Our Disclosure

The content on this website includes links to our partners and we may receive compensation when you sign up, at no cost to you. This may impact which products or services we write about and where and how they appear on the site. It does not affect the objectivity of our evaluations or reviews. Read our disclosure.

Best Silver ETFs in Canada for March 2024

Updated:

Fact Checked

Silver ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds) are useful for gaining exposure to the price of silver while also enjoying diversification benefits.

Like Gold ETFs, silver ETFs may perform better than the general stock market during turbulent market conditions or periods when inflation gets out of hand.

Investing solely in commodities, either directly or using ETFs, is not a sound investment strategy, as these assets often go through prolonged periods of poor or negative returns.

At best, silver and other commodity ETFs should comprise only a small portion of your overall portfolio.

Below, I cover the best silver ETFs in Canada in 2024 and how to buy them using a discount brokerage account.

What are Silver ETFs?

A silver ETF refers to an exchange-traded fund that holds physical silver bullion or that invests in the stocks of silver miners.

Some Silver ETFs also provide exposure to the price of silver by using derivatives.

The benefits of owning a silver ETF vs. the actual precious metal include:

  • Silver ETFs are liquid, meaning buying and selling is easier than physical silver bullion.
  • Silver ETFs that hold multiple silver mining stocks offer some diversification.
  • Transaction and storage costs of physical silver are higher.

Buy ETFs with Questrade and pay $0 trading commissions. You also get a $50 free trade credit here.

best silver etfs canada

Best Silver ETFs in Canada

Here are the top silver ETFs available in Canada. Many of them are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE Arca) and are denominated in U.S. dollars.

1. Sprott Physical Silver Trust

  • Ticker symbol: PSLV
  • MER: 0.58%
  • Investment: Physical silver
  • AUM: $3.98 billion
  • 1-Year performance: +20.27%
  • Inception date: October 27, 2010

Sprott Physical Silver Trust is one of the few physical silver ETFs you can buy in Canada that’s also available in Canadian dollars on the TSX.

It offers investors exposure to the price of silver, with The Royal Canadian Mint serving as its bullion custodian.

You can redeem your units for the physical bullion if you have at least ten 1000oz silver bars.

2. Global X Silver Miners ETF

  • Ticker symbol: SIL
  • MER: 0.65%
  • Investment: Silver miners
  • AUM: $877 million
  • 1-year performance: 0.34%
  • Inception date: April 19, 2010

Global X Silver Miners ETF exposes investors to 36 different silver mining companies, including Canadian miners like Wheaton Precious Metals (24.22%) and Pan American Silver (14.17%).

From a geographical allocation perspective, 65.8% of net assets are in Canada, 11.7% in the United States, and the rest is divided between Britain, Peru, Mexico, South Korea, and Australia. 

SIL aims to replicate the performance of the Soloactive Global Silver Miners Total Return Index, net of fees, and expenses.

Related: Best Canadian Dividend Stocks.

3.  iShares Silver Trust

  • Ticker symbol: SLV
  • MER: 0.50%
  • Investment: Physical silver
  • AUM: $10.26 billion
  • 1-Year performance: +9.52%
  • Inception date: April 21, 2006

The iShares Silver Trust is not your typical ETF, even if it appears packaged like one.

It offers exposure to the price of silver bullion and tracks the LBMA Silver Price Index.

SLV is listed on NYSE Arca in USD.

4. ProShares Ultra Silver ETF

  • Ticker symbol:  AGQ
  • MER: 0.95%
  • Investment: Silver Futures Contracts
  • AUM: $356 million
  • Inception date: December 1, 2008
  • 1-year performance: +29.60%

AGQ is a silver ETF from ProShares that trades on the NYSEARCA exchange in the United States. 

This fund is a 2X leveraged ETF. It will provide two times the gains or losses depending on the performance of the price of silver futures contracts for that session. 

It has a high MER of 0.95%, but its long-term capital appreciation can be magnified compared to the actual performance of silver.

5. Horizons Silver ETF

  • Ticker symbol: HUZ
  • MER: 0.78%
  • Investment: Silver futures
  • AUM: $23.8 million
  • 1-year performance: +21.05%
  • Inception date: June 24, 2009

Horizons Silver ETF is the second TSX-listed ETF on my list of the best Canadian Silver ETFs.

It aims to replicate the performance of the Soloactive Silver Front Month MD Rolling Futures Index ER and is denominated in Canadian dollars.

HUZ invests in silver futures contracts and has a 0.78% management fee.

In addition to HUZ, Horizons also offers leveraged silver ETFs, including:

  • BetaPro Silver 2x Daily Bull ETF (HZU), and
  • BetaPro Silver -2x Daily Bear ETF (HZD)

6. iShares Silver Bullion ETF

  • Ticker symbol: SVR
  • MER: 0.66%
  • Investment: Silver bullion
  • AUM: $72.5 million
  • 1-year performance: +19.59%
  • Inception date: July 15, 2009

The iShares Silver Bullion is offered unhedged in Canadian dollars (SVR.C) and hedged (SVR).

It provides exposure to the price of silver bullion, less expenses.

