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.
KSLV has lagged SLV over the trailing twelve months, posting a 20.67% total return against 27.57%. Measured from Sep 2025 — the start of shared available history — SLV has compounded at 29.04% a year versus 21.97% 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.
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
Metric
KSLV
SLV
Forward distribution rate
30.35%
—
Trailing 12-month yield
32.46%
—
30-day SEC yield
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.
Not a distribution payer
SLV (iShares Silver Trust) has no distribution rate on file and its distribution frequency is None. SLV is not a payer. The blank yield is not a zero yield.
Side-by-side snapshot
Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric;
each column is one fund.
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.
Reflect the performance of the price of silver bullion less trust expenses.
Bottom lineChoose KSLV if you want to maximize current income — roughly 30.35%, generated by selling options premium. Choose SLV if you want a non-correlated hedge against inflation and market stress. There's no free lunch: KSLV's payout comes from selling options, which caps upside and can erode the share price over time, while SLV 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. KSLV generates 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.
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 KSLV.
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
iShares is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for offering a broad, diversified lineup of exchange-traded funds across multiple asset classes and investment strategies. The company operates 215 funds spanning 15 distinct families, including popular offerings in dividend income, covered call strategies, bonds, equities, ESG-focused investments, and factor-based approaches, with widely-held tickers like AGG (bond), ACWI (global equity), and AOA (allocation). iShares is characterized by its comprehensive fund ecosystem that serves both core portfolio holdings and specialized investment strategies, making it a prominent player for investors seeking both traditional and alternative income-generating ETF solutions.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on SLV.
KSLV (Kurv Silver Enhanced Income ETF) and SLV (iShares Silver Trust) are both ETFs, but they take different approaches.
KSLV currently shows a 30.35% distribution yield. SLV has not yet established a full distribution history, so a comparable yield figure is not available.
SLV is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.50% compared to 1.00%.
They have different reference exposures: KSLV is linked to Silver while SLV is linked to Silver bullion spot price, which means their performance drivers differ.
SLV is the larger fund by assets ($32.1B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.
Who should choose each?
Choose KSLV
Kurv Silver Enhanced Income ETF
Want to maximize current income — KSLV distributes roughly 30.35% from selling options premium, while SLV makes no distribution.
Are comfortable with an options-income strategy — a large payout in exchange for capped upside.
Choose SLV
iShares Silver Trust
Want a non-correlated hedge against inflation and equity stress.
Want to keep costs low — a 0.50% expense ratio vs 1.00% for KSLV.
Not sure? Use the income calculator and snapshot above to weigh these trade-offs against your own goals.
Still deciding? Track KSLV & SLV for free
Create a free Dividend Vision account to keep them on a watchlist, get notified when they declare dividends, and see how much income they would add to your portfolio.
On a $10,000 investment, KSLV would generate roughly $252.92 cash per distribution, while SLV has no reported distribution yield yet, so a cash estimate is not available, at current distribution rates.
KSLV yield30.35%
SLV yield—
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, KSLV would cost approximately $1,000 in fees vs $500 for SLV (simplified, not compounded). The $500.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
KSLV ER1.00%
SLV ER0.50%
Strategy & risk
KSLV tracks Silver with a metals approach, while SLV tracks Silver bullion spot price with a metals approach.
KSLV beta—
SLV beta1.23
Fund details
KSLV is managed by Kurv (launched 09/29/2025) with $120M in assets. SLV is managed by iShares (launched 04/21/2006) with $32.1B in assets.
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Frequently asked questions
Which of KSLV or SLV pays more dividend income?
KSLV currently reports a distribution yield, while SLV has not yet established a full distribution history. A direct income comparison is not yet meaningful — check back once both funds have published several consecutive distributions.
What is the difference between KSLV and SLV?
KSLV (Kurv Silver Enhanced Income ETF) tracks Silver with a metals approach, while SLV (iShares Silver Trust) tracks Silver bullion spot price with a metals approach. They are issued by Kurv and iShares respectively.
Can I hold both KSLV and SLV?
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.
Which has lower fees, KSLV or SLV?
KSLV has an expense ratio of 1.00% while SLV charges 0.50%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in KSLV vs SLV generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in KSLV would generate roughly $252.92 cash per distribution ($3,035.00 annually). SLV does not pay distributions, so there is no cash income to estimate.
Which has performed better historically, KSLV or SLV?
KSLV has lagged SLV over the trailing twelve months, posting a 20.67% total return against 27.57%. Measured from Sep 2025 — the start of shared available history — SLV has compounded at 29.04% a year versus 21.97% for KSLV. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Explore related screeners
Lateral filters that include these funds — browse the full peer set on DividendVision.
KSLV holds silver but layers on an options strategy—likely selling calls or puts—to generate cash income that flows to shareholders monthly. This explains the dramatically different yield profiles: SLV has no stated distribution rate and typically distributes nothing, while KSLV targets a 30.35% distribution rate. The expense ratio gap is modest (1.00% vs. Over time, this dynamic is likely to erode NAV unless silver appreciation or options premiums consistently exceed the distribution. The fund is very recent, so longer-term performance data is limited.
Options overlay cap on upside. If KSLV funds its distribution by selling call options against silver, appreciation beyond the strike is foregone. Investors receive income but sacrifice participation in sharp silver rallies.
Commodity price volatility. Silver bullion is volatile, with wide intra-year price swings. KSLV's leverage through derivatives amplifies this volatility; SLV tracks it directly without magnification.
Concentration in a single commodity. Both funds hold only silver. There is no diversification within these positions, making them sensitive to silver-specific supply shocks, monetary policy shifts, or industrial demand changes. If you prioritize monthly cash flow and are comfortable with the certainty of NAV decline as the price of a 30.35% payout, KSLV may fit an income-centric portfolio—but understand that you are trading away capital preservation and upside for current yield. Past performance does not predict future results; KSLV's brief track record means its sustainability has not been stress-tested through a full market cycle.
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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