SGOL vs SIVR ETF comparison
SGOL vs SIVR
SGOL is the abrdn gold trust, which seeks to hold only bars refined in 2012 or later under LBMA responsible sourcing rules, and SIVR is the abrdn silver trust, with a lower fee than SLV. SGOL holds gold bullion and SIVR holds silver bullion, so they follow two different metal prices.
Gold is mostly a monetary and investment metal, while more than half of silver demand comes from industry, which makes silver far more volatile. SGOL charges 0.17% and SIVR charges 0.30%. This page lines up what backs each share, what each trust costs, how closely each has tracked its metal and how each trades, with the date next to every number.
SGOL vs SIVR, the short answer
SGOL and SIVR hold different metals. SGOL holds gold bullion and SIVR holds silver bullion, so they follow two different metal prices. Gold is mostly a monetary and investment metal, while more than half of silver demand comes from industry, which makes silver far more volatile.
Expense ratios are 0.17% and 0.30%, which is $17 and $30 a year per $10,000. NAV total returns, annualized (both to Sep 30, 2026): 1 year 8.99% vs 31.13%; 3 years 30.48% vs 37.65%; 5 years 18.90% vs 22.68%; 10 years 11.94% vs 11.78%. Neither is better for everyone; the choice turns on cost, trading needs and what you already own.
SGOL vs SIVR overlap, if you own both
Overlap is normally measured stock by stock. Here each trust has one holding, and it is a different metal: SGOL owns gold bars and SIVR owns silver bars. Nothing is shared, so owning both spreads a precious metals position across two prices.
The two metals do not move together as closely as the labels suggest. Over the year to Sep 30, 2026, SGOL returned 8.99% and SIVR returned 31.13% at NAV. iShares reports a 3-year standard deviation of 20.19% for its gold trust and 45.13% for its silver trust, so silver has swung more than twice as hard.
| SGOL | SIVR | |
|---|---|---|
| Metal held | Gold bullion | Silver bullion |
| Ounces behind one share | 0.0095 | 0.949 |
| Expense ratio | 0.17% | 0.30% |
| Custodian | ICBC Standard Bank (United Kingdom) | ICBC Standard Bank (United Kingdom) |
| Net assets (Nov 9, 2026) | $7.02B | $3.58B |
SGOL vs SIVR, one goal, which fund?
SGOL vs SIVR, where the money goes
SGOL · abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF
SIVR · abrdn Physical Silver Shares ETF
SGOL vs SIVR returns compared over 1, 3, 5 and 10 years
SGOL vs SIVR, what each fund costs a year
The data room
Every figure behind the SGOL vs SIVR cards above, with its source, date and evidence grade. Open the issuer documents before relying on any number.
SGOL vs SIVR key facts
Evidence grade: Issuer issuer page · Mixed issuer plus provider · 3rd party| Metric | SGOL | SIVR | Grade and source |
|---|
Portfolio characteristics
| Metric | SGOL | SIVR | Grade and source |
|---|
Net assets are dated Nov 9, 2026 for both funds (SGOL $7.02B; SIVR $3.58B). Figures an issuer page does not show are left out or marked Not captured, not estimated.
SGOL vs SIVR holdings, what backs each share
Issuer pages · Nov 9, 2026| Item | SGOL | SIVR |
|---|---|---|
| What the trust holds | Allocated gold bullion bars | Allocated silver bullion bars |
| Other holdings | None reported, apart from small cash amounts for expenses | None reported, apart from small cash amounts for expenses |
| Ounces in trust | Not captured | Not captured |
| Ounces behind one share | 0.0095 | 0.949 |
| Custodian | ICBC Standard Bank (United Kingdom) | ICBC Standard Bank (United Kingdom) |
| Trustee | Bank of New York Mellon | Bank of New York Mellon |
| Sponsor | abrdn | abrdn |
| Reference price | LBMA Gold Price PM | LBMA Silver Price |
A physically backed trust has one holding, so there is no top-ten list. Each issuer publishes a bar list showing the bars held for the trust. abrdn states that SGOL seeks to hold only London Good Delivery bars refined on or after January 1, 2012, which fall under the LBMA Responsible Gold Guidance. Custodian and trustee are shown where the issuer page lists them, and gaps are marked Not captured.
