BILS vs JPST: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, JPST yields more: 4.13% (current yield) against 3.67% for BILS. BILS is cheaper to own at 0.14% a year vs 0.18%. Over the same 6 years (Sep 2020 to Oct 2026), JPST returned 3.3% a year with distributions reinvested, and BILS 3.0%. BILS's income is generally exempt from state income tax; JPST's is mostly taxable by states.
| Compared | BILS | JPST |
|---|---|---|
| YieldCurrent yield | 3.67% | 4.13% |
| Expense ratio | 0.14% | 0.18% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +3.7% | +3.5% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +4.5% | +4.9% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +3.6% | +3.9% |
| Worst drop since Sep 2020 | -0.3% | -0.7% |
| Share price since Sep 2020 | −1% | −1% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | State Street Investment Management | JPMorgan |
| Assets | $4.0B | $42.5B |
| Started | 2020 | 2017 |
| Type | Treasury ETF | Ultra-short bond ETF |
Higher yield
JPST
4.13%
Lower cost
BILS
0.14%
Better total return
JPST
3.3%/yr
Smaller worst drop
BILS
-0.3%
Key facts: BILS vs JPST
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, BILS yields 3.67% (current yield) and JPST yields 4.13% (current yield).
- BILS's expense ratio is 0.14% and JPST's is 0.18%: $14 vs $18 a year on $10,000.
- From Sep 2020 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in BILS grew to $11,938 (3.0% a year) and $10,000 in JPST to $12,164 (3.3% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -0.3% for BILS and -0.7% for JPST.
- BILS's income is generally exempt from state income tax, while JPST's is mostly taxable by states.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "BILS vs JPST: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/bils-vs-jpst
$10,000 in each, Sep 2020 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values.
BILS became
$11,938
3.0% a year
JPST became
$12,164
3.3% a year
Year by year
| Year | BILS | JPST |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +4.2% | +5.0% |
| 2024 | +5.2% | +5.6% |
| 2023 | +4.9% | +5.1% |
| 2022 | +0.9% | +1.1% |
| 2021 | −0.1% | +0.1% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
What each holds and how it's taxed
- BILS · Treasury ETF
- Holds U.S. Treasury securities, so its income is generally exempt from state and local income tax (federal tax still applies).
- JPST · Ultra-short bond ETF
- Holds short-term bonds, which can include corporate or asset-backed debt, for a little more yield than T-bills and a little more price movement.
General information, not tax advice. Every cash fund by yield →
Top holdings
No overlap in the top ten.
BILS
- Holdings not reported.
JPST
- MGMXX JPMorgan US Government MMkt IM2.9%
BILS vs JPST: questions
Is BILS or JPST better?
It depends on the job. JPST pays more today (4.13% vs 3.67%), BILS costs less, and JPST has the better total return over Sep 2020 to Oct 2026, with BILS 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, BILS or JPST?
JPST, at 4.13% against 3.67% for BILS as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $413 vs $367 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
JPST. From Sep 2020 to Oct 2026, it returned 3.3% a year with distributions reinvested, against 3.0% for BILS. $10,000 became $12,164 vs $11,938.
Which is cheaper, BILS or JPST?
BILS, with a 0.14% expense ratio against 0.18%.
How are BILS and JPST taxed?
BILS: Holds U.S. Treasury securities, so its income is generally exempt from state and local income tax (federal tax still applies). JPST: Holds short-term bonds, which can include corporate or asset-backed debt, for a little more yield than T-bills and a little more price movement. General information, not tax advice.
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.