TEK vs. SLV

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

TEK (iShares Technology Opportunities Active ETF) and SLV (iShares Silver Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - TEK is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by iShares, while SLV is a Silver fund tracking the LBMA Silver Price. TEK is actively managed, while SLV is passively managed. Over the past year, TEK returned 66.47% vs 80.04% for SLV. At a 0.29 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TEK charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SLV.

Performance

TEK vs. SLV - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TEK achieves a 44.09% return, which is significantly higher than SLV's -8.55% return.

TEK

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 9.52%
• YTD: 44.09%
• 6M: 43.89%
• 1Y: 66.47%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SLV

• 1D: -1.01%
• 1M: -13.82%
• YTD: -8.55%
• 6M: -5.70%
• 1Y: 80.04%
• 3Y*: 41.99%
• 5Y*: 19.74%
• 10Y*: 13.31%

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

TEK vs. SLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
TEK iShares Technology Opportunities Active ETF	44.09%	18.63%	2.63%
SLV iShares Silver Trust	-8.55%	144.66%	-14.65%

Correlation

The correlation between TEK and SLV is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 22, 2024	0.29

Return for Risk

TEK vs. SLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

TEK

TEK Risk / Return Rank: 68
TEK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
TEK Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
TEK Omega Ratio Rank: 68
TEK Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
TEK Martin Ratio Rank: 58

SLV

SLV Risk / Return Rank: 36
SLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
SLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
SLV Omega Ratio Rank: 44
SLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
SLV Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

TEK vs. SLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Technology Opportunities Active ETF (TEK) and iShares Silver Trust (SLV). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	TEK	SLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.33	1.34	+0.99
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.91	1.69	+1.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.28	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.46	1.77	+1.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.84	3.70	+6.14

TEK vs. SLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TEK Sharpe Ratio is 2.33, which is higher than the SLV Sharpe Ratio of 1.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TEK and SLV, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

TEK vs. SLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TEK drawdown since its inception was -28.24%, smaller than the maximum SLV drawdown of -76.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TEK and SLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	TEK	SLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.24%	-76.28%	+48.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.29%	-45.40%	+26.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-45.40%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-45.40%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.40%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-44.21%	+44.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.87%	-44.65%	+38.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.78%	21.70%	-14.92%

Volatility

TEK vs. SLV - Volatility Comparison

iShares Technology Opportunities Active ETF (TEK) has a higher volatility of 14.38% compared to iShares Silver Trust (SLV) at 13.67%. This indicates that TEK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TEK	SLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.38%	13.67%	+0.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.31%	59.03%	-34.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.69%	60.18%	-31.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.47%	36.51%	-6.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	30.47%	32.05%	-1.58%

TEK vs. SLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

TEK has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than SLV's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

TEK vs. SLV - Dividend Comparison

TEK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.10%, while SLV has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
SLV iShares Silver Trust	0.00%	0.00%
TEK iShares Technology Opportunities Active ETF	1.10%	1.62%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TEK and SLV in my portfolio?

TEK and SLV have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TEK or SLV?

TEK has higher volatility (14.38%) compared to SLV (13.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TEK dropped -28.24% vs SLV's -76.28%.

Which ETF is better, TEK or SLV?

On 1-year performance, SLV leads with 80.04% vs 66.47% for TEK. On fees, SLV is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, SLV has been the lower-risk option at 13.67%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TEK or SLV?

Over the 1-year period, SLV has performed better with a 80.04% return vs 66.47%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TEK or SLV?

SLV is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for TEK.

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

TEK has the higher dividend yield at 1.10%, compared with 0.00% for SLV.

What is the main difference between TEK and SLV?

TEK is categorized as Technology Equities, while SLV is Silver. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for TEK and 0.50% for SLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TEK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 1.34), 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.