AGG vs BIV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, BIV yields more: 4.08% (dividend yield) against 3.77% for AGG. AGG is cheaper to own at 0.03% a year vs 0.03%. Over the same 18 years (Dec 2007 to Oct 2026), BIV returned 3.4% a year with distributions reinvested, and AGG 2.7%.
AGGiShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF3.77%dividend yield| Compared | AGG | BIV |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 3.77% | 4.08% |
| Expense ratio | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Total return, 1 yr | −0.2% | −0.8% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +5.4% | +5.7% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | −0.2% | +0.1% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +1.4% | +1.7% |
| Worst drop since Dec 2007 | -17.1% | -17.6% |
| Share price since Dec 2007 | −5% | −4% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | iShares | Vanguard |
| Assets | $139.9B | $51.2B |
| Started | 2003 | 2007 |
| Type | Intermediate Core Bond | Intermediate Core Bond |
Higher yield
BIV
4.08%
Lower cost
AGG
0.03%
Better total return
BIV
3.4%/yr
Smaller worst drop
AGG
-17.1%
Key facts: AGG vs BIV
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, AGG yields 3.77% (dividend yield) and BIV yields 4.08% (dividend yield).
- AGG's expense ratio is 0.03% and BIV's is 0.03%: $3 vs $3 a year on $10,000.
- From Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in AGG grew to $16,630 (2.7% a year) and $10,000 in BIV to $18,850 (3.4% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -17.1% for AGG and -17.6% for BIV.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "AGG vs BIV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/agg-vs-biv
$10,000 in each, Dec 2007 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
AGG became
$16,630
2.7% a year
BIV became
$18,850
3.4% a year
Year by year
| Year | AGG | BIV |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +7.2% | +8.5% |
| 2024 | +1.3% | +1.6% |
| 2023 | +5.7% | +6.1% |
| 2022 | −13.0% | −13.2% |
| 2021 | −1.8% | −2.4% |
| 2020 | +7.5% | +9.7% |
| 2019 | +8.4% | +10.3% |
| 2018 | +0.1% | −0.2% |
| 2017 | +3.6% | +3.6% |
| 2016 | +2.4% | +2.3% |
| 2015 | +0.5% | +1.0% |
| 2014 | +6.0% | +6.7% |
| 2013 | −2.0% | −3.6% |
| 2012 | +3.8% | +6.7% |
| 2011 | +7.7% | +11.1% |
| 2010 | +6.4% | +9.1% |
| 2009 | +3.0% | +3.9% |
| 2008 | +7.9% | +7.8% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
No overlap in the top ten.
AGG
- BISXX BlackRock Cash Funds Instl SL Agency2.9%
BIV
- Holdings not reported.
AGG vs BIV: questions
Is AGG or BIV better?
It depends on the job. BIV pays more today (4.08% vs 3.77%), AGG costs less, and BIV has the better total return over Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, with AGG holding up better in its worst stretch. For income, look at yield and whether the payouts hold up; for growth, total return and drawdowns.
Which pays a higher dividend, AGG or BIV?
BIV, at 4.08% against 3.77% for AGG as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $408 vs $377 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
BIV. From Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, it returned 3.4% a year with distributions reinvested, against 2.7% for AGG. $10,000 became $18,850 vs $16,630.
Which is cheaper, AGG or BIV?
AGG, with a 0.03% expense ratio against 0.03%.
Related comparisons
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. BIV leads on 5 of 7 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.