FLOT vs PULS: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, PULS yields more: 4.76% (current yield) against 4.27% for FLOT. FLOT is cheaper to own at 0.15% a year vs 0.15%. Over the same 8 years (Apr 2018 to Oct 2026), PULS returned 3.4% a year with distributions reinvested, and FLOT 3.3%.
| Compared | FLOT | PULS |
|---|---|---|
| YieldCurrent yield | 4.27% | 4.76% |
| Expense ratio | 0.15% | 0.15% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +4.2% | +4.1% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +5.3% | +5.3% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +4.5% | +4.4% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +3.1% | — |
| Worst drop since Apr 2018 | -4.2% | -2.8% |
| Share price since Apr 2018 | −0% | −1% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | iShares | PGIM |
| Assets | $11.7B | $19.6B |
| Started | 2011 | 2018 |
| Type | Ultra-short bond ETF | Ultra-short bond ETF |
Higher yield
PULS
4.76%
Lower cost
FLOT
0.15%
Better total return
PULS
3.4%/yr
Smaller worst drop
PULS
-2.8%
Key facts: FLOT vs PULS
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, FLOT yields 4.27% (current yield) and PULS yields 4.76% (current yield).
- FLOT's expense ratio is 0.15% and PULS's is 0.15%: $15 vs $15 a year on $10,000.
- From Apr 2018 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in FLOT grew to $13,207 (3.3% a year) and $10,000 in PULS to $13,262 (3.4% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -4.2% for FLOT and -2.8% for PULS.
- 0 of FLOT's top ten holdings are also in PULS's top ten.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "FLOT vs PULS: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/flot-vs-puls
$10,000 in each, Apr 2018 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values.
FLOT became
$13,207
3.3% a year
PULS became
$13,262
3.4% a year
Year by year
| Year | FLOT | PULS |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +4.9% | +5.0% |
| 2024 | +6.5% | +6.1% |
| 2023 | +6.4% | +6.3% |
| 2022 | +1.3% | +1.5% |
| 2021 | +0.4% | +0.5% |
| 2020 | +0.9% | +1.5% |
| 2019 | +4.0% | +3.2% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
What each holds and how it's taxed
- FLOT · 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.
- PULS · 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.
FLOT
- XTSLA BlackRock Cash Funds Treasury SL Agency1.1%
PULS
- PAAA PGIM AAA CLO ETF2.3%
FLOT vs PULS: questions
Is FLOT or PULS better?
It depends on the job. PULS pays more today (4.76% vs 4.27%), FLOT costs less, and PULS has the better total return over Apr 2018 to Oct 2026, with PULS 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, FLOT or PULS?
PULS, at 4.76% against 4.27% for FLOT as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $476 vs $427 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
PULS. From Apr 2018 to Oct 2026, it returned 3.4% a year with distributions reinvested, against 3.3% for FLOT. $10,000 became $13,262 vs $13,207.
Which is cheaper, FLOT or PULS?
FLOT, with a 0.15% expense ratio against 0.15%.
How are FLOT and PULS taxed?
FLOT: 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. PULS: 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.
Do FLOT and PULS hold the same things?
Not at the top: none of their top ten holdings match.
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. FLOT leads on 3 of 5 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.