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ETF Comparison

KGLD vs KSLV: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?

A head-to-head comparison of Kurv Gold Enhanced Income ETF and Kurv Silver Enhanced Income ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Updated October 2, 2026

How these figures are calculated: methodology.

Best for

  • KGLDInvestors who are comfortable trading away most upside for a large, steady payout.
  • KSLVInvestors who want to maximize current income — roughly 30.35%, generated by selling options premium.

Jump to the side-by-side numbers

Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.

Total returns

100% reinvested · ex-date convention. Period returns use this fixed assumption, independent of chart settings. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year.

KGLD has lagged KSLV over the trailing twelve months, posting a 4.99% total return against 20.67%. Measured from Sep 2025 — the start of shared available history — KSLV has compounded at 21.97% a year versus 5.34% for KGLD. KGLD has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 31.4% against 68.0% for KSLV. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.

Total return and risk statistics by fund. Each row is one fund; each column is one period or statistic.
SymbolYTD cumulative1Y cumulativeSince Sep 2025Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
KGLD-6.01%4.99%5.34%31.4%0.010.02-28.3%
KSLV-19.57%20.67%21.97%68.0%0.210.26-54.7%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of October 2, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year. “Since Sep 2025” measures every fund from September 30, 2025 — the start of shared available history — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the past year. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the past year) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.

Distribution rate and SEC yield

MetricKGLDKSLV
Forward distribution rate16.31%30.35%
Trailing 12-month yield16.50%32.46%
30-day SEC yield3.11%3.37%

Total return (price change plus reinvested distributions) is the Total returns section above. A 30-day SEC yield can sit far from the headline distribution rate; both numbers are the fund's own published fields.

Total return against the stated underlying is on KGLD vs GLD, KSLV vs SLV.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricKGLDKSLV
Full nameKurv Gold Enhanced Income ETFKurv Silver Enhanced Income ETF
IssuerKurvKurv
Underlying indexGoldSilver
Last Close$25.75 as of October 2, 2026$23.72 as of October 2, 2026
Distribution rate16.31%30.35%
Trailing 12-month yield16.50%32.46%
30-day SEC yield3.11%3.37%
Distribution Safety Score™ 9387
Safety-Adjusted Yield 15.17%26.40%
Expense ratio1.00%1.00%
AUM$159M$120M
Distribution frequencyMonthlyMonthly
ObjectiveKurv Gold Enhanced Income ETF seeks to maximize total return by actively managing a portfolio with efficient exposure to gold while, at the same time, generating potentially tax-efficient income.Kurv Silver Enhanced Income ETF seeks to maximize total return by actively managing a portfolio with efficient exposure to silver while, at the same time, generating potentially tax-efficient income.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date07/08/202509/29/2025
Last dividend$0.35$0.60
Ex-dividend date09/02/202609/16/2026

Bottom lineChoose KGLD if you are comfortable trading away most upside for a large, steady payout. Choose KSLV if you want to maximize current income — roughly 30.35%, generated by selling options premium. There's no free lunch: KSLV's payout comes from selling options, which caps upside and can erode the share price over time, while KGLD keeps full price exposure.

How the risk works

Read this before the income numbers below: the strategy mechanics on this page shape what those payouts can cost you.

  • Capped upside and premium dependence. KGLD and KSLV generate income by selling options, which trades away part of a strong rally in exchange for premium. Distributions can include return of capital, and a payout the underlying assets cannot sustain shows up as NAV erosion over time — the big yield number is not free.

Income calculator

See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.

ETFs16
Total AUM$645M

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

Kurv is known for developing actively managed, single-stock and thematic covered call ETFs that generate income through options strategies. The issuer's lineup spans fixed income, growth and income, precious metals strategies, and thematic investing approaches, with a notable focus on single-stock income products tied to mega-cap technology and consumer companies. Kurv's breadth includes both traditional covered call strategies and more specialized offerings in metals and sector-specific themes, appealing to investors seeking equity income across various market segments.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on KGLD and KSLV.

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Quick verdict

KGLD (Kurv Gold Enhanced Income ETF) and KSLV (Kurv Silver Enhanced Income ETF) are both monthly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

KSLV offers the higher yield at 30.35% vs 16.31% for KGLD. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

They have different reference exposures: KGLD is linked to Gold while KSLV is linked to Silver, which means their performance drivers differ.

KGLD is the larger fund by assets ($159M), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, KGLD would generate roughly $135.92 cash per distribution, while KSLV would produce $252.92 cash per distribution, at current distribution rates. Both pay monthly distributions.

