SIL vs. DIA

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

SIL (Global X Silver Miners ETF) and DIA (State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - SIL is a Silver fund tracking the Solactive Global Silver Miners Total Return Index, while DIA is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SIL returned 9.80%/yr vs 13.40%/yr for DIA. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SIL charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.16%/yr for DIA.

Performance

SIL vs. DIA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X Silver Miners ETF (SIL) and State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SIL achieves a -2.20% return, which is significantly lower than DIA's 7.27% return. Over the past 10 years, SIL has underperformed DIA with an annualized return of 9.80%, while DIA has yielded a comparatively higher 13.40% annualized return.

SIL

• 1D: 3.27%
• 1M: -20.41%
• YTD: -2.20%
• 6M: 0.10%
• 1Y: 70.58%
• 3Y*: 46.50%
• 5Y*: 12.56%
• 10Y*: 9.80%

DIA

• 1D: 0.73%
• 1M: 3.26%
• YTD: 7.27%
• 6M: 6.43%
• 1Y: 21.01%
• 3Y*: 16.29%
• 5Y*: 10.14%
• 10Y*: 13.40%

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

SIL vs. DIA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SIL Global X Silver Miners ETF	-2.20%	166.16%	14.62%	1.31%	-22.83%	-18.35%	40.30%	34.78%	-22.42%	1.67%
DIA State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust	7.27%	14.71%	14.82%	16.02%	-7.02%	20.83%	9.59%	24.70%	-3.74%	28.08%

Correlation

The correlation between SIL and DIA is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.30
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.24
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 20, 2010	0.26

The correlation between SIL and DIA shifts across timeframes, from 0.24 (10 years) to 0.36 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SIL vs. DIA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SIL	DIA
Basic Materials	99.8%	4.0%
Consumer Defensive	0.2%	4.4%
Communication Services	-	1.9%
Consumer Cyclical	-	11.6%
Energy	-	2.4%
Financial Services	-	27.2%
Healthcare	-	13.1%
Industrials	-	18.4%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	17.1%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

SIL vs. DIA — Risk / Return Rank

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

SIL

SIL Risk / Return Rank: 41
SIL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
SIL Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
SIL Omega Ratio Rank: 43
SIL Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
SIL Martin Ratio Rank: 37

DIA

DIA Risk / Return Rank: 55
DIA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
DIA Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
DIA Omega Ratio Rank: 55
DIA Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
DIA Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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.

SIL vs. DIA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Silver Miners ETF (SIL) and State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA). 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.

	SIL	DIA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.37	1.69	-0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.79	2.46	-0.67
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.30	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.91	2.16	-0.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.09	8.35	-3.26

SIL vs. DIA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SIL Sharpe Ratio is 1.37, which is comparable to the DIA Sharpe Ratio of 1.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SIL and DIA, 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

SIL vs. DIA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SIL drawdown since its inception was -82.99%, which is greater than DIA's maximum drawdown of -51.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SIL and DIA.

Drawdown Indicators

	SIL	DIA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-82.99%	-51.87%	-31.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-37.08%	-9.76%	-27.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-37.08%	-15.95%	-21.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-54.29%	-20.76%	-33.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-63.04%	-36.70%	-26.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-30.80%	-0.70%	-30.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-51.40%	-7.14%	-44.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.90%	2.53%	+11.37%

Volatility

SIL vs. DIA - Volatility Comparison

Global X Silver Miners ETF (SIL) has a higher volatility of 19.29% compared to State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA) at 4.32%. This indicates that SIL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DIA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SIL	DIA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	19.29%	4.32%	+14.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	43.57%	9.78%	+33.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	51.69%	12.52%	+39.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	39.64%	14.85%	+24.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	39.81%	17.56%	+22.25%

SIL vs. DIA - Expense Ratio Comparison

SIL has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than DIA's 0.16% expense ratio.

Dividends

SIL vs. DIA - Dividend Comparison

SIL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.21%, less than DIA's 1.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DIA State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust	1.37%	1.43%	1.61%	1.81%	1.91%	1.58%	1.87%	1.85%	2.24%	1.97%	2.26%	2.33%
SIL Global X Silver Miners ETF	1.21%	1.18%	2.40%	0.59%	0.48%	1.59%	1.92%	1.53%	1.21%	0.02%	3.34%	0.38%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SIL and DIA in my portfolio?

SIL and DIA have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SIL or DIA?

SIL has higher volatility (19.29%) compared to DIA (4.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SIL dropped -82.99% vs DIA's -51.87%.

Which ETF is better, SIL or DIA?

On 10-year performance, DIA leads with 13.40% vs 9.80% for SIL. On fees, DIA is cheaper at 0.16% per year. On volatility, DIA has been the lower-risk option at 4.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SIL or DIA?

Over the 10-year period, DIA has performed better with a 13.40% return vs 9.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SIL or DIA?

DIA is cheaper with a 0.16% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for SIL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SIL or DIA?

DIA has the higher dividend yield at 1.37%, compared with 1.21% for SIL.

What is the main difference between SIL and DIA?

SIL is categorized as Silver, while DIA is Large Cap Blend Equities. SIL tracks Solactive Global Silver Miners Total Return Index, while DIA tracks Dow Jones Industrial Average. They also come from different issuers: Global X and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for SIL and 0.16% for DIA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DIA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.69 vs 1.37), 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.