US-listed · NYSE Arca · FIF-eligible (above NZ$50K)
State Street SIVR Aberdeen Standard Physical Silver Shares ETF
Physical silver bullion exposure — backed by allocated silver bars held in vaulted storage.
Updated Reviewed quarterly
About this fund
What is SIVR?
SIVR is the US-listed ticker for Aberdeen Standard Physical Silver Shares ETF, issued by State Street. Physical silver bullion exposure — backed by allocated silver bars held in vaulted storage. TER is 0.30% per year.
How to buy
Where can I buy SIVR from New Zealand?
Hatch NZ-built. US$3 flat per trade, ~0.5% FX.
Stake Commission-free US shares; ~0.7% FX.
Sharesies NZ + AU + US in one account; tiered subscription pricing.
Interactive Brokers Tiered commissions; FX margin ~0.002% (lowest published of platforms reviewed).
See the full platform comparison for fees, minimums, and supported markets across all 11 NZ-accessible brokers.
NZ tax
How is SIVR taxed for NZ investors?
SIVR is US-listed, so it sits in the Foreign Investment Fund (FIF) regime once your overseas-share holdings exceed NZ$50,000 cost basis. Below that threshold, the FIF regime does not apply and you pay tax on dividends only.
Above NZ$50K cost basis, most NZ retail investors use the Fair Dividend Rate (FDR) method — deemed income = 5% × opening market value × your marginal tax rate. FDR vs CV method →
Tax outcomes depend on your portfolio size, marginal rate, and FDR-vs-CV election. See PIE vs FIF for the full comparison and consult a registered NZ tax adviser for personalised guidance.
FAQ
Common questions about SIVR
What is the SIVR ETF? ⌄
SIVR is the Aberdeen Standard Physical Silver Shares ETF — it holds physical silver bullion in vaulted storage (London + Zurich). One share represents a fractional ounce of silver. TER is 0.30%. No distributions are paid because silver doesn't generate income.
SIVR vs SLV — what's the difference? ⌄
Both hold physical silver. SIVR (Aberdeen) charges 0.30% TER vs SLV (iShares) at 0.50% — at long horizons the lower TER compounds meaningfully. Both are auditable; both have allocated bullion. SLV has higher liquidity and tighter spreads. For buy-and-hold NZ investors, SIVR usually wins on cost.
Can NZ residents buy SIVR? ⌄
Yes. SIVR is available via Hatch, Stake, Sharesies (US market), and Interactive Brokers. As a commodity ETF with no distributions, the only NZ tax consideration is FIF (above NZ$50,000 cost basis): use the FDR method (5% × opening market value × marginal rate) — no dividend withholding to worry about.
Is silver a good portfolio diversifier? ⌄
Silver historically has lower correlation to equities than gold and higher industrial demand (electronics, solar panels). It is also more volatile — silver routinely moves 1.5-2× gold's daily move. Investors hold it for inflation/monetary hedging or industrial-cycle exposure. Suitable allocation depends on individual risk tolerance and broader portfolio construction.