SLV vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

SLV (iShares Silver Trust) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SLV is a Silver fund tracking the LBMA Silver Price, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SLV returned 14.08%/yr vs 36.92%/yr for SMH. At a 0.16 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SLV charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

SLV vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Silver Trust (SLV) and VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SLV achieves a -4.41% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 66.10% return. Over the past 10 years, SLV has underperformed SMH with an annualized return of 14.08%, while SMH has yielded a comparatively higher 36.92% annualized return.

SLV

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: -15.66%
• YTD: -4.41%
• 6M: 16.83%
• 1Y: 88.38%
• 3Y*: 40.36%
• 5Y*: 19.02%
• 10Y*: 14.08%

SMH

• 1D: 5.00%
• 1M: 5.58%
• YTD: 66.10%
• 6M: 62.81%
• 1Y: 137.42%
• 3Y*: 60.43%
• 5Y*: 37.89%
• 10Y*: 36.92%

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

SLV vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SLV iShares Silver Trust	-4.41%	144.66%	20.89%	-1.09%	2.37%	-12.45%	47.30%	14.88%	-9.19%	5.82%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	66.10%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	55.53%	64.45%	-9.05%	38.48%

Correlation

The correlation between SLV and SMH is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.24
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.18
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 1, 2006	0.16

The correlation between SLV and SMH shifts across timeframes, from 0.16 (all time) to 0.29 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SLV vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

SLV vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

SLV

SLV Risk / Return Rank: 43
SLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
SLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
SLV Omega Ratio Rank: 54
SLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
SLV Martin Ratio Rank: 32

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 96
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 94
SMH Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
SMH Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Silver Trust (SLV) and VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH). 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	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	4.27	-2.78
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.80	4.33	-2.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.62	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.09	9.26	-7.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.40	34.80	-30.40
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. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SLV Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 4.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SLV and SMH, 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	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.50	4.27	-2.78
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53	1.08	-0.55
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44	1.13	-0.69
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.23	0.33	-0.10

Drawdowns

SLV vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SLV drawdown since its inception was -76.28%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SLV and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	SLV	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.28%	-84.96%	+8.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-42.45%	-14.93%	-27.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-42.45%	-35.74%	-6.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.45%	-45.30%	+2.85%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.81%	-45.30%	+2.49%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-41.69%	-6.23%	-35.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-44.67%	-41.07%	-3.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	20.15%	3.96%	+16.19%

Volatility

SLV vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

iShares Silver Trust (SLV) has a higher volatility of 16.89% compared to VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) at 15.45%. This indicates that SLV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SLV	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.89%	15.45%	+1.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	58.88%	26.71%	+32.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	59.53%	32.42%	+27.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.33%	35.32%	+1.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.92%	32.75%	-0.83%

SLV vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

SLV has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

SLV vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

SLV has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SMH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.18%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	0.18%	0.31%	0.44%	0.60%	1.18%	0.51%	0.69%	1.50%	1.88%	1.43%	0.80%	2.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SLV and SMH in my portfolio?

SLV and SMH have a correlation of 0.29, 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 SMH?

SLV has higher volatility (16.89%) compared to SMH (15.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SLV dropped -76.28% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, SLV or SMH?

On 10-year performance, SMH leads with 36.92% vs 14.08% for SLV. On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, SMH has been the lower-risk option at 15.45%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SLV or SMH?

Over the 10-year period, SMH has performed better with a 36.92% return vs 14.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SLV or SMH?

SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for SLV.

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

SMH has the higher dividend yield at 0.18%, compared with 0.00% for SLV.

What is the main difference between SLV and SMH?

SLV is categorized as Silver, while SMH is Semiconductors. SLV tracks LBMA Silver Price, while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for SLV and 0.35% for SMH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.27 vs 1.50), 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.