SLVO vs VYM
ETRACS Silver Shares Covered Call ETN vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SLVO or VYM?
Silver against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SLVO led over 3Y and 5Y, VYM 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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $311M | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 48.50% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | - | 608 |
| YTD Return | -4.54% | +11.83%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.77% | +15.96%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +27.72%Best | +18.60% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.19%Best | +11.51% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.5% | 13.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -78.4% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,415Best | $17,241 |
| Fund Family | UBS AG | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Silver | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 16, 2013 | Nov 10, 2006 |
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 VYM 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 VYM Performance
ETRACS Silver Shares Covered Call ETN (SLVO) is an ETF from UBS AG and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SLVO returned +8.77% while VYM returned +15.96%. Year to date, SLVO is down 4.54% versus a gain of 11.83% for VYM.
Over three years, SLVO compounded at +27.72% per year against +18.60% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +14.19% and +11.51% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.56% 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 13.4% for VYM. 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 -35.7% for VYM. 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 VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $4 annually, a gap of $61 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SLVO currently yields 48.50% against 2.37% for VYM.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SLVO and VYM 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 VYM?
SLVO has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $61 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SLVO or VYM?
Over the past year SLVO returned +8.77% vs +15.96% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), SLVO annualized -3.51% vs +9.56% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SLVO or VYM?
SLVO has been the more volatile fund at 21.5% annualized versus 13.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SLVO -78.4% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both SLVO and VYM?
SLVO and VYM 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 VYM?
SLVO yields 48.50% while VYM yields 2.37%, so SLVO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SLVO?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SLVO led over 3Y and 5Y, VYM over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.