Dividend comparison
SGOV vs USFR: Which Is Better for Income?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF and WisdomTree Floating Rate Treasury Fund, side by side. Updated October 24, 2026.
- Fees. SGOV is cheaper at 0.09% a year versus 0.15% for USFR. On $10,000 that is $6 a year less in fees.
- Income. Their trailing yields are almost the same: 3.64% for SGOV and 3.72% for USFR. Both pay monthly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, USFR returned 20.4% versus 17.1% for SGOV, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $12,040 in USFR and $11,711 in SGOV.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -0.6% for SGOV and -0.4% for USFR from peak to trough.
- Diversification. SGOV holds 24 positions and USFR holds 6.
- Dividend growth. USFR grew its yearly payout 318.5% a year over the last 4 years, versus 238.5% for SGOV.
- Size. SGOV is the larger fund with $116.7 billion in assets, against $21.2 billion for USFR.
Bottom line: SGOV fits better if you care most about lower fees and broader diversification. USFR fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth.
| Metric | SGOV iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | USFR WisdomTree Floating Rate Treasury Fund |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 3.64% | 3.72% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $3.67 | $1.88 |
| Payout frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Last dividend | $0.3005 on Oct 6, 2026 | $0.1582 on Sep 29, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Oct 1, 2026 | Sep 25, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 238.5% over 4 yrs | 318.5% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $100.66 | $50.52 |
| Beta | 0.00 | -0.02 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -0.6% | -0.4% |
| Market cap | $96.06B | $17.79B |
| Exchange | NYSE | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.09% | 0.15% |
| Assets under management | $116.67B | $21.25B |
| Number of holdings | 24 | 6 |
SGOV
$30.35/mo
$364 /yr at 3.64% yield
USFR
$30.99/mo
$372 /yr at 3.72% yield
| Year | SGOV | USFR |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4.1157 | $2.0860 |
| 2024 | $5.1151 | $2.5996 |
| 2023 | $4.8826 | $2.5718 |
| 2022 | $1.4546 | $0.8956 |
| 2021 | $0.0313 | $0.0068 |
There is no growth here by design, and purchasing power erodes whenever the after-tax yield sits below inflation.
What SGOV vs USFR 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
Treasury FRNs are two-year securities whose coupon resets weekly against the 13-week Treasury bill auction, so the fund's income adjusts to rate changes through the coupon itself instead of by rolling into new bills. In practice that makes it respond to a rate move slightly faster than a bill ladder does. The trade-off is a smaller, less liquid corner of the Treasury market and a modest amount of price movement that a portfolio of near-maturity bills does not have.
Suits a cash holder who wants income that resets quickly and is comfortable with a less mainstream instrument. Offers no advantage over a plain bill fund once short rates stop moving, and it is not a place to seek return.
Capital preservation
| Period | SGOV | USFR |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 0.04% | 0.36% |
| 3 months | 0.05% | 1.06% |
| Year to date | 0.28% | 3.21% |
| 1 year | 0.70% | 4.08% |
| 3 years | 10.79% | 13.32% |
| 5 years | 17.11% | 20.40% |
- SGOV
- USFR
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-23 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
- SGOV
- USFR
Quick verdict
SGOV fits better if you care most about lower fees and broader diversification. USFR fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth. 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.