PSLV vs. SLVO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PSLV (Sprott Physical Silver Trust) and SLVO (UBS ETRACS Silver Shares Covered Call ETN) are both Silver funds - PSLV tracks the No Index (Physical Silver) while SLVO tracks the Credit Suisse NASDAQ Silver FLOWS 106 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, PSLV returned 100.09% vs 62.53% for SLVO. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PSLV charges 0.51%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for SLVO.

Performance

PSLV vs. SLVO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sprott Physical Silver Trust (PSLV) and UBS ETRACS Silver Shares Covered Call ETN (SLVO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSLV achieves a -1.78% return, which is significantly lower than SLVO's 13.49% return.

PSLV

• 1D: -2.76%
• 1M: -1.61%
• YTD: -1.78%
• 6M: 18.46%
• 1Y: 100.09%
• 3Y*: 41.73%
• 5Y*: 18.43%
• 10Y*: 13.97%

SLVO

• 1D: -1.17%
• 1M: 4.05%
• YTD: 13.49%
• 6M: 17.86%
• 1Y: 62.53%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PSLV vs. SLVO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PSLV Sprott Physical Silver Trust	-1.78%	145.08%	-6.40%
SLVO UBS ETRACS Silver Shares Covered Call ETN	13.49%	71.20%	1.24%

Correlation

The correlation between PSLV and SLVO is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 4, 2024	0.90

The correlation between PSLV and SLVO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PSLV vs. SLVO — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSLV

PSLV Risk / Return Rank: 79
PSLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
PSLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
PSLV Omega Ratio Rank: 81
PSLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
PSLV Martin Ratio Rank: 76

SLVO

SLVO Risk / Return Rank: 66
SLVO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
SLVO Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
SLVO Omega Ratio Rank: 72
SLVO Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
SLVO Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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. SLVO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Physical Silver Trust (PSLV) and UBS ETRACS Silver Shares Covered Call ETN (SLVO). 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	SLVO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	2.13	-0.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.96	2.39	-0.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.44	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.48	3.65	-1.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.50	15.01	-9.50
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. SLVO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSLV Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is comparable to the SLVO Sharpe Ratio of 2.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSLV and SLVO, 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

	PSLV	SLVO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.72	2.13	-0.41
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.17	1.61	-1.44

Drawdowns

PSLV vs. SLVO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSLV drawdown since its inception was -79.38%, which is greater than SLVO's maximum drawdown of -17.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSLV and SLVO.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSLV	SLVO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-79.38%	-17.23%	-62.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-40.65%	-17.23%	-23.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-40.65%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.65%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.79%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-36.11%	-3.22%	-32.89%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-58.15%	-3.13%	-55.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	18.25%	4.18%	+14.07%

Volatility

PSLV vs. SLVO - Volatility Comparison

Sprott Physical Silver Trust (PSLV) has a higher volatility of 16.57% compared to UBS ETRACS Silver Shares Covered Call ETN (SLVO) at 6.39%. This indicates that PSLV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SLVO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSLV	SLVO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.57%	6.39%	+10.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	57.35%	27.33%	+30.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	58.49%	29.53%	+28.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	35.64%	25.23%	+10.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.14%	25.23%	+5.91%

PSLV vs. SLVO - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSLV has a 0.51% expense ratio, which is lower than SLVO's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSLV vs. SLVO - Dividend Comparison

PSLV has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SLVO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 46.44%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
PSLV Sprott Physical Silver Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SLVO UBS ETRACS Silver Shares Covered Call ETN	46.44%	19.35%	14.45%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSLV and SLVO in my portfolio?

PSLV and SLVO have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PSLV or SLVO?

PSLV has higher volatility (16.57%) compared to SLVO (6.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSLV dropped -79.38% vs SLVO's -17.23%.

Which ETF is better, PSLV or SLVO?

On 1-year performance, PSLV leads with 100.09% vs 62.53% for SLVO. On fees, PSLV is cheaper at 0.51% per year. On volatility, SLVO has been the lower-risk option at 6.39%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PSLV or SLVO?

Over the 1-year period, PSLV has performed better with a 100.09% return vs 62.53%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PSLV or SLVO?

PSLV is cheaper with a 0.51% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for SLVO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PSLV or SLVO?

SLVO has the higher dividend yield at 46.44%, compared with 0.00% for PSLV.

What is the main difference between PSLV and SLVO?

PSLV tracks No Index (Physical Silver), while SLVO tracks Credit Suisse NASDAQ Silver FLOWS 106 Index. They also come from different issuers: Sprott and UBS. Their fees differ too: 0.51% for PSLV and 0.65% for SLVO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SLVO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.13 vs 1.72), 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.