GLD Offers Direct Gold Exposure and More Price Stability While SLVP Delivers Bigger Swings

These precious metal powerhouse funds offer diverse ways to invest in rare metals such as gold and silver. The iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners ETF (SLVP +5.44%) and SPDR Gold Shares ETF (GLD +2.49%) differ most in their approach to precious metals exposure: SLVP invests in silver miners, while GLD tracks physical gold. This comparison highlights how these differences play out in costs, returns, risk, and portfolio construction.Snapshot (cost & size)MetricSLVPGLDIssueriSharesSPDRExpense ratio0.39%0.40%1-yr return (as of Feb. 14, 2016)194.28%72.83%Beta0.790.14AUM$1.2 billion$175.67 billionBeta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from five-year weekly returns. The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months.SLVP and GLD charge nearly identical expense ratios, but GLD has a significantly lower beta, offering more price stability in an already volatile market. However, SLVP’s one-year return is tough to beat. Performance & risk comparisonMetricSLVPGLDMax drawdown (5 y)-55.41%-21.03%Growth of $1,000 over 5 years$2,482$2,673What's insideLaunched over 20 years ago, GLD tracks the performance of physical gold, offering investors direct gold exposure by allocating 100% of its holdings to gold bars held in London vaults. SLVP holds 42 stocks that are predominantly tied to the silver mining market. Created in 2012, its top three positions are Hecla Mining Co. (HL +8.11%), Industrias Penoles (PE&OLES.MX), and Fresnillo Plc. (FRES.L), with most of its top weight leaning towards Mexican-based mining companies. For more guidance on ETF investing, check out the full guide at this link.What this means for investorsIn 2025, the precious metals market skyrocketed, with many metals often following Gold's price movements. Gold, along with other metals, is seen as a hedge against the U.S. dollar, especially during periods of geopolitical and economic turbulence. With international tariffs and heightened tensions throughout 2025 and this year, demand and prices for metals have risen significantly. Since the start of 2025 up until Feb. 14, 2026, the price of gold per ounce has nearly doubled. However, investors should be aware of the volatility of the precious metals market, especially with GLD, since it directly holds gold. Precious metals are highly volatile compared to stocks, and prices can fall as quickly as they rise. In SLVP’s case, silver’s value may continue to rise as it becomes increasingly rare and in demand, but silver mining companies may have to pivot operationally, as it’s estimated that over 70% of silver is mined indirectly as a byproduct of other metals. That’s because silver is difficult to mine on its own. As various industries become increasingly reliant on it for products such as electric vehicles, solar panels, and even medical applications, silver demand outpaces production. This may leave companies forced to shift towards mining other metals, which can be effective, but would dilute the concentration of silver mining for these stocks. Until then, both SLVP and GLD continue to benefit from the precious metal market’s meteoric rise in 2025 and so far in early 2026. Read NextFeb 12, 2026 •By John BallardGLD Offers Stability While SIL Brings Bigger SwingsFeb 9, 2026 •By Adam SpataccoHow Much Higher Will Gold Go?Feb 8, 2026 •By Keith SpeightsWarren Buffett Called Gold a Do-Nothing Asset in 2018. Here's What a $10,000 Bet Is Worth Today.Feb 7, 2026 •By Jake LerchSLVP Delivers Bigger Gains Than GLD, But Also Carries Greater RiskFeb 5, 2026 •By Will HealyGLD Holds More Gold While IAU Is More AffordableFeb 5, 2026 •By Will HealyGLD Offers Stability While SGDM Brings Higher Risk RewardStocks MentionedSPDR Gold SharesNYSEMKT: GLD$462.62 (+2.49%) $+11.23iShares - iShares Msci Global Silver And Metals Miners ETFNYSEMKT: SLVP$41.64 (+5.44%) $+2.15*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.