PSLV vs. CEF

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PSLV (Sprott Physical Silver Trust) and CEF (Sprott Physical Gold and Silver Trust) are both funds - PSLV is a Silver fund tracking the No Index (Physical Silver), while CEF is a Gold fund actively managed by Sprott. PSLV is passively managed, while CEF is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, PSLV returned 11.08%/yr vs 11.67%/yr for CEF. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PSLV charges 0.51%/yr vs 0.48%/yr for CEF.

Performance

PSLV vs. CEF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sprott Physical Silver Trust (PSLV) and Sprott Physical Gold and Silver Trust (CEF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSLV achieves a -17.80% return, which is significantly lower than CEF's -9.78% return. Over the past 10 years, PSLV has underperformed CEF with an annualized return of 11.08%, while CEF has yielded a comparatively higher 11.67% annualized return.

PSLV

• 1D: -5.68%
• 1M: -19.80%
• YTD: -17.80%
• 6M: -18.11%
• 1Y: 58.69%
• 3Y*: 36.40%
• 5Y*: 16.01%
• 10Y*: 11.08%

CEF

• 1D: -3.46%
• 1M: -12.70%
• YTD: -9.78%
• 6M: -12.85%
• 1Y: 35.34%
• 3Y*: 32.09%
• 5Y*: 17.15%
• 10Y*: 11.67%

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

PSLV vs. CEF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PSLV Sprott Physical Silver Trust	-17.80%	145.08%	19.43%	-1.94%	2.74%	-14.13%	42.81%	16.99%	-11.83%	4.28%
CEF Sprott Physical Gold and Silver Trust	-9.78%	92.76%	24.07%	6.80%	1.07%	-8.32%	31.99%	16.91%	-6.34%	18.78%

Correlation

The correlation between PSLV and CEF is 0.95, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 29, 2010	0.87

The correlation between PSLV and CEF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PSLV vs. CEF — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSLV

PSLV Risk / Return Rank: 28
PSLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
PSLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
PSLV Omega Ratio Rank: 34
PSLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
PSLV Martin Ratio Rank: 23

CEF

CEF Risk / Return Rank: 13
CEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
CEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
CEF Omega Ratio Rank: 16
CEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
CEF Martin Ratio Rank: 11

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.

PSLV vs. CEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Physical Silver Trust (PSLV) and Sprott Physical Gold and Silver Trust (CEF). 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.

	PSLV	CEF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.98	0.91	+0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.41	1.28	+0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.19	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.27	1.18	+0.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.87	2.94	-0.07

PSLV vs. CEF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSLV Sharpe Ratio is 0.98, which is comparable to the CEF Sharpe Ratio of 0.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSLV and CEF, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

PSLV vs. CEF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSLV drawdown since its inception was -79.38%, which is greater than CEF's maximum drawdown of -62.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSLV and CEF.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSLV	CEF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-79.38%	-62.29%	-17.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-46.53%	-30.21%	-16.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-46.53%	-30.21%	-16.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.53%	-30.21%	-16.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.53%	-30.21%	-16.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-46.53%	-30.21%	-16.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-58.08%	-27.33%	-30.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	20.53%	12.06%	+8.47%

Volatility

PSLV vs. CEF - Volatility Comparison

Sprott Physical Silver Trust (PSLV) has a higher volatility of 14.94% compared to Sprott Physical Gold and Silver Trust (CEF) at 10.98%. This indicates that PSLV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CEF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSLV	CEF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.94%	10.98%	+3.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	58.49%	36.46%	+22.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	60.09%	39.22%	+20.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.15%	24.62%	+11.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.42%	22.02%	+9.40%

PSLV vs. CEF - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSLV has a 0.51% expense ratio, which is higher than CEF's 0.48% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSLV vs. CEF - Dividend Comparison

Neither PSLV nor CEF has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CEF Sprott Physical Gold and Silver Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.08%	0.07%	0.09%	0.10%
PSLV Sprott Physical 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 PSLV and CEF in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, PSLV and CEF move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, PSLV or CEF?

PSLV has higher volatility (14.94%) compared to CEF (10.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSLV dropped -79.38% vs CEF's -62.29%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PSLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.98 vs 0.91), 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.