GLD Offers Stability While SLVP Brings Big Swings

Company valuation iShares MSCI Global Silver and Metals Miners ETF (NYSEMKT:SLVP) again SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEMKT:GLD) they are very different in their underlying exposure — silver miners versus physical gold — while exhibiting sharp differences in risk, recent returns, and trading scale.

The iShares MSCI Global Silver and Metals Miners ETF is designed to capture the performance of global companies focused on silver exploration and mining, which can make them highly volatile and highly dynamic in the precious metal markets. SPDR Gold Shares, in contrast, offer direct exposure to gold, providing a highly liquid, low-volatility way to participate in gold price movements. This comparison examines the cost, performance, risk, and portfolio composition of each ETF for those weighing a share of the precious metal.

Beta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from five-year monthly returns. The 1-year return represents the total return over the next 12 months.

Both funds have almost identical expense ratios, with SLVP at 0.39% and GLD at 0.4%, so expenses alone won’t sway many investors between the two.

SPDR Gold Shares are designed to match the price of physical gold, giving investors a direct way to gain exposure to gold without having to carry cash. With less than $155 billion in assets under management and more than 21 years in the market, it stands out for its sheer scale and liquidity, attracting those looking for efficient, direct gold allocation. This fund is fully diversified under fundamentals, does not disclose holdings beyond physical gold, and does not pay dividends.

SLVP, on the other hand, tracks a basket of silver and metals mining companies around the world, which also come into the commodities sector. Its maximum catch — Hecla Mining, Company Fresnillo plcand Industrias Penoles — can present company-specific risks and opportunities not found in a pure commodity ETF. SLVP owns 36 stocks, providing more diversification within mining but exposure to operational and political aspects affecting miners.

For more information on ETF investing, see the full guide at this link.

Investing in precious metals can serve different investment goals. Gold is often considered a store of value, with little price volatility and the potential to save money. On the other hand, silver is often less expensive but more versatile, as it is used in several industrial processes including electrical components, solar energy, and electric vehicles.

In addition, GLD and SLVP offer investors exposure to precious metals in very different ways. GLD is a solid way to track gold price performance, minus the small fees SPDR charges investors. SLVP provides exposure to mining companies, particularly those that explore for silver and mining, but also those that mine for gold and other commodities. The stocks of these companies tend to be more volatile than the prices of their underlying metals, as they fluctuate against market demand, operating costs, and interest rates. It is the reason that SLVP’s one-year return is 3 times that of GLD, but its maximum drawdown over five years is also more than double that of the gold ETF.

Investors looking for both safety and potential in a market that is a little removed from today’s hot tech tickers may want to consider putting some money into each of these metal options. Otherwise, those looking for a safe store of value will have better luck with GLD, while those with a greater appetite for risk and potential rewards may be more interested in SLVP.

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Sarah Sidlow has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Fresnillo Plc. The Motley Fool has a policy of disclosure.

GLD Offers Stability While SLVP Takes Bigger Swings was originally published by The Motley Fool.