iShares Silver ETF (SLV) Performance
SLV total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- −24.4% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- +10.3% total return
- 5 years
- +16.7% a year
- 10 years
- +11.3% a year
- Since first price
- +6.3% a year since 2006
SLV trailing returns vs SPY, QQQ, AGG
| Period | SLV total return | Price only | S&P 500 (SPY) | Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) | U.S. bonds (AGG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | −16.2% | −16.2% | −1.0% | −5.0% | +0.9% |
| 3 months | −6.4% | −6.4% | +3.2% | +1.9% | −0.4% |
| 6 months | −28.8% | −28.8% | +7.8% | +8.4% | −1.5% |
| YTD | −24.4% | −24.4% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 1 year | +10.3% | +10.3% | +14.4% | +15.9% | −1.1% |
| 3 years | +131.4%+32.3%/yr | +131.4% | +87.4%+23.3%/yr | +101.4%+26.3%/yr | +16.6%+5.2%/yr |
| 5 years | +116.1%+16.7%/yr | +116.1% | +79.3%+12.4%/yr | +94.0%+14.2%/yr | −0.8%−0.2%/yr |
| 10 years | +192.6%+11.3%/yr | +192.6% | +315.9%+15.3%/yr | +538.9%+20.4%/yr | +14.0%+1.3%/yr |
| 15 years | +59.8%+3.2%/yr | +59.8% | +696.0%+14.8%/yr | +1,299.3%+19.2%/yr | +32.2%+1.9%/yr |
| 20 years | +318.6%+7.4%/yr | +318.6% | +696.9%+10.9%/yr | +1,839.9%+16.0%/yr | +79.6%+3.0%/yr |
| Since inceptionApr 28, 2006 | +252.7%+6.3%/yr | +252.7% | — | — | — |
Total return from adjusted closes (distributions reinvested, before tax). Periods of 3 years or more are also shown annualized. Price only excludes distributions.
Growth of $10,000: SLV vs SPY
From Apr 28, 2006: SLV grew to $35,274, SPY to $84,060.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
SLV returns by calendar year
11 of 19 full years positive. Best 2025 (+144.7%), worst 2013 (−36.3%). 2026 is year to date.
SLV annual returns table
| Year | SLV | Largest drop | SPY | QQQ | AGG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | −24.4% | −53.9% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 2025 | +144.7% | −13.8% | +17.7% | +20.8% | +7.2% |
| 2024 | +20.9% | −17.0% | +24.9% | +25.6% | +1.3% |
| 2023 | −1.1% | −19.6% | +26.2% | +54.9% | +5.7% |
| 2022 | +2.4% | −33.0% | −18.2% | −32.6% | −13.0% |
| 2021 | −12.5% | −25.4% | +28.7% | +27.4% | −1.8% |
| 2020 | +47.3% | −35.6% | +18.3% | +48.6% | +7.5% |
| 2019 | +14.9% | −15.6% | +31.2% | +39.0% | +8.5% |
| 2018 | −9.2% | −20.6% | −4.6% | −0.1% | +0.1% |
| 2017 | +5.8% | −16.0% | +21.7% | +32.7% | +3.6% |
| 2016 | +14.6% | −23.9% | +12.0% | +7.1% | +2.4% |
| 2015 | −12.4% | −25.8% | +1.2% | +9.4% | +0.5% |
| 2014 | −19.5% | −30.8% | +13.5% | +19.2% | +6.0% |
| 2013 | −36.3% | −42.6% | +32.3% | +36.6% | −2.0% |
| 2012 | +9.0% | −28.5% | +16.0% | +18.1% | +3.8% |
| 2011 | −10.7% | −44.4% | +1.9% | +3.4% | +7.7% |
| 2010 | +82.5% | −20.1% | +15.1% | +19.9% | +6.4% |
| 2009 | +47.7% | −20.6% | +26.4% | +54.7% | +3.0% |
| 2008 | −23.8% | −57.1% | −36.8% | −41.7% | +7.9% |
| 2007 | +14.2% | −21.7% | +5.1% | +19.0% | +6.6% |
Largest drop = deepest fall from a high within that calendar year.
