The Global X - Silver Miners ETF (NYSEMKT:SIL) and the Sprott Gold Miners ETF (NYSEMKT:SGDM) offer concentrated exposure to mining companies, but their underlying focus diverges: SIL zeroes in on silver miners globally, while SGDM tracks gold producers primarily in the U.S. and Canada. The two ETFs differ most in metal exposure, recent performance, and fund size, with SIL leading in recent returns and assets under management (AUM), while SGDM offers a lower expense ratio and milder historical drawdowns. T ...

Group 1 - Alluvial Gold Research provides detailed research on undervalued miners with potential catalysts for portfolio outperformance [1] - The focus is on precious metals developers, producers, and royalty/streaming companies [1] - The investing group offers portfolios with entry/exit points, buy/sell alerts, and proprietary sentiment indicators for gold and silver miners [1] Group 2 - The analyst holds a beneficial long position in shares of several companies, including AEM, FNV, and ABX:CA [2] - The article reflects the analyst's personal opinions and is not compensated beyond contributions to Seeking Alpha [2] Group 3 - The writing is for informational purposes and does not constitute financial or investment advice [3] - Position sizing is emphasized as critical in the volatile precious metals sector, recommending that small-cap stocks should be limited to 5% or less of one's portfolio [3]

Core Insights - Gold stocks have experienced a nearly 20% pullback since the VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) reached an all-time high of $113.50 on January 29 [1] Group 1: Market Performance - Precious metals equities have become less volatile compared to gold itself [1]

Core Insights - The Global X - Silver Miners ETF (SIL) and abrdn Physical Platinum Shares ETF (PPLT) provide different investment approaches in precious metals, with SIL focusing on silver mining companies and PPLT offering direct exposure to physical platinum [1][2] Cost & Size Comparison - SIL has an expense ratio of 0.65% and assets under management (AUM) of $5.05 billion, while PPLT has a lower expense ratio of 0.60% and AUM of $286 billion [3] - The one-year return for SIL is 170.2%, compared to PPLT's 136% [3] - SIL has a beta of 0.90, indicating higher volatility compared to PPLT's beta of 0.35 [3] Performance & Risk Comparison - Over the past five years, SIL experienced a maximum drawdown of -56.79%, while PPLT had a lower maximum drawdown of -35.73% [4] - An investment of $1,000 in SIL would have grown to $2,702 over five years, compared to $2,360 for PPLT [4] Investment Structure - PPLT is a physically backed ETF that tracks the price of platinum bullion, providing exposure without the operational risks associated with mining companies [5] - SIL invests in 39 global mining stocks, including major positions in Wheaton Precious Metals Corp, Pan American Silver Corp, and Coeur Mining, which introduces company-specific risks [7][11] Market Context - Platinum is scarcer than gold or silver and has significant industrial uses, particularly in the automotive industry, while silver has demand in technology and green energy markets [9][10] - Both ETFs have outperformed the S&P 500 on a total return basis over the last year, making them viable options for investors looking to hedge against inflation or diversify their portfolios [12]

Core Insights - The precious metals rally that began in 2024 has continued into 2026, with gold gaining over 70% and silver gaining over 194% in the past year [2][5] - Global catalysts for gold's rise include geopolitical conflicts, increased central bank and institutional buying, and concerns over monetary policy and fiscal debts [2] - Silver's price surge is attributed to a multi-year supply deficit and strong industrial demand across various applications [3] Gold Market Analysis - In December 2025, gold set 53 record prices, with annual inflows into physically backed gold ETFs reaching $89 billion, the highest on record [4] - The World Gold Council reported that global gold ETFs' assets under management doubled to an all-time high of $559 billion in 2025 [4] Silver Market Analysis - Inflows into silver ETFs in the first half of last year surpassed the total for 2024, indicating strong investor interest [4] - The demand for silver is driven by its industrial applications, including solar panels and aerospace systems [3] Investment Opportunities - ETFs such as GLTR and GBUG, which provide exposure to both gold and silver, have posted one-year gains of 108% and 138%, respectively [5] - Investors are encouraged to consider ETFs that hold both metals to capitalize on the ongoing precious metals rally [3][5]

