Dividend comparison
SGOV vs TBIL: Which Is Better for Income?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF and F/m US Treasury 3 Month Bill Fund, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
- Fees. SGOV is cheaper at 0.09% a year versus 0.15% for TBIL. On $10,000 that is $6 a year less in fees.
- Income. Their trailing yields are almost the same: 3.64% for SGOV and 3.63% for TBIL. Both pay monthly.
- Performance. Over the last 3 years, SGOV returned 10.8% versus 10.1% for TBIL, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $11,076 in SGOV and $11,014 in TBIL.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 3 years were similar: -0.6% for SGOV and -0.6% for TBIL from peak to trough.
- Diversification. SGOV holds 24 positions and TBIL holds 5.
- Dividend growth. SGOV grew its yearly payout 238.5% a year over the last 2 years, versus -9.8% for TBIL.
- Size. SGOV is the larger fund with $116.3 billion in assets, against $7.6 billion for TBIL.
Bottom line: SGOV has the edge on these figures, with lower fees, faster dividend growth and broader diversification. TBIL does not lead on any of the measures compared here.
| Metric | SGOV iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | TBIL F/m US Treasury 3 Month Bill Fund |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 3.64% | 3.63% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $3.67 | $1.81 |
| Payout frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Last dividend | $0.3005 on Oct 6, 2026 | $0.1566 on Sep 29, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Oct 1, 2026 | Sep 28, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 238.5% over 4 yrs | -9.8% over 2 yrs |
| Price | $100.61 | $49.95 |
| Beta | 0.00 | -0.00 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -0.6% | -0.6% |
| Market cap | $96.06B | $7.62B |
| Exchange | NYSE | NASDAQ |
| Expense ratio | 0.09% | 0.15% |
| Assets under management | $116.27B | $7.62B |
| Number of holdings | 24 | 5 |
SGOV
$30.36/mo
$364 /yr at 3.64% yield
TBIL
$30.28/mo
$363 /yr at 3.63% yield
| Year | SGOV | TBIL |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4.1157 | $2.0277 |
| 2024 | $5.1151 | $2.5054 |
| 2023 | $4.8826 | $2.4938 |
| 2022 | $1.4546 | — |
| 2021 | $0.0313 | — |
There is no growth here by design, and purchasing power erodes whenever the after-tax yield sits below inflation.
What SGOV vs TBIL actually do
It tracks an ICE index of 0 to 3 month Treasury securities, so the entire portfolio rolls over every quarter and its yield tracks short-term rates with a short lag rather than being locked in. Interest accrues into the share price through the month and is paid out monthly, which is why the price ratchets up and then drops back by the distribution amount instead of trending. Because the holdings are direct Treasury obligations, the income is generally exempt from state and local tax.
Suits an emergency fund, a savings goal with a near-term date, or the cash sleeve of a portfolio waiting to be deployed. It is not an investment in any growth sense, and it will lose purchasing power to inflation whenever short rates sit below it.
Capital preservation
| Period | SGOV | TBIL |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| 3 months | 0.03% | -0.02% |
| Year to date | 0.23% | 0.14% |
| 1 year | 0.69% | 0.32% |
| 3 years | 10.76% | 10.14% |
| 5 years | 17.07% | — |
- SGOV
- TBIL
Both series indexed to 100 on 2022-08-09 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
- SGOV
- TBIL
Quick verdict
SGOV has the edge on these figures, with lower fees, faster dividend growth and broader diversification. TBIL does not lead on any of the measures compared here. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Frequently asked questions
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For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.