We recently pointed out the pummeling that Silver prices have taken year to date but the seeming staying power of holders of the fund, as SLV (iShares Silver, Expense Ratio 0.50%) has actually net gained assets under management thus far in 2013 (+$77 million).
For investors that may find current levels appealing from a valuation standpoint and that are not looking to bet on one single precious metal amid the sweeping weakness since April that has affected Gold, Silver, and other metals alike, there exist a handful of broad based Precious Metals funds, none of which are exactly household names.
DBP (PowerShares DB Precious Metals, Expense Ratio 0.79%) is the largest in the category, with $255 million in assets under management while averaging only about 45,000 shares traded on an average daily basis.
The fund offers exposure to both Gold and Silver via investing in futures contracts based on both underlying metals. GLTR (ETFS Physical Precious Metal Basket Shares, Expense Ratio 0.60%) is a newer entrant to the space, and grants exposure to not just gold and silver, but also palladium and platinum.
Other lesser known products here include JJP (iPath DJ-UBS Precious Metals Total Return ETN, Expense Ratio 0.75%), BLNG (iPath Pure Beta Precious Metals, Expense Ratio 0.75%), and RGRP (Rogers Enhanced Precious Metals ETN, Expense Ratio 0.95%).