BILS vs SHV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, BILS yields more: 3.67% (current yield) against 3.63% for SHV. BILS is cheaper to own at 0.14% a year vs 0.15%. Over the same 6 years (Sep 2020 to Oct 2026), SHV returned 3.0% a year with distributions reinvested, and BILS 3.0%.
SHViShares 0–1 Year Treasury Bond ETF3.63%current yield| Compared | BILS | SHV |
|---|---|---|
| YieldCurrent yield | 3.67% | 3.63% |
| Expense ratio | 0.14% | 0.15% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +3.7% | +3.6% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +4.5% | +4.4% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +3.6% | +3.6% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | — | +2.4% |
| Worst drop since Sep 2020 | -0.3% | -0.3% |
| Share price since Sep 2020 | −1% | −0% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | State Street Investment Management | iShares |
| Assets | $4.0B | $21.4B |
| Started | 2020 | 2007 |
| Type | Treasury ETF | Treasury ETF |
Higher yield
BILS
3.67%
Lower cost
BILS
0.14%
Better total return
SHV
3.0%/yr
Smaller worst drop
BILS
-0.3%
Key facts: BILS vs SHV
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, BILS yields 3.67% (current yield) and SHV yields 3.63% (current yield).
- BILS's expense ratio is 0.14% and SHV's is 0.15%: $14 vs $15 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 SHV to $11,948 (3.0% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -0.3% for BILS and -0.3% for SHV.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "BILS vs SHV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/bils-vs-shv
$10,000 in each, Sep 2020 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values.
BILS became
$11,938
3.0% a year
SHV became
$11,948
3.0% a year
Year by year
| Year | BILS | SHV |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +4.2% | +4.2% |
| 2024 | +5.2% | +5.1% |
| 2023 | +4.9% | +5.0% |
| 2022 | +0.9% | +0.9% |
| 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).
- SHV · 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 →
BILS vs SHV: questions
Is BILS or SHV better?
It depends on the job. BILS pays more today (3.67% vs 3.63%), BILS costs less, and SHV 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 SHV?
BILS, at 3.67% against 3.63% for SHV as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $367 vs $363 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
SHV. From Sep 2020 to Oct 2026, it returned 3.0% a year with distributions reinvested, against 3.0% for BILS. $10,000 became $11,948 vs $11,938.
Which is cheaper, BILS or SHV?
BILS, with a 0.14% expense ratio against 0.15%.
How are BILS and SHV taxed?
BILS: Holds U.S. Treasury securities, so its income is generally exempt from state and local income tax (federal tax still applies). SHV: 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. BILS leads on 5 of 6 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.