SmarterDividends

CLIP vs USFR: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared

As of Nov 5, 2026, CLIP yields more: 3.72% (current yield) against 3.71% for USFR. CLIP is cheaper to own at 0.07% a year vs 0.15%. Over the same 3 years (Jun 2023 to Oct 2026), USFR returned 4.7% a year with distributions reinvested, and CLIP 4.6%.

ComparedCLIPUSFR
YieldCurrent yield3.72%3.71%
Expense ratio0.07%0.15%
Total return, 1 yr+3.8%+4.0%
Total return, 3 yr (a year)+4.5%+4.6%
Total return, 5 yr (a year)—+4.0%
Total return, 10 yr (a year)—+2.6%
Worst drop since Jun 20230.0%0.0%
Share price since Jun 2023+0%+0%
PaysMonthlyMonthly
IssuerGlobal XWisdomTree
Assets$2.4B$21.3B
Started20232014
TypeTreasury ETFTreasury ETF

Higher yield

CLIP

3.72%

Lower cost

CLIP

0.07%

Better total return

USFR

4.7%/yr

Smaller worst drop

CLIP

0.0%

Key facts: CLIP vs USFR

Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data

  • As of Nov 5, 2026, CLIP yields 3.72% (current yield) and USFR yields 3.71% (current yield).
  • CLIP's expense ratio is 0.07% and USFR's is 0.15%: $7 vs $15 a year on $10,000.
  • From Jun 2023 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in CLIP grew to $11,607 (4.6% a year) and $10,000 in USFR to $11,650 (4.7% a year), distributions reinvested.
  • Their worst month-end drops over that time: 0.0% for CLIP and 0.0% for USFR.
Cite this page

SmarterDividends, "CLIP vs USFR: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/clip-vs-usfr

$10,000 in each, Jun 2023 to Oct 2026

Distributions reinvested, month-end values.

CLIP became

$11,607

4.6% a year

USFR became

$11,650

4.7% a year

Try other dates, monthly additions or more tickers →

Year by year

YearCLIPUSFR
2025+4.2%+4.2%
2024+5.3%+5.5%

Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.

What each holds and how it's taxed

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

Top holdings

No overlap in the top ten.

CLIP

  1. Holdings not reported.

USFR

  1. DTRXX BNY Dreyfus Treasury Oblgtns Csh Mgt Ins0.0%

CLIP vs USFR: questions

Is CLIP or USFR better?

It depends on the job. CLIP pays more today (3.72% vs 3.71%), CLIP costs less, and USFR has the better total return over Jun 2023 to Oct 2026, with CLIP 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, CLIP or USFR?

CLIP, at 3.72% against 3.71% for USFR as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $372 vs $371 a year at today's rates.

Which has the better total return?

USFR. From Jun 2023 to Oct 2026, it returned 4.7% a year with distributions reinvested, against 4.6% for CLIP. $10,000 became $11,650 vs $11,607.

Which is cheaper, CLIP or USFR?

CLIP, with a 0.07% expense ratio against 0.15%.

How are CLIP and USFR taxed?

CLIP: Holds U.S. Treasury securities, so its income is generally exempt from state and local income tax (federal tax still applies). USFR: 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. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.