The Trust is a passive investment vehicle designed to reflect the performance of the price of silver. With an expense ratio of 0.50%, it offers low-cost silver price exposure while being structured as a grantor trust that passes through interest, expenses, gains, and losses to shareholders for federal income tax purposes.
Cyborg Score Rationale
SLV demonstrates strong market position with substantial AUM ($36.8B), low expenses (50 bps), and exceptional liquidity. Performance in 2025 (147.86% return) reflects silver's bull market dynamics. YTD 2026 shows -4.86% decline, tracking broader precious metals correction. Position weakened by commodity market volatility and recent net redemptions.
Top Insights
(Q1 2026) Net assets declined from $38.05B to $35.67B due to 143.85M shares redeemed versus 102.9M issued, though silver price increased 0.97% to $72.69 per ounce
(June 2026) YTD total return of -4.86% as silver prices retreated from 52-week highs of $109.83, with trading range 32.06–$109.83 reflecting significant volatility
(Full Year 2025) Exceptional 147.86% return aligned with silver bull market, demonstrating leverage to commodity price appreciation
Low-cost structure (50 bps expense ratio) with grantor trust tax efficiency, providing direct silver exposure without active management
Named Competitors
SPDR Gold Trust — Leading gold commodity ETF
iShares Gold Trust — Alternative gold commodity exposure
Silver mining ETFs — Equity-based silver exposure via mining companies
Recent Developments
(June 2026) SLV trading at $61.29 with net assets of $36.82B and 542M shares outstanding
(Q1 2026) NAV per share increased 0.83% to $65.81 as silver price rose to $72.69 per ounce
(2025) Strong silver bull market drove 147.86% calendar year return, outperforming broad commodities indices
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