SGOL vs SIVR tracking, fund against the metal price
NAV total return and benchmark, to Sep 30, 2026| Period | SGOL NAV | Benchmark | Gap, pts | SIVR NAV | Benchmark | Gap, pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 8.99% | 9.18% | 0.19 | 31.13% | 31.52% | 0.39 |
| 3 years | 30.48% | 30.70% | 0.22 | 37.65% | 38.07% | 0.42 |
| 5 years | 18.90% | 19.10% | 0.20 | 22.68% | 23.05% | 0.37 |
| 10 years | 11.94% | 12.19% | 0.25 | 11.78% | 12.12% | 0.34 |
What you actually own
SGOL vs SIVR performance
Matched dates, both to Sep 30, 2026All rows come from the issuer pages and are dated Sep 30, 2026 for both funds, so they compare like for like. NAV returns include fees; market price and benchmark returns are shown beside them. “Since inception” starts in different years (SGOL 2009, SIVR 2009). Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Growth of a hypothetical $10,000 · NAV total return, both to Sep 30, 2026
Both funds derived from issuer NAV total returns on matched dates (compounded). Fund expenses are already in NAV. Illustration, not a forecast.
SGOL vs SIVR yield, dividends and dividend growth
Yield and distribution facts| Measure | SGOL | SIVR |
|---|---|---|
| 30-day SEC yield | None | None |
| Distributions | None paid | None paid |
| How the fee is paid | Trust sells gold | Trust sells silver |
| Fee per $10,000 a year | $17 | $30 |
SGOL and SIVR have no yield. Bullion earns no interest and pays no dividend, so neither trust distributes income, and the whole return comes from the metal price less the fee. Anyone who needs income from a portfolio has to get it elsewhere or sell shares. See what is dividend yield and yield vs total return.
SGOL vs SIVR trading and liquidity
Issuer fund pages · Nov 9, 2026Both trusts trade on NYSE Arca. Spreads on the issuer pages were not captured for SGOL and not captured for SIVR, and a spread of 0.01% is about $10 between the buy and sell price on $100,000. Larger trusts usually trade with tighter spreads, which matters more for frequent traders than for long-term holders. Use limit orders for large trades and avoid the first and last minutes of the session. See creation, redemption and trading for how NAV, premiums and spreads arise.
SGOL vs SIVR expense ratio and fees in dollars
As stated by each issuer| Balance | SGOL (0.17%) | SIVR (0.30%) | Gap per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $17 | $30 | $13 |
| $50,000 | $85 | $150 | $65 |
| $100,000 | $170 | $300 | $130 |
The expense ratio is taken from the trust by selling metal, not billed to you. Fees exclude the bid/ask spread, any premium or discount to NAV, brokerage commissions and taxes.
SGOL vs SIVR, what each trust holds and how it is valued
Structure, in plain languageSGOL · LBMA Gold Price PM
SGOL is a grantor trust that holds allocated gold bullion and values it at the LBMA Gold Price PM. It was launched in 2009 and charges 0.17%. Custody terms and the bar list are described in the prospectus and on the issuer page.
SIVR · LBMA Silver Price
SIVR is a grantor trust that holds allocated silver bullion and values it at the LBMA Silver Price. It was launched in 2009 and charges 0.30%. Custody terms and the bar list are described in the prospectus and on the issuer page.
Custody, valuation and fee terms sit in each prospectus; read them before relying on this summary.
SGOL vs SIVR, why yield and returns differ
The fee explains most of the gapSGOL holds gold bullion and SIVR holds silver bullion, so they follow two different metal prices. Gold is mostly a monetary and investment metal, while more than half of silver demand comes from industry, which makes silver far more volatile.
A physically backed trust has no manager choosing securities. Its NAV follows the LBMA Gold Price PM for SGOL and the LBMA Silver Price for SIVR, and the main reason it trails that price is the fee. That is why the tracking table above matters more than any single year of returns: a trust that trails its benchmark by about its fee is doing its job.
