ZSL vs. SLVP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ZSL (ProShares UltraShort Silver) and SLVP (iShares MSCI Global Silver and Metals Miners ETF) are both Silver funds - ZSL tracks the Bloomberg Silver Subindex (-2x) while SLVP tracks the MSCI ACWI Select Silver Miners Investable Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ZSL returned -43.74%/yr vs 13.67%/yr for SLVP. At a correlation of -0.73, they often move in opposite directions. ZSL charges 1.32%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for SLVP.

Performance

ZSL vs. SLVP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares UltraShort Silver (ZSL) and iShares MSCI Global Silver and Metals Miners ETF (SLVP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZSL achieves a -59.81% return, which is significantly lower than SLVP's 2.25% return. Over the past 10 years, ZSL has underperformed SLVP with an annualized return of -43.74%, while SLVP has yielded a comparatively higher 13.67% annualized return.

ZSL

• 1D: 5.33%
• 1M: -6.86%
• YTD: -59.81%
• 6M: -75.78%
• 1Y: -92.31%
• 3Y*: -69.67%
• 5Y*: -51.93%
• 10Y*: -43.74%

SLVP

• 1D: -5.14%
• 1M: 1.42%
• YTD: 2.25%
• 6M: 13.09%
• 1Y: 112.07%
• 3Y*: 52.07%
• 5Y*: 15.97%
• 10Y*: 13.67%

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

ZSL vs. SLVP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ZSL ProShares UltraShort Silver	-59.81%	-87.29%	-42.43%	-5.49%	-28.09%	-2.04%	-74.44%	-27.76%	18.15%	-18.99%
SLVP iShares MSCI Global Silver and Metals Miners ETF	2.25%	202.84%	14.47%	-2.31%	-18.06%	-23.53%	56.45%	37.71%	-22.10%	4.53%

Correlation

The correlation between ZSL and SLVP is -0.81, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 3, 2012	-0.73

The correlation between ZSL and SLVP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.81 to -0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ZSL vs. SLVP — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZSL

ZSL Risk / Return Rank: 1
ZSL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
ZSL Sortino Ratio Rank: 0
ZSL Omega Ratio Rank: 0
ZSL Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
ZSL Martin Ratio Rank: 2

SLVP

SLVP Risk / Return Rank: 55
SLVP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
SLVP Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
SLVP Omega Ratio Rank: 51
SLVP Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
SLVP Martin Ratio Rank: 50

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.

ZSL vs. SLVP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraShort Silver (ZSL) and iShares MSCI Global Silver and Metals Miners ETF (SLVP). 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.

	ZSL	SLVP	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.77	2.12	-2.90
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-2.38	2.40	-4.79
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.74	1.33	-0.58
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.98	3.36	-4.33
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.35	8.53	-9.88
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ZSL vs. SLVP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZSL Sharpe Ratio is -0.77, which is lower than the SLVP Sharpe Ratio of 2.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZSL and SLVP, 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

	ZSL	SLVP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.77	2.12	-2.90
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.70	0.38	-1.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.67	0.32	-1.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.67	0.09	-0.76

Drawdowns

ZSL vs. SLVP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZSL drawdown since its inception was -100.00%, which is greater than SLVP's maximum drawdown of -80.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZSL and SLVP.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZSL	SLVP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-100.00%	-80.47%	-19.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-94.55%	-33.57%	-60.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-98.40%	-33.57%	-64.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-99.06%	-54.78%	-44.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-99.82%	-62.03%	-37.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-100.00%	-26.25%	-73.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-96.39%	-46.82%	-49.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	68.23%	13.18%	+55.05%

Volatility

ZSL vs. SLVP - Volatility Comparison

ProShares UltraShort Silver (ZSL) has a higher volatility of 32.31% compared to iShares MSCI Global Silver and Metals Miners ETF (SLVP) at 17.59%. This indicates that ZSL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SLVP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZSL	SLVP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	32.31%	17.59%	+14.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	105.86%	43.22%	+62.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	119.48%	53.06%	+66.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	74.07%	42.76%	+31.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	65.20%	42.24%	+22.96%

ZSL vs. SLVP - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZSL has a 1.32% expense ratio, which is higher than SLVP's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZSL vs. SLVP - Dividend Comparison

ZSL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SLVP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.74%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SLVP iShares MSCI Global Silver and Metals Miners ETF	1.74%	1.78%	1.05%	0.88%	0.63%	1.63%	2.39%	2.03%	1.28%	0.85%	2.32%	0.72%
ZSL ProShares UltraShort Silver	0.00%	0.00%	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 ZSL and SLVP in my portfolio?

ZSL and SLVP have a correlation of -0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ZSL or SLVP?

ZSL has higher volatility (32.31%) compared to SLVP (17.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZSL dropped -100.00% vs SLVP's -80.47%.

Which ETF is better, ZSL or SLVP?

On 10-year performance, SLVP leads with 13.67% vs -43.74% for ZSL. On fees, SLVP is cheaper at 0.39% per year. On volatility, SLVP has been the lower-risk option at 17.59%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ZSL or SLVP?

Over the 10-year period, SLVP has performed better with a 13.67% return vs -43.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZSL or SLVP?

SLVP is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 1.32% for ZSL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ZSL or SLVP?

SLVP has the higher dividend yield at 1.74%, compared with 0.00% for ZSL.

What is the main difference between ZSL and SLVP?

ZSL tracks Bloomberg Silver Subindex (-2x), while SLVP tracks MSCI ACWI Select Silver Miners Investable Market Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and iShares. Their fees differ too: 1.32% for ZSL and 0.39% for SLVP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SLVP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs -0.77), 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.