OUNZ vs. SLV

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

OUNZ (VanEck Merk Gold Trust) and SLV (iShares Silver Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - OUNZ is a Precious Metals fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt), while SLV is a Silver fund tracking the LBMA Silver Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, OUNZ returned 13.33%/yr vs 15.85%/yr for SLV. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. OUNZ charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SLV.

Performance

OUNZ vs. SLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Merk Gold Trust (OUNZ) 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, OUNZ achieves a 4.03% return, which is significantly lower than SLV's 5.54% return. Over the past 10 years, OUNZ has underperformed SLV with an annualized return of 13.33%, while SLV has yielded a comparatively higher 15.85% annualized return.

OUNZ

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: -2.62%
• YTD: 4.03%
• 6M: 6.46%
• 1Y: 32.40%
• 3Y*: 31.70%
• 5Y*: 18.81%
• 10Y*: 13.33%

SLV

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: -0.44%
• YTD: 5.54%
• 6M: 27.97%
• 1Y: 115.23%
• 3Y*: 46.35%
• 5Y*: 21.71%
• 10Y*: 15.85%

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

OUNZ vs. SLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
OUNZ VanEck Merk Gold Trust	4.03%	63.95%	26.75%	12.83%	-0.51%	-4.00%	24.71%	18.00%	-2.06%	12.82%
SLV iShares Silver Trust	5.54%	144.66%	20.89%	-1.09%	2.37%	-12.45%	47.30%	14.88%	-9.19%	5.82%

Correlation

The correlation between OUNZ and SLV is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 19, 2014	0.77

The correlation between OUNZ and SLV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

OUNZ vs. SLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	OUNZ	SLV
Real Estate	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	100.0%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

OUNZ vs. SLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

OUNZ

OUNZ Risk / Return Rank: 34
OUNZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
OUNZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
OUNZ Omega Ratio Rank: 37
OUNZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
OUNZ Martin Ratio Rank: 31

SLV

SLV Risk / Return Rank: 52
SLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
SLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
SLV Omega Ratio Rank: 59
SLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
SLV Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

OUNZ vs. SLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Merk Gold Trust (OUNZ) 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.

	OUNZ	SLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.23	1.97	-0.74
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.63	2.12	-0.49
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.36	-0.12
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.87	2.98	-1.11
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.71	6.48	-1.77
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

OUNZ vs. SLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current OUNZ Sharpe Ratio is 1.23, which is lower than the SLV Sharpe Ratio of 1.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of OUNZ 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

	OUNZ	SLV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.23	1.97	-0.74
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.06	0.60	+0.45
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84	0.50	+0.34
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.25	+0.42

Drawdowns

OUNZ vs. SLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum OUNZ drawdown since its inception was -21.77%, smaller than the maximum SLV drawdown of -76.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for OUNZ and SLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	OUNZ	SLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.77%	-76.28%	+54.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.14%	-42.45%	+23.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.14%	-42.45%	+23.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.01%	-42.45%	+21.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-21.76%	-42.81%	+21.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-16.84%	-35.62%	+18.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.57%	-44.67%	+37.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.61%	19.53%	-11.92%

Volatility

OUNZ vs. SLV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Merk Gold Trust (OUNZ) is 5.77%, while iShares Silver Trust (SLV) has a volatility of 16.47%. This indicates that OUNZ 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

	OUNZ	SLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.77%	16.47%	-10.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.96%	58.29%	-35.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.50%	59.03%	-32.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.93%	36.15%	-18.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.96%	31.83%	-15.87%

OUNZ vs. SLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

OUNZ has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than SLV's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

OUNZ vs. SLV - Dividend Comparison

Neither OUNZ nor SLV has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both OUNZ and SLV in my portfolio?

OUNZ and SLV have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, OUNZ or SLV?

SLV has higher volatility (16.47%) compared to OUNZ (5.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, OUNZ dropped -21.77% vs SLV's -76.28%.

Which ETF is better, OUNZ or SLV?

On 10-year performance, SLV leads with 15.85% vs 13.33% for OUNZ. On fees, OUNZ is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, OUNZ has been the lower-risk option at 5.77%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, OUNZ or SLV?

Over the 10-year period, SLV has performed better with a 15.85% return vs 13.33%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, OUNZ or SLV?

OUNZ is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for SLV.

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

OUNZ and SLV have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between OUNZ and SLV?

OUNZ is categorized as Precious Metals, while SLV is Silver. OUNZ tracks LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt), while SLV tracks LBMA Silver Price. They also come from different issuers: Merk and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for OUNZ and 0.50% for SLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.97 vs 1.23), 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.