SLV vs. GDX: Investing in The Top Precious Metals

Core Viewpoint - Precious metals serve as a hedge against the U.S. dollar, with iShares Silver Trust (SLV) and VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) providing distinct exposure to silver and gold mining equities respectively [1][2] Cost & Size - SLV has an expense ratio of 0.50% and assets under management (AUM) of $47.32 billion, while GDX has an expense ratio of 0.51% and AUM of $30.77 billion [3] - Both ETFs have similar expense ratios, making annual fees negligible for most investors, but only GDX offers dividends [4] Performance & Risk Comparison - Over the past year, SLV returned 139.15% while GDX returned 137.31% [3] - SLV experienced a maximum drawdown of -37.65% over five years, compared to GDX's -46.52% [5] - An investment of $1,000 would have grown to $3,174 in SLV and $2,852 in GDX over five years [5] Portfolio Composition - GDX focuses on gold mining equities, holding 55 companies, with major positions in Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd., Newmont Corp., and Barrick Mining Corp., which together make up nearly 25% of the portfolio [6] - SLV provides direct exposure to silver prices without holding individual companies, making it a pure commodity play [7] Investment Implications - SLV is linked to the volatility of silver, which is estimated to be three times more volatile than gold, presenting significant risks [8] - GDX, while less volatile than SLV, still carries some market volatility risks, making both ETFs suitable for investors willing to accept such risks [9] - Precious metals typically rise in price during periods of U.S. dollar weakness or international economic instability, making both ETFs attractive options [10]