SILJ vs. GLD
SILJ (Amplify Junior Silver Miners ETF) and GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - SILJ is a Silver fund tracking the Nasdaq Junior Silver Miners Index, while GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SILJ returned 8.82%/yr vs 12.15%/yr for GLD. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SILJ charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for GLD.
Performance
SILJ vs. GLD - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SILJ achieves a -1.77% return, which is significantly higher than GLD's -2.47% return. Over the past 10 years, SILJ has underperformed GLD with an annualized return of 8.82%, while GLD has yielded a comparatively higher 12.15% annualized return.
SILJ
- 1D
- 3.23%
- 1M
- -17.41%
- YTD
- -1.77%
- 6M
- 0.26%
- 1Y
- 84.73%
- 3Y*
- 45.21%
- 5Y*
- 11.38%
- 10Y*
- 8.82%
GLD
- 1D
- 0.06%
- 1M
- -7.37%
- YTD
- -2.47%
- 6M
- -2.25%
- 1Y
- 22.21%
- 3Y*
- 28.89%
- 5Y*
- 17.08%
- 10Y*
- 12.15%
SILJ vs. GLD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SILJ Amplify Junior Silver Miners ETF | -1.77% | 183.89% | 6.39% | -5.21% | -15.42% | -23.21% | 33.00% | 57.06% | -27.95% | -5.65% |
GLD SPDR Gold Shares | -2.47% | 63.68% | 26.66% | 12.69% | -0.77% | -4.15% | 24.81% | 17.86% | -1.94% | 12.81% |
Correlation
The correlation between SILJ and GLD is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.75 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.72 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.71 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.70 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 29, 2012 | 0.68 |
The correlation between SILJ and GLD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.
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
SILJ vs. GLD — Risk / Return Rank
SILJ
GLD
SILJ vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Amplify Junior Silver Miners ETF (SILJ) and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD). 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.
| SILJ | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.65 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.70 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.18 | +0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.19 | 0.98 | +1.22 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.65 | 2.81 | +2.84 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
SILJ vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SILJ drawdown since its inception was -79.04%, which is greater than GLD's maximum drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SILJ and GLD.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| SILJ | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -79.04% | -45.56% | -33.48% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -39.16% | -24.46% | -14.70% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -39.16% | -24.46% | -14.70% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -53.55% | -24.46% | -29.09% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -70.06% | -24.46% | -45.60% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -32.56% | -22.05% | -10.51% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -41.40% | -16.16% | -25.24% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 15.17% | 8.49% | +6.68% |
Volatility
SILJ vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison
Amplify Junior Silver Miners ETF (SILJ) has a higher volatility of 20.76% compared to SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) at 7.79%. This indicates that SILJ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| SILJ | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 20.76% | 7.79% | +12.97% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 47.36% | 24.10% | +23.26% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 56.54% | 27.37% | +29.17% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 44.76% | 18.22% | +26.54% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 46.41% | 16.08% | +30.33% |
SILJ vs. GLD - Expense Ratio Comparison
SILJ has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than GLD's 0.40% expense ratio.
Dividends
SILJ vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison
SILJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.04%, while GLD has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GLD SPDR Gold Shares | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
SILJ Amplify Junior Silver Miners ETF | 2.04% | 2.00% | 7.26% | 0.01% | 0.05% | 0.36% | 1.23% | 1.45% | 1.66% | 0.00% | 0.52% | 2.46% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SILJ and GLD have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SILJ has higher volatility (20.76%) compared to GLD (7.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SILJ dropped -79.04% vs GLD's -45.56%.
On 10-year performance, GLD leads with 12.15% vs 8.82% for SILJ. On fees, GLD is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, GLD has been the lower-risk option at 7.79%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, GLD has performed better with a 12.15% return vs 8.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GLD is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for SILJ.
SILJ has the higher dividend yield at 2.04%, compared with 0.00% for GLD.
SILJ is categorized as Silver, while GLD is Gold. SILJ tracks Nasdaq Junior Silver Miners Index, while GLD tracks LBMA Gold Price PM. They also come from different issuers: Amplify and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for SILJ and 0.40% for GLD.
SILJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.52 vs 0.87), 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 SILJ and GLD
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