SDG vs. SLV
SDG (iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF) and SLV (iShares Silver Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - SDG is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI ACWI Sustainable Development Index, while SLV is a Silver fund tracking the LBMA Silver Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SDG returned 8.63%/yr vs 15.55%/yr for SLV. At a 0.29 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.50% expense ratio.
Performance
SDG vs. SLV - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SDG achieves a 9.89% return, which is significantly higher than SLV's 2.78% return. Over the past 10 years, SDG has underperformed SLV with an annualized return of 8.63%, while SLV has yielded a comparatively higher 15.55% annualized return.
SDG
- 1D
- -0.33%
- 1M
- 4.20%
- YTD
- 9.89%
- 6M
- 9.62%
- 1Y
- 25.55%
- 3Y*
- 7.55%
- 5Y*
- 0.66%
- 10Y*
- 8.63%
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%
SDG vs. SLV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SDG iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF | 9.89% | 20.19% | -10.09% | 4.59% | -11.51% | -1.20% | 44.36% | 25.38% | -8.32% | 27.28% |
SLV iShares Silver Trust | 2.78% | 144.66% | 20.89% | -1.09% | 2.37% | -12.45% | 47.30% | 14.88% | -9.19% | 5.82% |
Correlation
The correlation between SDG and SLV is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.40 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.30 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 25, 2016 | 0.29 |
The correlation between SDG and SLV shifts across timeframes, from 0.29 (all time) to 0.40 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
SDG vs. SLV — Risk / Return Rank
SDG
SLV
SDG vs. SLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF (SDG) 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.
| SDG | SLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.11 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.41 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.35 | -0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.96 | 2.62 | +0.34 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.84 | 5.64 | +5.20 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| SDG | SLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.78 | 1.89 | -0.11 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.04 | 0.58 | -0.54 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.52 | 0.49 | +0.03 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.51 | 0.25 | +0.27 |
Drawdowns
SDG vs. SLV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SDG drawdown since its inception was -30.35%, smaller than the maximum SLV drawdown of -76.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDG and SLV.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| SDG | SLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -30.35% | -76.28% | +45.93% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.68% | -42.45% | +33.77% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -22.92% | -42.45% | +19.53% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -30.35% | -42.45% | +12.10% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -30.35% | -42.81% | +12.46% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.33% | -37.30% | +36.97% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.66% | -44.67% | +35.01% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.36% | 19.67% | -17.31% |
Volatility
SDG vs. SLV - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF (SDG) is 5.28%, while iShares Silver Trust (SLV) has a volatility of 16.30%. This indicates that SDG 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.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| SDG | SLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.28% | 16.30% | -11.02% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.07% | 58.31% | -47.24% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.41% | 58.90% | -44.49% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.63% | 36.15% | -20.52% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.68% | 31.84% | -15.16% |
SDG vs. SLV - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both SDG and SLV have an expense ratio of 0.50%.
Dividends
SDG vs. SLV - Dividend Comparison
SDG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.82%, while SLV has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SDG iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF | 1.82% | 2.00% | 1.95% | 1.77% | 1.82% | 1.66% | 0.97% | 1.39% | 2.47% | 2.54% | 1.34% |
SLV iShares Silver Trust | 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
SDG and SLV have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SLV has higher volatility (16.30%) compared to SDG (5.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDG dropped -30.35% vs SLV's -76.28%.
On 10-year performance, SLV leads with 15.55% vs 8.63% for SDG. Both ETFs have the same 0.50% expense ratio. On volatility, SDG has been the lower-risk option at 5.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, SLV has performed better with a 15.55% return vs 8.63%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SDG and SLV have the same expense ratio: 0.50% per year.
SDG has the higher dividend yield at 1.82%, compared with 0.00% for SLV.
SDG is categorized as Global Equities, while SLV is Silver. SDG tracks MSCI ACWI Sustainable Development Index, while SLV tracks LBMA Silver Price.
SLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs 1.78), 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.
Find the right allocation for SDG and SLV
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer