PSLV vs. SLV

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Sprott Physical Silver Trust (PSLV) and iShares Silver Trust (SLV).

SLV is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the LBMA Silver Price. It was launched on Apr 21, 2006.

Performance

PSLV vs. SLV - Performance Comparison

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

PSLV vs. SLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PSLV Sprott Physical Silver Trust	3.34%	145.08%	19.43%	-1.94%	2.74%	-14.13%	42.81%	16.99%	-11.83%	4.28%
SLV iShares Silver Trust	5.77%	144.66%	20.89%	-1.09%	2.37%	-12.45%	47.30%	14.88%	-9.19%	5.82%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSLV achieves a 3.34% return, which is significantly lower than SLV's 5.77% return. Over the past 10 years, PSLV has underperformed SLV with an annualized return of 14.89%, while SLV has yielded a comparatively higher 16.87% annualized return.

PSLV

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: -17.82%
• YTD: 3.34%
• 6M: 53.32%
• 1Y: 112.15%
• 3Y*: 43.10%
• 5Y*: 22.22%
• 10Y*: 14.89%

SLV

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -16.46%
• YTD: 5.77%
• 6M: 58.80%
• 1Y: 122.46%
• 3Y*: 45.50%
• 5Y*: 24.10%
• 10Y*: 16.87%

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

Return for Risk

PSLV vs. SLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSLV

PSLV Risk / Return Rank: 85
PSLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
PSLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
PSLV Omega Ratio Rank: 88
PSLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
PSLV Martin Ratio Rank: 86

SLV

SLV Risk / Return Rank: 86
SLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
SLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
SLV Omega Ratio Rank: 91
SLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
SLV Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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. SLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	PSLV	SLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.00	2.16	-0.16
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.14	2.23	-0.09
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.40	-0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.72	2.82	-0.10
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.63	8.70	-0.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PSLV vs. SLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSLV Sharpe Ratio is 2.00, which is comparable to the SLV Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSLV and SLV, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PSLV	SLV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.00	2.16	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.69	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	0.54	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.19	0.25	-0.07

Correlation

The correlation between PSLV and SLV is 0.95, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

PSLV vs. SLV - Dividend Comparison

Neither PSLV nor SLV has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Drawdowns

PSLV vs. SLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSLV drawdown since its inception was -79.38%, roughly equal to the maximum SLV drawdown of -76.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSLV and SLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSLV	SLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-79.38%	-76.28%	-3.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-40.65%	-42.45%	+1.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.65%	-42.45%	+1.80%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.79%	-42.81%	+0.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-32.78%	-35.47%	+2.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-58.44%	-44.76%	-13.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.83%	13.77%	-0.94%

Volatility

PSLV vs. SLV - Volatility Comparison

Sprott Physical Silver Trust (PSLV) has a higher volatility of 17.89% compared to iShares Silver Trust (SLV) at 16.96%. This indicates that PSLV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSLV	SLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	17.89%	16.96%	+0.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	56.41%	57.27%	-0.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	56.50%	57.07%	-0.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	34.62%	35.27%	-0.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	30.69%	31.35%	-0.66%