Dividend comparison

VBIL vs SPAXX: Which Is Better for Income?

Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF and Fidelity Government Money Market Fund, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.

Start freeOpen interactive compareSee pricing
VBIL vs SPAXX: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
  • Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -0.6% for VBIL and 0.0% for SPAXX from peak to trough.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
MetricVBIL
Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF
SPAXX
Fidelity Government Money Market Fund
Dividend yield (TTM)3.50%—
Dividend / share (TTM)$2.65—
Payout frequencyMonthly—
Last dividend$0.2177 on Oct 5, 2026—
Ex-dividend dateOct 1, 2026—
Price$75.66$1.00
Beta-0.010.00
Max drawdown (5Y)-0.6%0.0%
Market cap$9.41B—
ExchangeNASDAQNASDAQ
Expense ratio0.06%—
Assets under management$12.80B—
Number of holdings27—
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.

VBIL

$29.17/mo

$350 /yr at 3.50% yield

SPAXX

—/mo

Yield data unavailable

Strategy: Cash equivalent
Funds holding short-dated US government paper, where the objective is that the principal is there when you need it. Yield follows short-term interest rates with a short lag rather than being locked in, so income falls when the central bank cuts and rises when it hikes. Because the underlying holdings are nearly identical across providers, the expense ratio comes almost directly out of what you receive.

There is no growth here by design, and purchasing power erodes whenever the after-tax yield sits below inflation.

Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Jun 22, 2026 would now be worth $10,004 in VBIL and $10,000 in SPAXX.
PeriodVBILSPAXX
1 month0.03%0.00%
3 months0.05%0.00%
Year to date0.30%—
1 year0.80%—
3 years——
5 years——
  • VBIL
  • SPAXX
1001001002026100100

Both series indexed to 100 on 2026-06-22 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Sector allocation
Weight of each sector within the fund. Sectors are aligned on the same row so the two funds can be read against each other directly.
  • VBIL
  • SPAXX
0%25%50%75%100%Cash & Others100.0%Financial Services100.0%

Quick verdict

Compare the metrics above, then add both tickers to a Dividend Wealth portfolio to see combined income forecasts and diversification impact.

Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how VBIL vs SPAXX fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Start freeInteractive DRIP compare

Frequently asked questions

Is VBIL or SPAXX better for dividend income?
Compare yield, payout sustainability, and how each fund or stock fits your income goals. Use Dividend Wealth to model both holdings inside a real portfolio forecast.
What is the difference between VBIL and SPAXX?
Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF (VBIL) is an ETF listed on NASDAQ. Fidelity Government Money Market Fund (SPAXX) is an ETF listed on NASDAQ. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is riskier, VBIL or SPAXX?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, VBIL has been riskier: VBIL fell as much as 0.6% and SPAXX as much as 0.0%. Their betas are -0.01 and 0.00.
Can I hold both VBIL and SPAXX?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare VBIL vs SPAXX with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how VBIL and SPAXX fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.

Related comparisons

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.