SILJ vs. XLB

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

SILJ (Amplify Junior Silver Miners ETF) and XLB (Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SILJ is a Silver fund tracking the Nasdaq Junior Silver Miners Index, while XLB is a Materials fund tracking the Materials Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SILJ returned 8.17%/yr vs 9.85%/yr for XLB. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SILJ charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for XLB.

Performance

SILJ vs. XLB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Amplify Junior Silver Miners ETF (SILJ) and Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SILJ achieves a -4.81% return, which is significantly lower than XLB's 10.66% return. Over the past 10 years, SILJ has underperformed XLB with an annualized return of 8.17%, while XLB has yielded a comparatively higher 9.85% annualized return.

SILJ

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: -17.04%
• YTD: -4.81%
• 6M: 7.21%
• 1Y: 79.14%
• 3Y*: 43.26%
• 5Y*: 11.05%
• 10Y*: 8.17%

XLB

• 1D: -1.32%
• 1M: -3.16%
• YTD: 10.66%
• 6M: 16.01%
• 1Y: 16.06%
• 3Y*: 10.29%
• 5Y*: 5.04%
• 10Y*: 9.85%

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

SILJ vs. XLB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SILJ Amplify Junior Silver Miners ETF	-4.81%	183.89%	6.39%	-5.21%	-15.42%	-23.21%	33.00%	57.06%	-27.95%	-5.65%
XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF	10.66%	9.94%	0.15%	12.46%	-12.30%	27.44%	20.46%	24.13%	-14.88%	24.01%

Correlation

The correlation between SILJ and XLB is 0.50, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.46
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 29, 2012	0.34

The correlation between SILJ and XLB shifts across timeframes, from 0.34 (all time) to 0.50 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SILJ vs. XLB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SILJ	XLB
Basic Materials	99.8%	87.6%
Financial Services	0.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.2%	-
Communication Services	0.0%	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	12.4%
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	1.5%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

SILJ vs. XLB — Risk / Return Rank

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

SILJ

SILJ Risk / Return Rank: 43
SILJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
SILJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
SILJ Omega Ratio Rank: 44
SILJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
SILJ Martin Ratio Rank: 38

XLB

XLB Risk / Return Rank: 29
XLB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
XLB Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
XLB Omega Ratio Rank: 27
XLB Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
XLB Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

SILJ vs. XLB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Amplify Junior Silver Miners ETF (SILJ) and Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB). 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.

	SILJ	XLB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.43	0.95	+0.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.86	1.43	+0.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.17	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.29	1.30	+0.99
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.48	4.02	+1.46
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SILJ vs. XLB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SILJ Sharpe Ratio is 1.43, which is higher than the XLB Sharpe Ratio of 0.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SILJ and XLB, 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

	SILJ	XLB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.43	0.95	+0.47
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25	0.27	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.18	0.48	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.07	0.35	-0.29

Drawdowns

SILJ vs. XLB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SILJ drawdown since its inception was -79.04%, which is greater than XLB's maximum drawdown of -59.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SILJ and XLB.

Drawdown Indicators

	SILJ	XLB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-79.04%	-59.83%	-19.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-34.71%	-12.38%	-22.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-34.71%	-23.17%	-11.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-55.47%	-24.72%	-30.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-70.06%	-37.27%	-32.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-34.64%	-6.41%	-28.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-41.42%	-10.84%	-30.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	14.49%	4.00%	+10.49%

Volatility

SILJ vs. XLB - Volatility Comparison

Amplify Junior Silver Miners ETF (SILJ) has a higher volatility of 20.06% compared to Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB) at 5.32%. This indicates that SILJ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SILJ	XLB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	20.06%	5.32%	+14.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	46.73%	13.02%	+33.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	55.89%	16.95%	+38.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	44.60%	18.96%	+25.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	46.33%	20.66%	+25.67%

SILJ vs. XLB - Expense Ratio Comparison

SILJ has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than XLB's 0.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

SILJ vs. XLB - Dividend Comparison

SILJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.10%, more than XLB's 1.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SILJ Amplify Junior Silver Miners ETF	2.10%	2.00%	7.26%	0.01%	0.05%	0.36%	1.23%	1.45%	1.66%	0.00%	0.52%	2.46%
XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.75%	1.92%	1.92%	2.00%	2.26%	1.62%	1.72%	1.98%	2.20%	1.66%	1.95%	2.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SILJ and XLB in my portfolio?

SILJ and XLB have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SILJ or XLB?

SILJ has higher volatility (20.06%) compared to XLB (5.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SILJ dropped -79.04% vs XLB's -59.83%.

Which ETF is better, SILJ or XLB?

On 10-year performance, XLB leads with 9.85% vs 8.17% for SILJ. On fees, XLB is cheaper at 0.13% per year. On volatility, XLB has been the lower-risk option at 5.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SILJ or XLB?

Over the 10-year period, XLB has performed better with a 9.85% return vs 8.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SILJ or XLB?

XLB is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for SILJ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SILJ or XLB?

SILJ has the higher dividend yield at 2.10%, compared with 1.75% for XLB.

What is the main difference between SILJ and XLB?

SILJ is categorized as Silver, while XLB is Materials. SILJ tracks Nasdaq Junior Silver Miners Index, while XLB tracks Materials Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: Amplify and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for SILJ and 0.13% for XLB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SILJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.43 vs 0.95), 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.