SLV vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SLV (iShares Silver Trust) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - SLV is a Silver fund tracking the LBMA Silver Price, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SLV returned 15.55%/yr vs 13.31%/yr for IAU. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SLV charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

SLV vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Silver Trust (SLV) 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, SLV achieves a 2.78% return, which is significantly lower than IAU's 2.98% return. Over the past 10 years, SLV has outperformed IAU with an annualized return of 15.55%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively lower 13.31% annualized return.

SLV

• 1D: -2.62%
• 1M: 0.41%
• YTD: 2.78%
• 6M: 24.76%
• 1Y: 110.59%
• 3Y*: 45.06%
• 5Y*: 20.76%
• 10Y*: 15.55%

IAU

• 1D: -0.98%
• 1M: -1.62%
• YTD: 2.98%
• 6M: 5.50%
• 1Y: 32.20%
• 3Y*: 31.29%
• 5Y*: 18.32%
• 10Y*: 13.31%

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

SLV vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SLV iShares Silver Trust	2.78%	144.66%	20.89%	-1.09%	2.37%	-12.45%	47.30%	14.88%	-9.19%	5.82%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	2.98%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	25.03%	17.98%	-1.76%	12.91%

Correlation

The correlation between SLV 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	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 1, 2006	0.79

The correlation between SLV and IAU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

SLV vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SLV	IAU
Basic Materials	100.0%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	100.0%
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

SLV vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

SLV

SLV Risk / Return Rank: 47
SLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
SLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
SLV Omega Ratio Rank: 56
SLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
SLV Martin Ratio Rank: 36

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 32
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 36
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

SLV vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Silver Trust (SLV) 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.

	SLV	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.89	1.23	+0.66
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.07	1.62	+0.45
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.24	+0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.62	1.69	+0.93
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.64	4.19	+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.

SLV vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SLV Sharpe Ratio is 1.89, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SLV 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

	SLV	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.89	1.23	+0.66
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	1.03	-0.45
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	0.84	-0.35
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	0.62	-0.38

Drawdowns

SLV vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SLV drawdown since its inception was -76.28%, which is greater than IAU's maximum drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SLV and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	SLV	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.28%	-45.14%	-31.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-42.45%	-19.18%	-23.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-42.45%	-19.18%	-23.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.45%	-20.93%	-21.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.81%	-21.82%	-20.99%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-37.30%	-17.70%	-19.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-44.67%	-15.96%	-28.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	19.67%	7.71%	+11.96%

Volatility

SLV vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

iShares Silver Trust (SLV) has a higher volatility of 16.30% compared to iShares Gold Trust (IAU) at 5.50%. This indicates that SLV'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

	SLV	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.30%	5.50%	+10.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	58.31%	23.02%	+35.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	58.90%	26.42%	+32.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.15%	17.95%	+18.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.84%	15.90%	+15.94%

SLV vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

SLV has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

SLV vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

Neither SLV nor IAU has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SLV and IAU in my portfolio?

SLV 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, SLV or IAU?

SLV has higher volatility (16.30%) compared to IAU (5.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SLV dropped -76.28% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, SLV or IAU?

On 10-year performance, SLV leads with 15.55% vs 13.31% for IAU. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, IAU has been the lower-risk option at 5.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SLV or IAU?

Over the 10-year period, SLV has performed better with a 15.55% return vs 13.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SLV or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for SLV.

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

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

What is the main difference between SLV and IAU?

SLV is categorized as Silver, while IAU is Gold. SLV tracks LBMA Silver Price, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for SLV and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 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.