VHT vs. SLV
VHT (Vanguard Health Care ETF) and SLV (iShares Silver Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - VHT is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Health Care 25/50 Index, while SLV is a Silver fund tracking the LBMA Silver Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VHT returned 9.87%/yr vs 13.99%/yr for SLV. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VHT charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SLV.
Performance
VHT vs. SLV - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VHT achieves a -0.11% return, which is significantly higher than SLV's -4.86% return. Over the past 10 years, VHT has underperformed SLV with an annualized return of 9.87%, while SLV has yielded a comparatively higher 13.99% annualized return.
VHT
- 1D
- -0.12%
- 1M
- 4.51%
- YTD
- -0.11%
- 6M
- 0.45%
- 1Y
- 16.49%
- 3Y*
- 7.19%
- 5Y*
- 4.78%
- 10Y*
- 9.87%
SLV
- 1D
- 0.77%
- 1M
- -18.83%
- YTD
- -4.86%
- 6M
- 9.25%
- 1Y
- 85.90%
- 3Y*
- 41.27%
- 5Y*
- 18.83%
- 10Y*
- 13.99%
VHT vs. SLV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF | -0.11% | 15.46% | 2.66% | 2.52% | -5.60% | 20.57% | 18.29% | 21.87% | 5.58% | 23.26% |
SLV iShares Silver Trust | -4.86% | 144.66% | 20.89% | -1.09% | 2.37% | -12.45% | 47.30% | 14.88% | -9.19% | 5.82% |
Correlation
The correlation between VHT and SLV is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.14 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.16 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.14 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 28, 2006 | 0.14 |
VHT vs. SLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
VHT
SLV
Healthcare
-
Financial Services
-
Industrials
-
Technology
-
Basic Materials
-
Communication Services
-
-
Consumer Cyclical
-
-
Consumer Defensive
-
-
Energy
-
-
Real Estate
-
-
Utilities
-
-
Healthcare
VHT
SLV
-
Financial Services
VHT
SLV
-
Industrials
VHT
SLV
-
Technology
VHT
SLV
-
Basic Materials
VHT
-
SLV
Communication Services
VHT
-
SLV
-
Consumer Cyclical
VHT
-
SLV
-
Consumer Defensive
VHT
-
SLV
-
Energy
VHT
-
SLV
-
Real Estate
VHT
-
SLV
-
Utilities
VHT
-
SLV
-
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
VHT vs. SLV — Risk / Return Rank
VHT
SLV
VHT vs. SLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) 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.
| VHT | SLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.35 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.05 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.19 | 1.29 | -0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.53 | 1.89 | -0.36 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.81 | 4.10 | -0.30 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
VHT vs. SLV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VHT drawdown since its inception was -39.12%, smaller than the maximum SLV drawdown of -76.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VHT and SLV.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| VHT | SLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -39.12% | -76.28% | +37.16% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.40% | -45.40% | +35.00% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.91% | -45.40% | +28.49% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.71% | -45.40% | +27.69% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -28.85% | -45.40% | +16.55% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.28% | -41.96% | +38.68% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.99% | -44.66% | +38.67% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.19% | 20.88% | -16.69% |
Volatility
VHT vs. SLV - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) is 4.88%, while iShares Silver Trust (SLV) has a volatility of 16.34%. This indicates that VHT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| VHT | SLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.88% | 16.34% | -11.46% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.46% | 59.10% | -48.64% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.70% | 59.82% | -45.12% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.01% | 36.46% | -21.45% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.97% | 32.00% | -15.03% |
VHT vs. SLV - Expense Ratio Comparison
VHT has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than SLV's 0.50% expense ratio.
Dividends
VHT vs. SLV - Dividend Comparison
VHT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.64%, while SLV has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| 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% |
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF | 1.64% | 1.61% | 1.53% | 1.36% | 1.33% | 1.14% | 1.21% | 1.89% | 1.38% | 1.31% | 1.45% | 1.22% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VHT and SLV have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SLV has higher volatility (16.34%) compared to VHT (4.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VHT dropped -39.12% vs SLV's -76.28%.
On 10-year performance, SLV leads with 13.99% vs 9.87% for VHT. On fees, VHT is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VHT has been the lower-risk option at 4.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, SLV has performed better with a 13.99% return vs 9.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VHT is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for SLV.
VHT has the higher dividend yield at 1.64%, compared with 0.00% for SLV.
VHT is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while SLV is Silver. VHT tracks MSCI US Investable Market Health Care 25/50 Index, while SLV tracks LBMA Silver Price. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VHT and 0.50% for SLV.
SLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.44 vs 1.09), 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.
Find the right allocation for VHT and SLV
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer