XTL vs. SLV
XTL (SPDR S&P Telecom ETF) and SLV (iShares Silver Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - XTL is a Communications Equities fund tracking the S&P Telecom Select Industry Index, while SLV is a Silver fund tracking the LBMA Silver Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XTL returned 16.10%/yr vs 14.35%/yr for SLV. At a 0.16 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XTL charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SLV.
Performance
XTL vs. SLV - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, XTL achieves a 51.46% return, which is significantly higher than SLV's -1.47% return. Over the past 10 years, XTL has outperformed SLV with an annualized return of 16.10%, while SLV has yielded a comparatively lower 14.35% annualized return.
XTL
- 1D
- 0.12%
- 1M
- 2.37%
- YTD
- 51.46%
- 6M
- 55.42%
- 1Y
- 120.69%
- 3Y*
- 45.66%
- 5Y*
- 19.06%
- 10Y*
- 16.10%
SLV
- 1D
- 3.56%
- 1M
- -8.07%
- YTD
- -1.47%
- 6M
- 9.22%
- 1Y
- 92.51%
- 3Y*
- 41.97%
- 5Y*
- 20.23%
- 10Y*
- 14.35%
XTL vs. SLV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XTL SPDR S&P Telecom ETF | 51.46% | 44.95% | 34.89% | -1.17% | -19.18% | 21.58% | 22.46% | 12.51% | -6.60% | 0.56% |
SLV iShares Silver Trust | -1.47% | 144.66% | 20.89% | -1.09% | 2.37% | -12.45% | 47.30% | 14.88% | -9.19% | 5.82% |
Correlation
The correlation between XTL and SLV is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.23 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.23 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.19 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 27, 2011 | 0.16 |
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Return for Risk
XTL vs. SLV — Risk / Return Rank
XTL
SLV
XTL vs. SLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Telecom ETF (XTL) 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.
| XTL | SLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.49 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.55 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.58 | 1.30 | +0.28 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 8.26 | 2.05 | +6.21 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 34.62 | 4.41 | +30.21 |
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Drawdowns
XTL vs. SLV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum XTL drawdown since its inception was -37.01%, smaller than the maximum SLV drawdown of -76.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XTL and SLV.
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Drawdown Indicators
| XTL | SLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -37.01% | -76.28% | +39.27% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.70% | -45.40% | +30.70% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -22.79% | -45.40% | +22.61% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -37.01% | -45.40% | +8.39% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -37.01% | -45.40% | +8.39% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.61% | -39.90% | +33.29% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.76% | -44.66% | +34.90% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.50% | 21.03% | -17.53% |
Volatility
XTL vs. SLV - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for SPDR S&P Telecom ETF (XTL) is 11.24%, while iShares Silver Trust (SLV) has a volatility of 16.50%. This indicates that XTL 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.
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Volatility by Period
| XTL | SLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 11.24% | 16.50% | -5.26% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 24.21% | 59.14% | -34.93% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 30.10% | 60.02% | -29.92% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 25.35% | 36.51% | -11.16% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.67% | 32.02% | -8.35% |
XTL vs. SLV - Expense Ratio Comparison
XTL has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than SLV's 0.50% expense ratio.
Dividends
XTL vs. SLV - Dividend Comparison
XTL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.86%, 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% |
XTL SPDR S&P Telecom ETF | 0.86% | 1.05% | 0.62% | 0.80% | 0.74% | 1.25% | 0.88% | 0.92% | 1.90% | 2.08% | 1.11% | 1.38% |
Frequently Asked Questions
XTL and SLV have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SLV has higher volatility (16.50%) compared to XTL (11.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XTL dropped -37.01% vs SLV's -76.28%.
On 10-year performance, XTL leads with 16.10% vs 14.35% for SLV. On fees, XTL is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, XTL has been the lower-risk option at 11.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, XTL has performed better with a 16.10% return vs 14.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
XTL is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for SLV.
XTL has the higher dividend yield at 0.86%, compared with 0.00% for SLV.
XTL is categorized as Communications Equities, while SLV is Silver. XTL tracks S&P Telecom Select Industry Index, while SLV tracks LBMA Silver Price. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XTL and 0.50% for SLV.
XTL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.04 vs 1.55), 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.
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