Treasury Ladder Index, while SLV tracks LBMA Silver Price. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for LDRT and 0.50% for SLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs 1.39), 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.