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.
SIVR has outpaced SLV over the trailing twelve months, posting a 5.06% total return against 4.76%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: SIVR has compounded at 12.24% a year, against 12.01% for SLV. 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 16, 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 Jul 2009” measures every fund from July 24, 2009 — 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 trailing 3 years. 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 trailing 3 years) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.
Not a distribution payer
SIVR (abrdn Physical Silver Shares ETF) has no distribution rate on file and its distribution frequency is None. SIVR is not a payer. The blank yield is not a zero yield. 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.
Bottom lineSIVR and SLV are both for investors who want a non-correlated hedge against inflation and market stress — so strategy isn't the deciding factor here. Cost is: SIVR charges 0.30% against 0.50% for SLV, and between two funds this similar that gap comes straight out of your return every year you hold.
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
Aberdeen is known for offering specialized ETFs that focus on physical commodities and closed-end fund strategies rather than traditional equity or bond portfolios. Their lineup of 10 ETFs emphasizes exposure to precious metals through products like PPLT (platinum), SGOL (gold), and SIVR (silver), as well as commodity-based and closed-end fund investments. This niche positioning makes Aberdeen a provider for investors seeking direct commodity exposure and alternative income strategies outside conventional dividend equity funds.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on SIVR.
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
iShares, operated by BlackRock, is one of the largest and most established ETF providers globally, known for offering broad, liquid index-tracking funds across nearly all asset classes and investment styles. The lineup encompasses a comprehensive range of strategies including core equity and bond exposure, dividend and income-focused funds, covered call strategies, ESG and thematic investments, factor-based approaches, alternatives, commodities, and municipal bonds, serving both individual and institutional investors. With numerous popular ticker symbols and extensive diversification across geographies, sectors, and investment objectives, iShares provides one of the market's widest selections of ETFs for building diversified portfolios.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on SLV.
SIVR (abrdn Physical Silver Shares ETF) and SLV (iShares Silver Trust) are both ETFs, but they take different approaches.
SIVR is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.30% compared to 0.50%.
SLV is the larger fund by assets ($29.7B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.
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On a $10,000 investment, SIVR has no reported distribution yield yet, so a cash estimate is not available, while SLV has no reported distribution yield yet, so a cash estimate is not available, at current distribution rates.
SIVR yield—
SLV yield—
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, SIVR would cost approximately $300 in fees vs $500 for SLV (simplified, not compounded). The $200.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
SIVR ER0.30%
SLV ER0.50%
Strategy & risk
SIVR is an ETF built around commodities exposure, while SLV tracks Silver bullion spot price with a metals approach.
SIVR beta1.22
SLV beta1.22
Fund details
SIVR is managed by Aberdeen (launched 07/24/2009) with $4.12B in assets. SLV is managed by iShares (launched 04/21/2006) with $29.7B in assets.
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Frequently asked questions
Which of SIVR or SLV pays more dividend income?
Neither SIVR nor SLV currently reports a distribution yield, so neither is an income fund today. Compare them on holdings, cost, and total return instead.
What is the difference between SIVR and SLV?
SIVR (abrdn Physical Silver Shares ETF) is an ETF built around commodities exposure, while SLV (iShares Silver Trust) tracks Silver bullion spot price with a metals approach. They are issued by Aberdeen and iShares respectively.
Can I hold both SIVR 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, SIVR or SLV?
SIVR has an expense ratio of 0.30% 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 SIVR vs SLV generate?
At current rates, SIVR does not pay distributions, so there is no cash income to estimate. SLV does not pay distributions, so there is no cash income to estimate.
Which has performed better historically, SIVR or SLV?
SIVR has outpaced SLV over the trailing twelve months, posting a 5.06% total return against 4.76%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: SIVR has compounded at 12.24% a year, against 12.01% for SLV. 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.
Figures quoted in this analysis are from its generation date and may lag the live snapshot table above, which always shows the latest data.
Overview
SIVR and SLV are both silver-backed ETFs that track the price of physical silver bullion, but they differ in size, cost, and issuer. SLV is the larger fund with $29.7B in assets versus $4.12B for SIVR, and it has been operating since 04/21/2006, 17 years longer than SIVR. The core distinction is structural: both hold physical silver to mirror spot prices, but their fee schedules and asset bases create different cost dynamics for investors. Both funds track the same underlying (silver bullion spot price) and neither distributes income, so the yield comparison is moot; your return comes entirely from silver price appreciation or depreciation. SLV's longer track record—20 years of history—may offer some comfort to investors researching historical volatility, though both show identical beta of 1.22.
Who each is best for
SIVR: Fits investors who want to own physical silver exposure at a lower fee rate and are comfortable with a smaller fund that may have wider trading spreads than the largest competitors in the space.
Key risks to know
Silver price volatility. Both funds track spot silver directly, so their values swing sharply with commodity-market swings; beta of 1.22 for both reflects that sensitivity to metals-market moves.
Physical custody and storage risk. Both funds hold actual silver bullion; regulatory or operational failures in vault storage, insurance, or bullion verification could impair their ability to meet redemptions, though such events are rare for major trust structures.
Fund closure or consolidation risk. Smaller commodity trusts sometimes merge or close if assets decline; SIVR's smaller scale means it faces slightly higher structural risk compared to SLV's more entrenched position. Past performance does not guarantee future results; the choice hinges on whether you prioritize fee efficiency or execution certainty.
AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.
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The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.
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