How to decide between SGOL and SIVR
A step-by-step frameworkStart with what separates them: SGOL holds gold bullion and SIVR holds silver bullion, so they follow two different metal prices. Gold is mostly a monetary and investment metal, while more than half of silver demand comes from industry, which makes silver far more volatile.
- Step 1 · Metal: SGOL holds gold and SIVR holds silver.
- Step 2 · Cost: SGOL 0.17% vs SIVR 0.30%, or $17 vs $30 a year per $10,000.
- Step 3 · Trading: if you trade often or use options, the larger trust usually has tighter spreads; if you buy and hold, the fee matters more.
- Step 4 · What you own: check whether you already hold gold and silver through another fund with the Diversification Calculator.
Size the position against your whole portfolio. Precious metals pay no income and can fall for years, so they usually play a small, deliberate role.
SGOL vs SIVR for Canadian investors
Currency and account typeSGOL and SIVR are U.S.-listed and trade in U.S. dollars, so buying them from a Canadian account usually involves converting Canadian dollars, which adds a cost on entry and exit. A move in the U.S. dollar also changes your return in Canadian dollars.
Neither trust pays dividends, so U.S. dividend withholding tax is not the main issue here. Tax on gains depends on the account type and your own situation. Confirm the rules for your account with a tax professional. This is general education, not tax advice.
Risks of SGOL and SIVR
What can go wrongShared risks
- Metal prices can fall sharply and stay low for years; both gold and silver dropped from their highs during 2026.
- Bullion pays no interest or dividends, so the whole return depends on price.
- Each trust sells metal to pay its fee, so the ounces behind each share decline slowly over time.
- The metal is held by a custodian in a vault; see each prospectus for custody and insurance terms.
Fund-specific risks
- SGOL: gold is driven by interest rates, the U.S. dollar and investor demand.
- SIVR: silver is more volatile than gold because much of its demand is industrial.
- SGOL: expense ratio 0.17%, net assets $7.02B. SIVR: expense ratio 0.30%, net assets $3.58B.
- Both: not registered investment companies under the Investment Company Act of 1940; see each prospectus.
SGOL vs SIVR taxes and account placement
General education, not tax adviceIn the United States, physically backed metal trusts are generally treated as owning the metal directly, and long-term gains on gold and silver are generally taxed as collectibles at a maximum federal rate of 28%, which is higher than the usual long-term rate on stocks. The rule applies to both SGOL and SIVR. Short-term gains are taxed as ordinary income.
For Canadian account types, see the Canadian section above. Confirm the rules for your account with a tax professional, and read how to build an ETF portfolio.
Other ETFs people compare
For context, not recommendationsInvestors comparing SGOL and SIVR often also look at the other physical metal trusts in this group: GLD, IAU, GLDM, SGOL, SLV and SIVR. See the other gold and silver ETFs comparisons, the futures-based commodity ETFs and the ETF research hub.
SGOL vs SIVR drawdown arithmetic
What a decline means in dollarsRecovery gain = decline ÷ (1 − decline). The scenarios use illustrative declines of 10%, 20% and 30% so you can see what a drop does to each fund. They are a rough guide to a bad year, not a worst-case figure. See the Position Size Calculator.
Tools to compare SGOL vs SIVR
Static weights from this pageIgnores taxes, spreads and holdings differences. ETF Fee Calculator.
Check shared exposure with the Diversification Calculator.
SGOL vs SIVR, which fits which job
Characteristics, not recommendationsSGOL may suit investors who want…
Low-cost gold with a responsible sourcing rule.
Strengths
- Lower fee: 0.17% against 0.30%
- Larger trust: $7.02B against $3.58B
- Backed by allocated bullion
- Exchange-traded and priced all day
Watch points
- Led in 1 of 4 return windows (both to Sep 30, 2026)
- No income
- Not a complete portfolio
SIVR may suit investors who want…
Silver at a lower fee.
Strengths
- Led in 3 of 4 return windows (both to Sep 30, 2026)
- Backed by allocated bullion
- Exchange-traded and priced all day
Watch points
- Higher fee: 0.30% against 0.17%
- Smaller trust: $3.58B against $7.02B
- No income
- Not a complete portfolio
SGOL vs SIVR investor scenarios
Characteristics that fit, not recommendationsSGOL vs SIVR key terms
Plain-language definitions
SGOL vs SIVR, frequently asked questions
Answers use the figures and dates shown aboveIs SGOL or SIVR better?
