PSLV vs SPY
Sprott Physical Silver Trust vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, PSLV or SPY?
Silver against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. PSLV led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, SPY over the full window.
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 | PSLV | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.56% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $13.3B | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 3 | 505 |
| YTD Return | -10.40% | +12.09%Best |
| 1Y Return | +53.00%Best | +16.29% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +40.22%Best | +21.20% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +22.88%Best | +13.37% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 32.4% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -79.4% | -34.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $28,016Best | $18,728 |
| Fund Family | Sprott Asset Management LP | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Silver | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 27, 2010 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 29, 2010 to Sep 18, 2026 (15.9 years).
PSLV vs SPY 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 15.9 years both funds cover.
PSLV vs SPY Performance
Sprott Physical Silver Trust (PSLV) is an ETF from Sprott Asset Management LP and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year PSLV returned +53.00% while SPY returned +16.29%. Year to date, PSLV is down 10.40% versus a gain of 12.09% for SPY.
Over three years, PSLV compounded at +40.22% per year against +21.20% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +22.88% and +13.37% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +12.95% annualized vs +4.97%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PSLV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 32.4% compared with 14.1% for SPY. 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 -79.4% for PSLV and -34.1% for SPY. 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
PSLV charges 0.56% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $56 vs $9 annually, a gap of $47 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PSLV currently yields 0.00% against 0.98% for SPY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PSLV and SPY 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, PSLV or SPY?
PSLV has an expense ratio of 0.56% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $47 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PSLV or SPY?
Over the past year PSLV returned +53.00% vs +16.29% for SPY, so PSLV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), PSLV annualized +4.97% vs +12.95% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PSLV or SPY?
PSLV has been the more volatile fund at 32.4% annualized versus 14.1% for SPY. Worst drawdown: PSLV -79.4% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both PSLV and SPY?
PSLV and SPY 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, PSLV or SPY?
PSLV yields 0.00% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than PSLV?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. PSLV led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, SPY over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.