Dividend comparison
USFR vs BOXX: Which Is Better for Income?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for WisdomTree Floating Rate Treasury Fund and Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
- Fees. USFR is cheaper at 0.15% a year versus 0.24% for BOXX. On $10,000 that is $9 a year less in fees.
- Performance. Over the last 3 years, BOXX returned 14.5% versus 13.3% for USFR, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $11,446 in BOXX and $11,330 in USFR.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 3 years were similar: -0.4% for USFR and -0.1% for BOXX from peak to trough.
- Diversification. BOXX holds 18 positions and USFR holds 6.
Bottom line: USFR fits better if you care most about lower fees. BOXX fits better if you care most about broader diversification.
| Metric | USFR WisdomTree Floating Rate Treasury Fund | BOXX Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 3.72% | — |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $1.88 | — |
| Payout frequency | Monthly | — |
| Last dividend | $0.1582 on Sep 29, 2026 | $0.2906 on Aug 14, 2024 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 25, 2026 | Aug 13, 2024 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 318.5% over 4 yrs | — |
| Price | $50.50 | $118.68 |
| Beta | -0.02 | -0.00 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -0.4% | -0.1% |
| Market cap | $17.79B | $14.26B |
| Exchange | AMEX | CBOE |
| Expense ratio | 0.15% | 0.24% |
| Assets under management | $21.25B | $14.30B |
| Number of holdings | 6 | 18 |
USFR
$31.00/mo
$372 /yr at 3.72% yield
BOXX
—/mo
Yield data unavailable
| Year | USFR | BOXX |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2.0860 | — |
| 2024 | $2.5996 | — |
| 2023 | $2.5718 | — |
| 2022 | $0.8956 | — |
| 2021 | $0.0068 | — |
There is no growth here by design, and purchasing power erodes whenever the after-tax yield sits below inflation.
What USFR vs BOXX actually do
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 | USFR | BOXX |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 0.34% | 0.37% |
| 3 months | 1.02% | 1.01% |
| Year to date | 3.17% | 3.11% |
| 1 year | 4.04% | 4.02% |
| 3 years | 13.30% | 14.46% |
| 5 years | 20.38% | — |
- USFR
- BOXX
Both series indexed to 100 on 2022-12-28 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
- USFR
- BOXX
Quick verdict
USFR fits better if you care most about lower fees. BOXX fits better if you care most about broader diversification. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Frequently asked questions
Is USFR or BOXX better for dividend income?
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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.