IVV vs SLV
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs iShares Silver Trust
Which is better, IVV or SLV?
Large Cap Blend against Silver.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over the full window, SLV over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | IVV | SLV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.50% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $32.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 508 | 1 |
| YTD Return | +14.15%Best | -9.31% |
| 1Y Return | +17.31% | +48.93%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.17% | +40.36%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.85% | +23.40%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.2%Best | 32.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5%Best | -76.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,128 | $28,614Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Commodity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Silver |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Apr 21, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 28, 2006 to Sep 21, 2026 (20.4 years).
IVV vs SLV growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 20.4 years both funds cover.
IVV vs SLV Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and iShares Silver Trust (SLV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year IVV returned +17.31% while SLV returned +48.93%. Year to date, IVV is up 14.15% versus a loss of 9.31% for SLV.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +23.17% per year against +40.36% for SLV; over five years the annualized figures are +13.85% and +23.40% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +9.52% annualized vs +7.43%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SLV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 32.5% compared with 15.2% for IVV. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -56.5% for IVV and -76.3% for SLV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.27. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while SLV charges 0.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $50 annually, a gap of $47 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 0.00% for SLV.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and SLV you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IVV or SLV?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while SLV charges 0.50%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $47 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or SLV?
Over the past year IVV returned +17.31% vs +48.93% for SLV, so SLV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), IVV annualized +9.52% vs +7.43% for SLV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or SLV?
SLV has been the more volatile fund at 32.5% annualized versus 15.2% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -56.5% vs SLV -76.3%.
Should I hold both IVV and SLV?
IVV and SLV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.27, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or SLV?
IVV yields 1.06% while SLV yields 0.00%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SLV better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over the full window, SLV over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.