SLVO vs VTI
ETRACS Silver Shares Covered Call ETN vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, SLVO or VTI?
Silver against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. SLVO led over 3Y and 5Y, VTI over 1Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | SLVO | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $311M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 48.50% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | - | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | -4.54% | +13.02%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.77% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +27.72%Best | +21.97% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.19%Best | +11.99% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.5% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -78.4% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,415Best | $17,616 |
| Fund Family | UBS AG | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Silver | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 16, 2013 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 17, 2013 to Oct 14, 2026 (13.5 years).
SLVO vs VTI growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 13.5 years both funds cover.
SLVO vs VTI Performance
ETRACS Silver Shares Covered Call ETN (SLVO) is an ETF from UBS AG and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SLVO returned +8.77% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, SLVO is down 4.54% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, SLVO compounded at +27.72% per year against +21.97% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +14.19% and +11.99% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.86% annualized vs -3.51%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SLVO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.5% compared with 14.7% for VTI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -78.4% for SLVO and -35.0% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.30. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SLVO charges 0.65% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $3 annually, a gap of $62 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SLVO currently yields 48.50% against 1.06% for VTI.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SLVO and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SLVO or VTI?
SLVO has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $62 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SLVO or VTI?
Over the past year SLVO returned +8.77% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), SLVO annualized -3.51% vs +12.86% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SLVO or VTI?
SLVO has been the more volatile fund at 21.5% annualized versus 14.7% for VTI. Worst drawdown: SLVO -78.4% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both SLVO and VTI?
SLVO and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.30, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, SLVO or VTI?
SLVO yields 48.50% while VTI yields 1.06%, so SLVO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than SLVO?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. SLVO led over 3Y and 5Y, VTI over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.