9 Silver ETFs to Consider as of October 2021

Silver is one of the most popular metals, next only to gold. And like element 79, it is considered a safe-haven asset and used as a hedge against inflation. If you are planning to invest in silver, you should consider exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Silver ETFs are generally more liquid than owning the metal itself. It is also more flexible than silver mutual funds because you can trade it as long as the stock market is open.

Here are some silver ETFs to consider as of October 2021. These include physically-backed, mining and leveraged ETFs.

1. iShares Silver Trust (ARCA:SLV)

SLV is a physically-backed ETF that eliminates the contango and backwardation issues often seen in futures. It is ideal for investors seeking a safe-haven investment in times of uncertainty without the hassle and costs associated with holding physical silver.

Total assets:  $12,.29 billion

YTD return: -13.19%

Annual dividend yield:  N/A

Expense ratio: 0.50%

60 Day MA: $21.92

3-month average volume: 23,588,916

Structure: Grantor trust

Index tracked: LBMA Silver Price ($/ozt)

Inception date: Apr 21, 2006

Issuer: Blackrock Financial Management Inc.

2. Aberdeen Standard Physical Silver Shares (ARCA:SIVR)

It is a physically-backed ETF that is nearly identical to SLV. But it charges a slightly lower expense ratio than SLV.

Total assets: $936.7 M

YTD return: -13.11%

Annual dividend yield: N/A

Expense ratio: 0.30%

60 Day MA: $22.82

3-month average volume: 456,597

Structure: Grantor trust

Index tracked: LBMA Silver Price ($/ozt)

Inception date: Jul 24, 2009

Issuer: Abrdn PLC

3. ProShares Ultra Silver ETF (NYSEARCA:AGQ)

This physically-backed ETF is ideal for investors with a bullish short-term outlook because it provides 2x daily long leverage to the metal. And this leverage resets daily. AGQ is not suitable for investors with a buy-and-hold strategy and those with low-risk tolerance.

Total assets: $507.1 M

YTD return: -32.49

Annual dividend yield: N/A

Expense ratio: 0.93%

60 Day MA: $37.08

3-month average volume: 906,700

Structure: Commodity Pool

Index tracked: Bloomberg Silver (-200%)

Inception date: Dec 01, 2008

Issuer: ProShares

4. Invesco DB Silver Fund (NYSEARCA:DBS)

This physically-backed ETF provides exposure through silver futures contracts. It is subject to the risks associated with futures-backed investments such as contango and backwardation. But it is ideal an investment for those seeking futures-based exposure without the hassle of futures trading.

Total assets: $18.9 M

YTD return: -14.31

Annual dividend yield: N/A

Expense ratio: 0.75%

60 Day MA: $32.97

3-month average volume: 3,311

Structure: Commodity pool

Index tracked: DBIQ Optimum Yield Silver Index

Inception date: Jan 05, 2007

Issuer: Invesco

5. Global X Silver Miners ETF (ARCA:SIL)

This silver miner ETF provides exposure to a basket of the larger mining companies. It can help you profit from a surge in silver prices because it often trades as a leveraged play. An added benefit to investing in miners is the dividend payout.

Total assets: $1,025.0 M

YTD return: -16.45%

Annual dividend yield: 2.49%

Expense ratio: 0.65%

60 Day MA: $38.76

3-month average volume: 302,514

Structure: ETF

Index tracked: Stuttgart Solactive AG Global Silver Miners (USD)

Inception date: Apr 19, 2010

Issuer: Mirae Asset Global Investments Co., Ltd.

6. ETFMG Prime Junior Silver ETF (ARCA:SILJ)

Similar to SIL, although this one targets small-capitalization silver miners. It is a good option for investment diversification, like many silver ETF’s are, since it is not correlated to most equity markets. Once again, note the dividend yield.

Total assets: $748.5 M

YTD return: -20.23%

Annual dividend yield: 1.61%

Expense ratio: 0.69%

60 Day MA: $12.98

3-month average volume:  1,113,63

Structure: ETF

Index tracked: Prime Junior Silver Miners & Explorers Index

Inception date: Nov 28, 2012

Issuer: ETMFG

7. iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners ETF (BATS:SLVP)

This mining ETF is similar to SIL. The main difference is the weighting of each company held. As a result, the dividend yield on this ETF is higher than SIL. Like its competitor, SIL, the ETF has large exposure to stocks of Canadian mining companies.

Total assets: $243.2 M

YTD return: -20.98%

Annual dividend yield: 4.15%

Expense ratio: 0.39%

60 Day MA: $13.47

3-month average volume: 156,255

Structure: ETF

Index tracked: MSCI ACWI Select Silver Miners Investable Market Index

Inception date: Jan 31, 2012

Issuer: Blackrock Financial Management Inc.

8. Credit Suisse X-Links Silver Shares Covered Call ETN (SLVO)

SLVO is structured as an ETN. It utilizes a covered-call strategy against SLV to provide an enhanced yield. This product will generally perform well during slow periods where prices trade sideways but is likely to underperform during periods of unexpected volatility.

Total assets: $234.7 M

YTD return: -20.67

Annual dividend yield: N/A

Expense ratio: 0.65%

60 Day MA: $5.41

3-month average volume: 854,114

Structure: ETN

Index tracked: Credit Suisse NASDAQ Silver FLOWS 106 Index

Inception date: Apr 17, 2013

Issuer: Credit Suisse Group AG

9. ProShares UltraShort Silver (ZSL)

ZSL provides -2x leverage short exposure to silver that resets daily. It is recommended for bearish investors with tolerance for risk and volatility, but not for those who cannot monitor their investors regularly. ZSL is also not ideal for a long-term, buy-and-hold strategy.

Total assets:  $39.6 M

YTD return: 3.72%

Annual dividend yield: N/A

Expense ratio: 0.95

60 Day MA: $27.80

3-month average volume: 301,241

Structure: Commodity Pool

Index tracked: Bloomberg Silver (-200%)

Inception date: Dec 03, 2008

Issuer: ProShares