In the SGOL vs SIVR question, neither is better for everyone. SGOL and SIVR hold different metals. SGOL holds gold bullion and SIVR holds silver bullion, so they follow two different metal prices. Gold is mostly a monetary and investment metal, while more than half of silver demand comes from industry, which makes silver far more volatile.
Expense ratios are 0.17% and 0.30%, which is $17 and $30 a year per $10,000. NAV total returns, annualized (both to Sep 30, 2026): 1 year 8.99% vs 31.13%; 3 years 30.48% vs 37.65%; 5 years 18.90% vs 22.68%; 10 years 11.94% vs 11.78%. Neither is better for everyone; the choice turns on cost, trading needs and what you already own.
SGOL vs SIVR, what are the expense ratios?
SGOL charges 0.17% and SIVR charges 0.30%, which is $17 and $30 a year per $10,000.
SGOL vs SIVR, how much do the funds overlap?
On SGOL vs SIVR, they do not overlap. SGOL holds gold bullion and SIVR holds silver bullion.
SGOL vs SIVR, what does each ETF hold?
SGOL holds allocated gold bars valued at the LBMA Gold Price PM. SIVR holds allocated silver bars valued at the LBMA Silver Price. Neither holds futures or mining stocks.
SGOL vs SIVR, which has performed better?
NAV total returns, annualized (both to Sep 30, 2026): 1 year 8.99% vs 31.13%; 3 years 30.48% vs 37.65%; 5 years 18.90% vs 22.68%; 10 years 11.94% vs 11.78%. The gap reflects the two metal prices. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
SGOL vs SIVR, how closely do they track the metal price?
Over 10 years to Sep 30, 2026, SGOL trailed its benchmark by 0.25 percentage points a year and SIVR by 0.34, against fees of 0.17% and 0.30%.
SGOL vs SIVR, can I own both?
On SGOL vs SIVR, you can. They hold different metals, so the mix is a choice about how much gold and how much silver you want.
SGOL vs SIVR, do the funds pay dividends?
On SGOL vs SIVR, no. SGOL and SIVR hold bullion, which earns no income, so neither pays a dividend or has a yield.
SGOL vs SIVR, how are gains taxed?
On SGOL vs SIVR, in the United States, long-term gains on physically backed gold and silver trusts are generally taxed as collectibles at up to 28%. Rules differ by country and account, so confirm with a tax professional. This is general education, not tax advice.
SGOL vs SIVR, are they suitable for Canadian investors?
On SGOL vs SIVR, both are U.S.-listed and trade in U.S. dollars, so Canadians face currency conversion costs. Neither pays dividends, so dividend withholding is not the main issue. Treatment of gains differs across TFSA, RRSP and taxable accounts. This is general education, not tax advice.
SGOL vs SIVR documents and sources
Open the issuer documents before relying on any figureSGOL · abrdn
SIVR · abrdn
Third-party sources
abrdn SGOL fund page · abrdn SIVR fund page.
Methodology and limits
- SGOL figures come from the abrdn fund page and SIVR figures from the abrdn fund page.
- Dates are shown beside each figure; the issuer documents are linked below.
- Ounces per share: SGOL uses NAV divided by the LBMA Gold Price PM of $4,117.00, Nov 9, 2026; SIVR uses NAV divided by the silver price implied by SLV on Nov 9, 2026.
- Overlap is stated by metal held, because a physically backed trust has a single holding.
- Tracking gap is the benchmark return minus the NAV return for the same period, both from the issuer page.
- Figures an issuer page does not show are marked Not captured, and nothing was filled from memory or from another fund.
- Growth of $10,000 is derived from annualized NAV total returns on matched dates; dollar values are approximate.
Educational research, not personalized investment, tax or legal advice, and not a recommendation to buy or sell any fund. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Calculators are hypothetical illustrations. Fund data are provided as published by the sources named and may differ from current figures.