The fund utilizes CIBC Mellon Trust Company as custodian for its silver bullion holdings.

How To Buy Silver ETFs in Canada

Want to invest in Silver using an ETF? My top choices to save on brokerage fees and commissions are Wealthsimple Trade and Questrade.

Questrade

This independent brokerage platform offers free Silver ETF purchases and low trading commissions ($4.95 minimum) when you sell.

You can also use Questrade for stocks, currencies, precious metals, bonds, and more.

Get $50 in trading fee rebate when you fund your new account with at least $1,000. Read my Questrade review.

Wealthsimple Trade

This no-commission broker allows you to buy commodity ETFs (e.g. silver and gold) without paying a commission. For the Silver ETFs denominated in US dollars, standard currency exchange fees apply.

You can also use Wealthsimple Trade to buy and sell dividend stocks for free. Open a free Wealthsimple Trade account and get a $25 bonus.

Read my detailed review of Wealthsimple Trade.

CIBC Investor’s Edge

If you prefer to do all your banking and investing with a big bank, CIBC Investor’s Edge offers some of the lowest trading fees of the five largest banks in Canada.

Here’s a CIBC Investor’s Edge review for more details.

Related:

DIY Investing Course for Beginners: Grow Your Wealth Like a Pro

Want to become a do-it-yourself investor, save on investment fees, grow your wealth, and reach financial independence? Enroll in this online investing course to learn the exact steps you need to take to get started. Time to make your money work for you!

Investing Course for Beginners Featured Image

Step-by-step video instructions on how to trade stocks and ETFs on multiple brokerage platforms

30+ on-demand videos and presentations covering must-know investment concepts

Guides, workbooks, and reference material (20,000+ words)

Learn to assess your risk profile, develop an investment strategy, and build a diversified portfolio

Confidence to navigate the financial markets and stay on track under all financial conditions

24/7 access to all course material and future updates

Exclusive bonuses and access to live webinars

And lots more…

ENROLL NOW

Editorial Disclaimer: The investing information provided here is for informational purposes only and is not intended as individual investment advice or recommendation to invest in any specific security or investment product. Investors should always conduct their own independent research before making investment decisions or executing investment strategies. Savvy New Canadians does not offer advisory or brokerage services. Note that past investment performance does not guarantee future returns.

Top Investment Offers This month

Grow your portfolio and get $50 in FREE trades or invest $10,000 FREE

Best discount stock trading platform in Canada.

Invest yourself or get access to professionally managed portfolios.

Zero trading commissions for ETF purchases (save up to $10 per transaction).

Low fees for buying stocks starting as low as $4.95 per transaction.

Overall best crypto exchange in Canada with a $50 bonus

Get a $50 instant bonus when your initial deposit is at least $250.

Top Canadian crypto exchange with advanced trading tools & multiple fiats.

Buy and sell the most popular cryptocurrencies and earn interest on assets.

Pay some of the lowest trading fees in Canada.

Join a top stock trading platform in Canada and get a $50 bonus

Top discount trading platform in Canada for beginners and seasoned investors.

Get up to a $150 welcome bonus when you fund your account.

Trade thousands of stocks and ETFs and up to 105 commission-free.

Transfer fees are waived up to $150 when you transfer assets from other banks.

Author

Gravatar for Enoch Omololu, MSc (Econ)
Enoch Omololu, MSc (Econ)

Enoch Omololu, personal finance expert, author, and founder of Savvy New Canadians, has written about money matters for over 10 years. Enoch has an MSc (Econ) degree in Finance and Investment Management from the University of Aberdeen Business School and has completed the Canadian Securities Course. His expertise has been highlighted in major publications like Forbes, Globe and Mail, Business Insider, CBC News, Toronto Star, Financial Post, CTV News, TD Direct Investing, Canadian Securities Exchange, and many others. Enoch is passionate about helping others win with their finances and recently created a practical investing course for beginners. You can read his full author bio.

About Savvy New Canadians

Savvy New Canadians is one of Canada's top personal finance platforms. Millions of Canadians use our site each year to learn how to save for retirement, invest smartly, maximize rewards, and earn extra cash. We have been featured in prominent finance media, including Forbes, Globe and Mail, Business Insider, CBC, MSN, Wealthsimple, and TD Direct Investing. Learn more about Savvy New Canadians.

Free financial education

Expert advice

Free resources

Detailed guides

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

ULTIMATE DIY INVESTING COURSE
Want to become a do-it-yourself investor, grow your wealth, cut investment fees, and reach financial independence? Enroll in this top-rated online investing course to learn the exact steps you need to take to get started, and get a 50% discount today!*
*The 50% discount is a limited-time offer.
ULTIMATE DIY INVESTING COURSE

Want to become a DIY investor, grow your wealth, cut investment fees, and reach financial independence? Enroll in this top-rated online investing course to learn the exact steps you need to take and get a 50% discount today!*

*The 50% discount is a limited-time offer.
Success!
Thank you for joining the waitlist for our investing course! Check your email for the confirmation message.
Success!
Thank you for joining the waitlist for our investing course! Check your email for the confirmation message.