SIVR vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SIVR (abrdn Physical Silver Shares ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - SIVR is a Silver fund tracking the LBMA Silver Price ($/ozt), while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SIVR returned 16.08%/yr vs 13.42%/yr for IAU. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SIVR charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

SIVR vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in abrdn Physical Silver Shares ETF (SIVR) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SIVR achieves a 5.62% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 4.00% return. Over the past 10 years, SIVR has outperformed IAU with an annualized return of 16.08%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively lower 13.42% annualized return.

SIVR

• 1D: 0.48%
• 1M: -0.39%
• YTD: 5.62%
• 6M: 28.07%
• 1Y: 115.70%
• 3Y*: 46.67%
• 5Y*: 21.96%
• 10Y*: 16.08%

IAU

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: -2.65%
• YTD: 4.00%
• 6M: 6.47%
• 1Y: 32.38%
• 3Y*: 31.72%
• 5Y*: 18.82%
• 10Y*: 13.42%

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

SIVR vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SIVR abrdn Physical Silver Shares ETF	5.62%	145.34%	21.08%	-0.91%	2.59%	-12.33%	47.52%	15.17%	-8.96%	5.97%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	4.00%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	25.03%	17.98%	-1.76%	12.91%

Correlation

The correlation between SIVR and IAU 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	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 27, 2009	0.78

The correlation between SIVR and IAU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SIVR vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

SIVR

SIVR Risk / Return Rank: 52
SIVR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
SIVR Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
SIVR Omega Ratio Rank: 59
SIVR Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
SIVR Martin Ratio Rank: 41

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 34
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 37
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

SIVR vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for abrdn Physical Silver Shares ETF (SIVR) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). 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.

	SIVR	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	1.23	+0.75
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.12	1.63	+0.50
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.25	+0.12
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	1.87	+1.13
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.52	4.69	+1.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SIVR vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SIVR Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SIVR and IAU, 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

	SIVR	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.98	1.23	+0.75
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61	1.05	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	0.85	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.63	-0.30

Drawdowns

SIVR vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SIVR drawdown since its inception was -75.85%, which is greater than IAU's maximum drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SIVR and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	SIVR	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-75.85%	-45.14%	-30.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-42.42%	-19.18%	-23.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-42.42%	-19.18%	-23.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.42%	-20.93%	-21.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.42%	-21.82%	-20.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-35.56%	-16.88%	-18.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-47.86%	-15.96%	-31.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	19.50%	7.63%	+11.87%

Volatility

SIVR vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

abrdn Physical Silver Shares ETF (SIVR) has a higher volatility of 16.44% compared to iShares Gold Trust (IAU) at 5.78%. This indicates that SIVR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SIVR	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.44%	5.78%	+10.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	58.28%	23.00%	+35.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	58.97%	26.51%	+32.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.17%	17.96%	+18.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.86%	15.90%	+15.96%

SIVR vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

SIVR has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

SIVR vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

Neither SIVR nor IAU has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SIVR and IAU in my portfolio?

SIVR and IAU 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.

Which is riskier, SIVR or IAU?

SIVR has higher volatility (16.44%) compared to IAU (5.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SIVR dropped -75.85% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, SIVR or IAU?

On 10-year performance, SIVR leads with 16.08% vs 13.42% for IAU. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, IAU has been the lower-risk option at 5.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SIVR or IAU?

Over the 10-year period, SIVR has performed better with a 16.08% return vs 13.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SIVR or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for SIVR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SIVR or IAU?

SIVR and IAU have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between SIVR and IAU?

SIVR is categorized as Silver, while IAU is Gold. SIVR tracks LBMA Silver Price ($/ozt), while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. They also come from different issuers: abrdn and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for SIVR and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SIVR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 1.23), 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.