SLV vs. GDX
Compare and contrast key facts about iShares Silver Trust (SLV) and VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX).
SLV and GDX are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. SLV is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the Silver Bullion. It was launched on Apr 28, 2006. GDX is a passively managed fund by VanEck that tracks the performance of the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index. It was launched on May 22, 2006. Both SLV and GDX are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: SLV or GDX.
Key characteristics
| SLV | GDX | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | 15.06% | 10.71% |
| 1Y Return | 9.77% | 4.69% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | 1.09% | 0.12% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | 12.37% | 11.42% |
| 10Y Return (Ann) | 2.97% | 4.63% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 0.36 | 0.11 |
| Daily Std Dev | 24.85% | 30.40% |
| Max Drawdown | -76.28% | -80.57% |
| Current Drawdown | -46.60% | -42.11% |
Correlation
The correlation between SLV and GDX is 0.73, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Performance
SLV vs. GDX - Performance Comparison
In the year-to-date period, SLV achieves a 15.06% return, which is significantly higher than GDX's 10.71% return. Over the past 10 years, SLV has underperformed GDX with an annualized return of 2.97%, while GDX has yielded a comparatively higher 4.63% annualized return. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
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SLV vs. GDX - Expense Ratio Comparison
SLV has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than GDX's 0.53% expense ratio.
Risk-Adjusted Performance
SLV vs. GDX - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Silver Trust (SLV) and VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX). 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.
Dividends
SLV vs. GDX - Dividend Comparison
SLV has not paid dividends to shareholders, while GDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.46%.
| TTM | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SLV iShares Silver Trust | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
GDX VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF | 1.46% | 1.61% | 1.66% | 1.67% | 0.53% | 0.65% | 0.50% | 0.76% | 0.26% | 0.85% | 0.66% | 0.90% |
Drawdowns
SLV vs. GDX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SLV drawdown since its inception was -76.28%, smaller than the maximum GDX drawdown of -80.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SLV and GDX. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
SLV vs. GDX - Volatility Comparison
iShares Silver Trust (SLV) and VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX) have volatilities of 9.48% and 9.48%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.