SLVR vs. GDX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SLVR (Sprott Silver Miners & Physical Silver ETF) and GDX (VanEck Gold Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SLVR is a Silver fund tracking the Nasdaq Sprott Silver Miners™ Index, while GDX is a Gold fund tracking the NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, SLVR returned 118.11% vs 61.27% for GDX. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SLVR charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.51%/yr for GDX.

Performance

SLVR vs. GDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sprott Silver Miners & Physical Silver ETF (SLVR) and VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SLVR achieves a 6.80% return, which is significantly higher than GDX's -0.90% return.

SLVR

• 1D: -5.47%
• 1M: 1.96%
• YTD: 6.80%
• 6M: 18.93%
• 1Y: 118.11%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GDX

• 1D: -3.46%
• 1M: -0.76%
• YTD: -0.90%
• 6M: 5.62%
• 1Y: 61.27%
• 3Y*: 41.00%
• 5Y*: 18.69%
• 10Y*: 13.98%

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

SLVR vs. GDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SLVR Sprott Silver Miners & Physical Silver ETF	6.80%	170.44%
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF	-0.90%	135.28%

Correlation

The correlation between SLVR and GDX is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 16, 2025	0.85

The correlation between SLVR and GDX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SLVR vs. GDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SLVR

SLVR Risk / Return Rank: 51
SLVR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
SLVR Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
SLVR Omega Ratio Rank: 48
SLVR Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SLVR Martin Ratio Rank: 46

GDX

GDX Risk / Return Rank: 35
GDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
GDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
GDX Omega Ratio Rank: 36
GDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
GDX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

SLVR vs. GDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Silver Miners & Physical Silver ETF (SLVR) and VanEck 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.

	SLVR	GDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.93	1.35	+0.57
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.25	1.76	+0.48
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.25	+0.06
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.08	2.00	+1.08
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.66	5.13	+2.54
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SLVR vs. GDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SLVR Sharpe Ratio is 1.93, which is higher than the GDX Sharpe Ratio of 1.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SLVR and GDX, 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

	SLVR	GDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.93	1.35	+0.57
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.52	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.38	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.02	0.13	+1.89

Drawdowns

SLVR vs. GDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SLVR drawdown since its inception was -38.60%, smaller than the maximum GDX drawdown of -80.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SLVR and GDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SLVR	GDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.60%	-80.34%	+41.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-38.60%	-30.84%	-7.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-30.84%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-46.51%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-49.79%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-28.51%	-26.62%	-1.89%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.24%	-40.43%	+31.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	15.47%	11.99%	+3.48%

Volatility

SLVR vs. GDX - Volatility Comparison

Sprott Silver Miners & Physical Silver ETF (SLVR) has a higher volatility of 19.31% compared to VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) at 15.40%. This indicates that SLVR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SLVR	GDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	19.31%	15.40%	+3.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	51.02%	37.50%	+13.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	61.64%	45.49%	+16.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	57.85%	36.39%	+21.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	57.85%	37.18%	+20.67%

SLVR vs. GDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SLVR has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than GDX's 0.51% expense ratio.

Dividends

SLVR vs. GDX - Dividend Comparison

SLVR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.45%, more than GDX's 0.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF	0.74%	0.74%	1.19%	1.61%	1.66%	1.67%	0.53%	0.67%	0.50%	0.76%	0.26%	0.85%
SLVR Sprott Silver Miners & Physical Silver ETF	3.45%	3.68%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SLVR and GDX in my portfolio?

SLVR and GDX have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SLVR or GDX?

SLVR has higher volatility (19.31%) compared to GDX (15.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SLVR dropped -38.60% vs GDX's -80.34%.

Which ETF is better, SLVR or GDX?

On 1-year performance, SLVR leads with 118.11% vs 61.27% for GDX. On fees, GDX is cheaper at 0.51% per year. On volatility, GDX has been the lower-risk option at 15.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SLVR or GDX?

Over the 1-year period, SLVR has performed better with a 118.11% return vs 61.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SLVR or GDX?

GDX is cheaper with a 0.51% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for SLVR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SLVR or GDX?

SLVR has the higher dividend yield at 3.45%, compared with 0.74% for GDX.

What is the main difference between SLVR and GDX?

SLVR is categorized as Silver, while GDX is Gold. SLVR tracks Nasdaq Sprott Silver Miners™ Index, while GDX tracks NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index. They also come from different issuers: Sprott and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for SLVR and 0.51% for GDX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SLVR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.93 vs 1.35), 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.