SLV vs VYM
iShares Silver Trust vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SLV or VYM?
Silver against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SLV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and 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 | SLV | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $32.0B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 1 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -8.85% | +11.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +57.75%Best | +15.34% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +41.27%Best | +17.22% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +23.85%Best | +12.30% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 32.4% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -76.3% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $29,139Best | $17,861 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Silver | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 21, 2006 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 18, 2026 (19.8 years).
SLV vs VYM 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 19.8 years both funds cover.
SLV vs VYM Performance
iShares Silver Trust (SLV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SLV returned +57.75% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, SLV is down 8.85% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Over three years, SLV compounded at +41.27% per year against +17.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +23.85% and +12.30% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, SLV has the edge at +8.11% annualized vs +6.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SLV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 32.4% compared with 14.6% for VYM. 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 -76.3% for SLV and -58.8% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.21. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SLV charges 0.50% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $4 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SLV currently yields 0.00% against 2.22% for VYM.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SLV and VYM 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, SLV or VYM?
SLV has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SLV or VYM?
Over the past year SLV returned +57.75% vs +15.34% for VYM, so SLV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), SLV annualized +8.11% vs +6.82% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SLV or VYM?
SLV has been the more volatile fund at 32.4% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SLV -76.3% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both SLV and VYM?
SLV and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.21, 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, SLV or VYM?
SLV yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SLV?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SLV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.