Core Viewpoint - The comparison between the Abrdn Physical Silver Shares ETF (SIVR) and the Abrdn Physical Platinum Shares ETF (PPLT) highlights differences in cost, asset management, risk profiles, and returns for investors considering silver versus platinum investments [1][2]. Cost and Size Comparison - SIVR has a lower expense ratio of 0.30% compared to PPLT's 0.60%, making it more appealing for long-term investors focused on minimizing fees [4][11]. - As of January 9, 2026, SIVR has a total asset under management (AUM) of $5.43 billion, significantly larger than PPLT's $2.86 billion [3][11]. Performance and Risk Metrics - Over the past year, SIVR has returned 162.9%, outperforming PPLT's 135.6% return [3]. - The maximum drawdown over the past five years for SIVR is -38.61%, while PPLT's is -35.73%, indicating that SIVR has experienced slightly higher volatility [6]. Fund Structure and Holdings - Both SIVR and PPLT are physically backed ETFs, meaning they hold the actual metals (silver and platinum) in secure vaults, providing direct commodity exposure without the complexities of storage and insurance [10][12]. - PPLT is a single-asset ETF focused solely on platinum, while SIVR tracks the price of silver, with both funds lacking sector exposure or notable top holdings [7][8]. Market Dynamics and Demand - Silver benefits from dual demand as both an investment asset and an industrial metal, particularly in solar panels and electronics, contributing to its higher returns [10]. - Platinum's price movements are influenced by supply constraints and automotive demand, making it a more volatile investment option [12].

Group 1 - Taylor Dart is an individual investor with over 16 years of trading experience, focusing on precious metals developers, producers, and royalty/streaming companies [1] - Taylor leads the investing group Alluvial Gold Research, providing portfolios with entry/exit points, Buy/Sell alerts, and proprietary sentiment indicators for gold and silver miners [1] - The article expresses the author's opinions and does not constitute financial or investment advice [3] Group 2 - The author has a beneficial long position in the shares of ORLA, OLA:CA, either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives [2] - The article is written independently and does not involve compensation from any company mentioned [2] - The information provided should not be construed as an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any securities [3]

Core Insights - Precious metals, particularly gold and silver, have experienced significant price increases in 2025, with gold reaching all-time highs in October and silver also breaking records [7][8] - The iShares Silver Trust (SLV) and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) are two prominent ETFs that provide exposure to these metals, each with distinct characteristics in terms of volatility and cost structures [6][10] ETF Characteristics - GLD is entirely backed by physical gold, making it a pure play on gold prices, and has been trading for over 21 years as the first US-listed ETF backed by a physical asset [3][5] - SLV, on the other hand, is focused on silver and is the world's oldest and largest silver ETF, having been established in 2006 [2][5] - Both ETFs are designed to reflect the price performance of their respective metals without introducing sector or geographic tilts [2][3] Market Dynamics - The surge in gold and silver prices in 2025 is attributed to geopolitical tensions, falling interest rates, and increased buying from central banks globally [8] - Demand for gold is primarily driven by central banks and large investors, while silver's demand is influenced by its industrial applications in electronics, solar panels, and electric vehicles [8] Investment Considerations - Both GLD and SLV are considered suitable for different types of investors due to their varying risk profiles and historical returns, with GLD exhibiting lower volatility compared to SLV [5][6] - Investors can choose to invest in physical bullion, stocks related to gold and silver, or ETFs to capitalize on the rising prices of these precious metals [9]

Group 1 - The article discusses the offerings of Alluvial Gold Research, which provides in-depth research on undervalued miners with upcoming catalysts to enhance portfolio performance [1] - Taylor Dart, the leader of Alluvial Gold Research, has over 16 years of trading experience, focusing on precious metals developers, producers, and royalty/streaming companies [1] - Subscribers to Alluvial Gold Research gain access to current portfolios, real-time buy/sell alerts, and proprietary sentiment indicators for gold and silver miners [1] Group 2 - The analyst has a beneficial long position in shares of TFPM, TFPM:CA, AEM, and AEM:CA through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives [2] - The article expresses the author's opinions and does not involve compensation from companies mentioned [2] Group 3 - The writing is for informational purposes and does not constitute financial or investment advice [3] - Position sizing is emphasized as critical in the volatile precious metals sector, recommending that small-cap precious metals stock positions should be limited to 5% or less of one's portfolio [3]

Core Insights - Alluvial Gold Research provides detailed research on undervalued miners with potential catalysts for portfolio outperformance [1] - The focus is on precious metals developers, producers, and royalty/streaming companies, with real-time buy/sell alerts and sentiment indicators offered to subscribers [1] Group 1 - The leader of Alluvial Gold Research, Taylor Dart, has over 16 years of trading experience [1] - Subscribers gain access to current portfolios, entry/exit points, and proprietary sentiment indicators for gold and silver miners [1] Group 2 - The article emphasizes the importance of conducting due diligence and consulting financial professionals before making investment decisions [2][3][4] - It highlights that past performance does not guarantee future results, and no specific investment recommendations are provided [4]