SIL vs. ITA

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

SIL (Global X Silver Miners ETF) and ITA (iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SIL is a Silver fund tracking the Solactive Global Silver Miners Total Return Index, while ITA is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SIL returned 9.24%/yr vs 14.86%/yr for ITA. At a 0.24 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SIL charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for ITA.

Performance

SIL vs. ITA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X Silver Miners ETF (SIL) and iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SIL achieves a -4.72% return, which is significantly lower than ITA's 5.92% return. Over the past 10 years, SIL has underperformed ITA with an annualized return of 9.24%, while ITA has yielded a comparatively higher 14.86% annualized return.

SIL

• 1D: 0.38%
• 1M: -18.16%
• YTD: -4.72%
• 6M: 7.62%
• 1Y: 66.61%
• 3Y*: 44.84%
• 5Y*: 12.27%
• 10Y*: 9.24%

ITA

• 1D: -0.95%
• 1M: 1.69%
• YTD: 5.92%
• 6M: 11.28%
• 1Y: 25.56%
• 3Y*: 26.35%
• 5Y*: 16.26%
• 10Y*: 14.86%

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

SIL vs. ITA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SIL Global X Silver Miners ETF	-4.72%	166.16%	14.62%	1.31%	-22.83%	-18.35%	40.30%	34.78%	-22.42%	1.67%
ITA iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF	5.92%	48.64%	15.81%	14.33%	9.96%	9.39%	-13.57%	30.51%	-7.22%	35.24%

Correlation

The correlation between SIL and ITA is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.30
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 21, 2010	0.24

The correlation between SIL and ITA shifts across timeframes, from 0.21 (10 years) to 0.34 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SIL vs. ITA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SIL	ITA
Basic Materials	99.8%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.2%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	99.8%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	0.1%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

SIL vs. ITA — Risk / Return Rank

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

SIL

SIL Risk / Return Rank: 40
SIL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
SIL Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
SIL Omega Ratio Rank: 40
SIL Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
SIL Martin Ratio Rank: 36

ITA

ITA Risk / Return Rank: 36
ITA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
ITA Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
ITA Omega Ratio Rank: 35
ITA Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
ITA Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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. ITA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Silver Miners ETF (SIL) and iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA). 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.

	SIL	ITA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.31	1.22	+0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.73	1.81	-0.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.21	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.03	1.62	+0.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.05	4.35	+0.70
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SIL vs. ITA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SIL Sharpe Ratio is 1.31, which is comparable to the ITA Sharpe Ratio of 1.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SIL and ITA, 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

	SIL	ITA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.31	1.22	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31	0.81	-0.50
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.23	0.64	-0.41
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.12	0.51	-0.39

Drawdowns

SIL vs. ITA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SIL drawdown since its inception was -82.99%, which is greater than ITA's maximum drawdown of -59.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SIL and ITA.

Drawdown Indicators

	SIL	ITA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-82.99%	-59.72%	-23.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-32.91%	-15.82%	-17.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.91%	-15.82%	-17.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-55.08%	-18.72%	-36.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-63.04%	-51.00%	-12.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-32.58%	-9.25%	-23.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-51.43%	-9.46%	-41.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.24%	5.89%	+7.35%

Volatility

SIL vs. ITA - Volatility Comparison

Global X Silver Miners ETF (SIL) has a higher volatility of 18.38% compared to iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) at 7.09%. This indicates that SIL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ITA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SIL	ITA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	18.38%	7.09%	+11.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	43.02%	17.68%	+25.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	51.09%	21.12%	+29.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	39.48%	20.07%	+19.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	39.73%	23.17%	+16.56%

SIL vs. ITA - Expense Ratio Comparison

SIL has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than ITA's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

SIL vs. ITA - Dividend Comparison

SIL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.24%, more than ITA's 0.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ITA iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.47%	0.55%	0.85%	0.93%	0.95%	0.82%	1.07%	1.54%	1.13%	0.91%	1.07%	1.04%
SIL Global X Silver Miners ETF	1.24%	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 ITA in my portfolio?

SIL and ITA have a correlation of 0.34, 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 ITA?

SIL has higher volatility (18.38%) compared to ITA (7.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SIL dropped -82.99% vs ITA's -59.72%.

Which ETF is better, SIL or ITA?

On 10-year performance, ITA leads with 14.86% vs 9.24% for SIL. On fees, ITA is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, ITA has been the lower-risk option at 7.09%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SIL or ITA?

Over the 10-year period, ITA has performed better with a 14.86% return vs 9.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SIL or ITA?

ITA is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for SIL.

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

SIL has the higher dividend yield at 1.24%, compared with 0.47% for ITA.

What is the main difference between SIL and ITA?

SIL is categorized as Silver, while ITA is Aerospace & Defense. SIL tracks Solactive Global Silver Miners Total Return Index, while ITA tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for SIL and 0.38% for ITA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SIL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.31 vs 1.22), 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.