SmarterDividends

BIL vs BILS: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared

As of Nov 5, 2026, BILS yields more: 3.67% (current yield) against 3.66% for BIL. BIL is cheaper to own at 0.14% a year vs 0.14%. Over the same 6 years (Sep 2020 to Oct 2026), BIL returned 3.0% a year with distributions reinvested, and BILS 3.0%.

ComparedBILBILS
YieldCurrent yield3.66%3.67%
Expense ratio0.14%0.14%
Total return, 1 yr+3.7%+3.7%
Total return, 3 yr (a year)+4.4%+4.5%
Total return, 5 yr (a year)+3.7%+3.6%
Total return, 10 yr (a year)+2.3%—
Worst drop since Sep 2020-0.1%-0.3%
Share price since Sep 2020+0%−1%
PaysMonthlyMonthly
IssuerState Street Investment ManagementState Street Investment Management
Assets$48.5B$4.0B
Started20072020
TypeTreasury ETFTreasury ETF

Higher yield

BILS

3.67%

Lower cost

BIL

0.14%

Better total return

BIL

3.0%/yr

Smaller worst drop

BIL

-0.1%

Key facts: BIL vs BILS

Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data

  • As of Nov 5, 2026, BIL yields 3.66% (current yield) and BILS yields 3.67% (current yield).
  • BIL's expense ratio is 0.14% and BILS's is 0.14%: $14 vs $14 a year on $10,000.
  • From Sep 2020 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in BIL grew to $12,000 (3.0% a year) and $10,000 in BILS to $11,938 (3.0% a year), distributions reinvested.
  • Their worst month-end drops over that time: -0.1% for BIL and -0.3% for BILS.
Cite this page

SmarterDividends, "BIL vs BILS: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/bil-vs-bils

$10,000 in each, Sep 2020 to Oct 2026

Distributions reinvested, month-end values.

BIL became

$12,000

3.0% a year

BILS became

$11,938

3.0% a year

Try other dates, monthly additions or more tickers →

Year by year

YearBILBILS
2025+4.1%+4.2%
2024+5.2%+5.2%
2023+4.9%+4.9%
2022+1.4%+0.9%
2021−0.1%−0.1%

Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.

What each holds and how it's taxed

BIL · Treasury ETF
Holds U.S. Treasury securities, so its income is generally exempt from state and local income tax (federal tax still applies).
BILS · Treasury ETF
Holds U.S. Treasury securities, so its income is generally exempt from state and local income tax (federal tax still applies).

General information, not tax advice. Every cash fund by yield →

BIL vs BILS: questions

Is BIL or BILS better?

It depends on the job. BILS pays more today (3.67% vs 3.66%), BIL costs less, and BIL has the better total return over Sep 2020 to Oct 2026, with BIL holding up better in its worst stretch. For cash you may need soon, yield after tax and how easily you can get the money out matter more than past returns.

Which pays a higher dividend, BIL or BILS?

BILS, at 3.67% against 3.66% for BIL as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $367 vs $366 a year at today's rates.

Which has the better total return?

BIL. From Sep 2020 to Oct 2026, it returned 3.0% a year with distributions reinvested, against 3.0% for BILS. $10,000 became $12,000 vs $11,938.

Which is cheaper, BIL or BILS?

BIL, with a 0.14% expense ratio against 0.14%.

How are BIL and BILS taxed?

BIL: Holds U.S. Treasury securities, so its income is generally exempt from state and local income tax (federal tax still applies). BILS: Holds U.S. Treasury securities, so its income is generally exempt from state and local income tax (federal tax still applies). General information, not tax advice.

Related comparisons

Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. BIL leads on 4 of 6 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.