GLD vs SLV
Apr 28, 2006 – Sep 24, 2026, SLV sets the start date
| Final balance | CAGR | Max drawdown | Sharpe ratio | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLD | $60,177 | 9.19% | −45.56% | 0.57 |
| SLV | $41,717 | 7.25% | −76.28% | 0.38 |
| GLD | SLV | |
|---|---|---|
| Final balance | $60,177 | $41,717 |
| CAGR | 9.19% | 7.25% |
| Max drawdown | −45.56% | −76.28% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.57 | 0.38 |
Loading the growth chart…
Growth of $10,000
- GLD
- SLV
Trailing returns
Annualized past 1Y
| Period | GLD | SLV | GLD − SLV |
|---|---|---|---|
| YTD | −1.17% | −10.56% | +9.39% |
| 1Y | 14.09% | 44.70% | −30.61% |
| 3Y | 29.92% | 38.73% | −8.81% |
| 5Y | 19.12% | 22.71% | −3.59% |
| 10Y | 11.86% | 11.92% | −0.06% |
| 15Y | 6.16% | 4.45% | +1.71% |
| 20Y | 9.97% | 8.56% | +1.42% |
Metrics
| Return | GLD | SLV |
|---|---|---|
| Final balance | $60,177 | $41,717 |
| Total return | 501.77% | 317.17% |
| CAGR | 9.19% | 7.25% |
| Calendar years | GLD | SLV |
| Best year | 63.68% | 144.66% |
| Worst year | −28.33% | −36.30% |
| Positive years | 13 of 19 | 11 of 19 |
| Risk | GLD | SLV |
| Max drawdown | −45.56% | −76.28% |
| Longest drawdown | 8.9 years | 14.5 years |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.38% | 33.35% |
| Risk-adjusted | GLD | SLV |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.57 | 0.38 |
| Sortino ratio | 0.80 | 0.52 |
| Calmar ratio | 0.20 | 0.10 |
| Return | GLD | SLV |
|---|---|---|
| Final balance | $60,177 | $41,717 |
| Total return | 501.77% | 317.17% |
| CAGR | 9.19% | 7.25% |
| Calendar years | GLD | SLV |
| Best year | 63.68% | 144.66% |
| Worst year | −28.33% | −36.30% |
| Positive years | 13 of 19 | 11 of 19 |
| Risk | GLD | SLV |
|---|---|---|
| Max drawdown | −45.56% | −76.28% |
| Longest drawdown | 8.9 years | 14.5 years |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.38% | 33.35% |
| Risk-adjusted | GLD | SLV |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.57 | 0.38 |
| Sortino ratio | 0.80 | 0.52 |
| Calmar ratio | 0.20 | 0.10 |
Worst drawdowns
| Decline | Peak | Bottom | Recovered |
|---|---|---|---|
| −45.6% | Aug 2011 | Dec 2015 | Jul 2020 |
| −29.4% | Mar 2008 | Nov 2008 | Sep 2009 |
| −26.4% | Jan 2026 | Jul 2026 | Not yet |
| −22.0% | Aug 2020 | Sep 2022 | Mar 2024 |
| −21.8% | May 2006 | Jun 2006 | Sep 2007 |
| Decline | Peak | Bottom | Recovered |
|---|---|---|---|
| −76.3% | Apr 2011 | Mar 2020 | Oct 2025 |
| −57.1% | Mar 2008 | Oct 2008 | Sep 2010 |
| −52.3% | Jan 2026 | Jul 2026 | Not yet |
| −35.2% | May 2006 | Jun 2006 | Nov 2007 |
| −13.8% | Oct 2025 | Oct 2025 | Nov 2025 |
Annual returns
| Year | GLD | SLV | GLD − SLV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006* | −2.89% | −6.86% | +3.98% |
| 2007 | +30.45% | +14.25% | +16.20% |
| 2008 | +4.92% | −23.79% | +28.72% |
| 2009 | +24.03% | +47.68% | −23.65% |
| 2010 | +29.27% | +82.47% | −53.20% |
| 2011 | +9.57% | −10.74% | +20.30% |
| 2012 | +6.60% | +9.02% | −2.42% |
| 2013 | −28.33% | −36.30% | +7.97% |
| 2014 | −2.19% | −19.51% | +17.32% |
| 2015 | −10.67% | −12.42% | +1.75% |
| 2016 | +8.03% | +14.56% | −6.52% |
| 2017 | +12.81% | +5.82% | +6.99% |
| 2018 | −1.94% | −9.19% | +7.25% |
| 2019 | +17.86% | +14.88% | +2.98% |
| 2020 | +24.81% | +47.30% | −22.49% |
| 2021 | −4.15% | −12.45% | +8.31% |
| 2022 | −0.77% | +2.37% | −3.14% |
| 2023 | +12.69% | −1.09% | +13.78% |
| 2024 | +26.66% | +20.89% | +5.77% |
| 2025 | +63.68% | +144.66% | −80.99% |
| 2026* | −1.17% | −10.56% | +9.39% |
* Partial year
Rolling returns
| Period | GLD median | SLV median | More often ahead |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Y | 8.16% | 5.17% | GLD 65% |
| 3Y | 8.55% | 5.74% | GLD 63% |
| 5Y | 7.17% | 6.14% | GLD 72% |
| 10Y | 3.82% | 1.00% | GLD 93% |
About GLD vs SLV
GLD holds gold bars and SLV silver bars, and each follows its metal's price. More than half of each year's silver goes into industry, much of it into solar panels and electronics, so silver's price also moves with industrial demand.
GLD returned 9.2% a year from Apr 2006 to Sep 2026, against 7.2% for SLV. GLD fell furthest in 2011–2015, by 45.6%, and SLV in 2011–2020, by 76.3%. GLD beat SLV in 12 of 19 full years and in 93% of rolling 10-year periods.
Uses daily closing prices with dividends reinvested. Fund fees are included, but not taxes or trading costs. The comparison starts on Apr 28, 2006, when SLV's prices begin.