Dividend comparison

SLV vs SIVR: Which Is Better?

Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for iShares Silver Trust and abrdn Physical Silver Shares ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.

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SLV vs SIVR: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
  • Fees. SIVR is cheaper at 0.30% a year versus 0.50% for SLV. On $10,000 that is $20 a year less in fees.
  • Performance. Over the last 5 years, SIVR returned 133.6% versus 131.3% for SLV, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $23,362 in SIVR and $23,134 in SLV.
  • Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -52.4% for SLV and -52.4% for SIVR from peak to trough.
  • Size. SLV is the larger fund with $28.5 billion in assets, against $3.9 billion for SIVR.

Bottom line: SIVR has the edge on these figures, with lower fees and stronger 5-year returns. SLV does not lead on any of the measures compared here.

Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
MetricSLV
iShares Silver Trust
SIVR
abrdn Physical Silver Shares ETF
Price$52.12$54.83
Beta1.261.26
Max drawdown (5Y)-52.4%-52.4%
Market cap$28.39B$4.99B
ExchangeAMEXAMEX
Expense ratio0.50%0.30%
Assets under management$28.46B$3.90B
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.

SLV

—/mo

Yield data unavailable

SIVR

—/mo

Yield data unavailable

Strategy: Precious metals
Funds that hold physical gold or silver in vaults, or the companies that mine it. Physical-metal funds that hold the same bullion differ mainly in fee, share price and trading liquidity, while miner funds behave like leveraged equity bets on the metal price. None of them pay a dividend from the metal itself.

Metal prices can fall for years with no income to cushion the decline, and gains in physical-metal funds can be taxed at the higher collectibles rate in the US.

Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $23,134 in SLV and $23,362 in SIVR.
PeriodSLVSIVR
1 month-13.03%-12.98%
3 months2.24%2.74%
Year to date-19.09%-18.94%
1 year9.22%9.77%
3 years143.55%145.21%
5 years131.34%133.62%
  • SLV
  • SIVR
53219385202120222023202420252026231234

Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Sector allocation
Weight of each sector within the fund. Sectors are aligned on the same row so the two funds can be read against each other directly.
  • SLV
  • SIVR
0%25%50%75%100%Basic Materials100.0%Cash & Others100.0%

Quick verdict

SIVR has the edge on these figures, with lower fees and stronger 5-year returns. SLV does not lead on any of the measures compared here. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.

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Frequently asked questions

Is SLV or SIVR better for dividend income?
Compare yield, payout sustainability, and how each fund or stock fits your income goals. Use Dividend Wealth to model both holdings inside a real portfolio forecast.
What is the difference between SLV and SIVR?
iShares Silver Trust (SLV) is an ETF listed on AMEX. abrdn Physical Silver Shares ETF (SIVR) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, SLV or SIVR?
SIVR has the lower expense ratio. SLV charges 0.50% a year and SIVR charges 0.30%, a difference of $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, SLV or SIVR?
Over the last 5 years, SIVR has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: SLV returned 131.3% and SIVR returned 133.6%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, SLV or SIVR?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, SLV has been riskier: SLV fell as much as 52.4% and SIVR as much as 52.4%. Their betas are 1.26 and 1.26.
Can I hold both SLV and SIVR?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare SLV vs SIVR with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how SLV and SIVR fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.

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For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.