BND vs SGOV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, BND yields more: 3.76% (dividend yield) against 3.64% for SGOV. BND is cheaper to own at 0.03% a year vs 0.09%. Over the same 6 years (May 2020 to Oct 2026), SGOV returned 3.0% a year with distributions reinvested, and BND -0.1%.
BNDVanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund ETF Shares3.76%dividend yield
SGOViShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF3.64%current yield| Compared | BND | SGOV |
|---|---|---|
| YieldBND: dividend yield; SGOV: current yield | 3.76% | 3.64% |
| Expense ratio | 0.03% | 0.09% |
| Total return, 1 yr | −0.1% | +3.7% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +5.4% | +4.5% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | −0.1% | +3.8% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +1.5% | — |
| Worst drop since May 2020 | -17.1% | -0.0% |
| Share price since May 2020 | −19% | +1% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | Vanguard | iShares |
| Assets | $395.2B | $116.8B |
| Started | 2007 | 2020 |
| Type | Intermediate Core Bond | Treasury ETF |
Higher yield
BND
3.76%
Lower cost
BND
0.03%
Better total return
SGOV
3.0%/yr
Smaller worst drop
SGOV
-0.0%
Key facts: BND vs SGOV
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, BND yields 3.76% (dividend yield) and SGOV yields 3.64% (current yield).
- BND's expense ratio is 0.03% and SGOV's is 0.09%: $3 vs $9 a year on $10,000.
- From May 2020 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in BND grew to $9,943 (-0.1% a year) and $10,000 in SGOV to $12,088 (3.0% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -17.1% for BND and -0.0% for SGOV.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "BND vs SGOV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/bnd-vs-sgov
$10,000 in each, May 2020 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
BND became
$9,943
-0.1% a year
SGOV became
$12,088
3.0% a year
Year by year
| Year | BND | SGOV |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +7.1% | +4.2% |
| 2024 | +1.4% | +5.3% |
| 2023 | +5.6% | +5.1% |
| 2022 | −12.9% | +1.6% |
| 2021 | −1.9% | +0.0% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
What each holds and how it's taxed
- BND · Intermediate Core Bond
- Its distributions are taxed as the fund reports them each year (qualified dividends, ordinary income or return of capital).
- SGOV · 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 →
BND vs SGOV: questions
Is BND or SGOV better?
It depends on the job. BND pays more today (3.76% vs 3.64%), BND costs less, and SGOV has the better total return over May 2020 to Oct 2026, with SGOV 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, BND or SGOV?
BND, at 3.76% against 3.64% for SGOV as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $376 vs $364 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
SGOV. From May 2020 to Oct 2026, it returned 3.0% a year with distributions reinvested, against -0.1% for BND. $10,000 became $12,088 vs $9,943.
Which is cheaper, BND or SGOV?
BND, with a 0.03% expense ratio against 0.09%.
Related comparisons
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. SGOV leads on 4 of 7 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.