KGLD yield16.31%
KSLV yield30.35%
Cash diff on $10K$117.00

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, KGLD would cost approximately $1,000 in fees vs $1,000 for KSLV (simplified, not compounded). Both charge the same expense ratio.

KGLD ER1.00%
KSLV ER1.00%

Strategy & risk

KGLD tracks Gold with a metals approach, while KSLV tracks Silver with a metals approach.

Fund details

KGLD is managed by Kurv (launched 07/08/2025) with $159M in assets. KSLV is managed by Kurv (launched 09/29/2025) with $120M in assets.

KGLD AUM$159M
KSLV AUM$120M

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Frequently asked questions

What is the current distribution rate for KGLD and KSLV?

KGLD currently distributes 16.31% and KSLV 30.35%, based on fund data updated October 2026. Distribution rate moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.

Is KGLD or KSLV better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. KSLV currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.

What is the difference between KGLD and KSLV?

KGLD (Kurv Gold Enhanced Income ETF) tracks Gold with a metals approach, while KSLV (Kurv Silver Enhanced Income ETF) tracks Silver with a metals approach. They are issued by Kurv and Kurv respectively.

Can I hold both KGLD and KSLV?

Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.

Is KGLD or KSLV safer?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — KGLD scores 93, KSLV scores 87, so KGLD's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee, and the leverage, options-income, or crypto caveats flagged on this page apply regardless of score.

Which has lower fees, KGLD or KSLV?

KGLD and KSLV both charge the same expense ratio of 1.00%, so neither is cheaper on fees — pick based on yield, strategy, or underlying index instead.

How much income does $10,000 in KGLD vs KSLV generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in KGLD would generate roughly $135.92 cash per distribution ($1,631.00 annually). The same in KSLV would produce about $252.92 cash per distribution ($3,035.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, KGLD or KSLV?

KGLD has lagged KSLV over the trailing twelve months, posting a 4.99% total return against 20.67%. Measured from Sep 2025 — the start of shared available history — KSLV has compounded at 21.97% a year versus 5.34% for KGLD. KGLD has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 31.4% against 68.0% for KSLV. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

KGLD vs KSLV — at a glance

Generated October 3, 2026.

They launched within the last few months and share identical expense ratios, but differ fundamentally in their underlying commodity, distribution yield, and asset base size.

How they differ

The single biggest difference is the distribution rate: KSLV yields 30.35% versus KGLD's 16.31%, a gap of more than 14 percentage points. That stark contrast stems from the metals themselves—silver is more volatile and offers richer option premium relative to its price—rather than a difference in strategy or fee structure. Both funds charge 1.00%, have monthly payout schedules, and employ derivative overlays to enhance income. KGLD commands a larger asset base at $159M against $120M, a sign that its lower yield has attracted slightly more capital since inception.

Who each is best for

  • KGLD: Fits investors seeking precious metals exposure with meaningful income supplementation, who view the 16.31% yield as a sustainable blend of commodity upside and option-generated cash flow rather than a red flag.
  • KSLV: Fits investors comfortable with higher distribution rates in exchange for greater NAV volatility, who understand that silver's price swings create wider option premiums and are willing to accept the concentrated commodity risk.

Key risks to know

  • High distribution yields and NAV erosion. Both funds distribute yields well above typical equity returns. At 30.35%, KSLV is especially exposed to NAV erosion if the underlying silver price stagnates or declines; distributions above underlying commodity gains must be funded partly by return of capital, which mechanically shrinks the fund's asset value over time. If silver prices fall sharply, the overlay strategy may not generate sufficient premium to sustain the 30.35% payout, forcing a distribution cut.
  • Derivative overlay complexity and tail risk. Both funds rely on active option-writing strategies to generate income. Sudden spikes in implied volatility or gap moves in the underlying commodity can leave the overlay underwater or force early exercise, disrupting the income stream and compressing NAV.
  • Concentration in a single commodity. Each fund holds exposure to only one precious metal. Investors holding both would not reduce overall concentration; holdings overlap is a risk to verify independently.
  • Recent inception and limited performance history. KGLD launched in July 2025 and KSLV in September 2025. Neither fund has a full market cycle of data, making it impossible to assess how the strategy performs in sustained commodity downturns or low-volatility regimes. Both carry meaningful NAV-erosion risk at their current yields and are best suited to investors with a high threshold for commodity fluctuation and understanding of options-overlay mechanics. Past performance does not predict future results.

AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.

Learn the method

The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.

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These comparisons follow the Dividend Vision methodology.