Calendar-year return vs largest drop within the year
Most years include a sizable fall at some point even when the year ends higher.
SLV largest drawdowns
Now 53.9% below the high| Peak | Decline | Bottom | Recovered | Fall | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 28, 2011 | −76.3% | Mar 18, 2020 | Oct 13, 2025 | 8.9 years | 14.5 years |
| Mar 5, 2008 | −57.1% | Oct 27, 2008 | Sep 22, 2010 | 8 months | 2.5 years |
| Jan 28, 2026 | −53.9% | Oct 23, 2026 | not yet | 9 months | 9 months so far |
| May 11, 2006 | −35.2% | Jun 13, 2006 | Nov 6, 2007 | 33 days | 1.5 years |
| Oct 16, 2025 | −13.8% | Oct 27, 2025 | Nov 28, 2025 | 11 days | 43 days |
| Dec 31, 2010 | −13.1% | Jan 25, 2011 | Feb 17, 2011 | 25 days | 48 days |
Declines from a closing high (distributions reinvested) of 10% or more. Underwater = time from the peak until the old high was regained.
SLV risk statistics
| Statistic | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | Since 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annualized return | +38.9% | +21.6% | +11.6% | +7.0% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 34.9% | 32.1% | 30.2% | 32.6% |
| Sharpe ratio | 1.00 | 0.66 | 0.44 | — |
| Sortino ratio | 1.75 | 1.12 | 0.75 | — |
| Best month | +25.8% | +25.8% | +33.2% | +33.2% |
| Worst month | −21.7% | −21.7% | −21.7% | −28.5% |
| Best 12 months | +200.2% | +200.2% | +200.2% | +200.2% |
| Worst 12 months | +8.1% | −20.2% | −25.1% | −40.5% |
| Positive months | 58% | 55% | 51% | 51% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 0.43 | 0.52 | 0.58 | — |
| Correlation with S&P 500 | 0.15 | 0.25 | 0.30 | — |
From monthly total returns. Sharpe and Sortino use 1–3 month T-bills (BIL) as the risk-free rate, so they need history from 2007 on.
SLV rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 235 | −40.5% | +6.0% | +200.2% | 56% |
| 3-year (a year) | 211 | −26.7% | +6.0% | +64.1% | 64% |
| 5-year (a year) | 187 | −18.4% | +6.3% | +28.1% | 66% |
| 10-year (a year) | 127 | −6.5% | +1.1% | +19.6% | 61% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2006. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
SLV performance overview
iShares Silver ETF (SLV) returned +10.3% over the past year and +11.3% a year over ten years, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price in 2006 it has returned +6.3% a year, turning $10,000 into about $35,274. Over the same year S&P 500 (SPY) returned +14.4%.
The deepest decline was −76.3%, from Apr 28, 2011 to Mar 18, 2020, and it took 5.6 years to get back to the old high. SLV finished 11 of its 19 full calendar years with a gain; the best year was 2025 (+144.7%) and the worst 2013 (−36.3%). Volatility has been 32.6% a year.
Related: SLV chart. See the SLV overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
SLV performance FAQ
What is the SLV return over the past year?
SLV returned +10.3% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it rose 10.3%.
What is the average annual return of SLV?
SLV has returned +16.7% a year over 5 years, +11.3% a year over 10 years, +6.3% a year since April 28, 2006 (total return, distributions reinvested).
How much would $10,000 invested in SLV be worth?
$10,000 invested in SLV at its first recorded close on April 28, 2006 would be worth about $35,274 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
What was the worst year for SLV?
The worst calendar year was 2013, with a total return of −36.3%. The best was 2025 at +144.7%.
What is the biggest drawdown of SLV?
The largest peak-to-trough decline was −76.3% between April 28, 2011 and March 18, 2020. It recovered to the old high on October 13, 2025, 5.6 years after the bottom.
How volatile is SLV?
Over the past 3 years SLV had an annualized volatility of 34.9% and a Sharpe ratio of 1.00 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).