silver spot direction verdict SLVP outperforms physical silver · IAU tracks linearly
fixed cash cost (labor, energy, consumables) revenue (scales with silver) FCF gap (leverage) gold bullion (IAU 1:1)
Metal-vs-miners operating leverage: SLVP amplifies silver moves while IAU tracks spot gold SLVP — silver mine cash cost curve silver spot shaft silver ore vein drift + loader cash cost fixed · labor · energy revenue scales w/ silver FCF gap +10% silver → +30% FCF IAU — physical gold vault vault spot gold 1:1 no management no operating cost no jurisdiction IAU ≈ spot gold SLVP outcome FCF expands disproportionately SLVP outperforms physical silver IAU outcome tracks spot gold linearly defensive exposure, no operating layer miner risks on top of leverage Mexico · Peru · Canada permitting · dilution · balance sheet vault risk: no cash flow, no dividend rising real yields → opportunity cost ↑ FCF waterfall