FLOT vs SHV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, FLOT yields more: 4.27% (current yield) against 3.63% for SHV. FLOT is cheaper to own at 0.15% a year vs 0.15%. Over the same 15 years (Jun 2011 to Oct 2026), FLOT returned 2.3% a year with distributions reinvested, and SHV 1.6%. FLOT's income is mostly taxable by states; SHV's is generally exempt from state income tax.
SHViShares 0–1 Year Treasury Bond ETF3.63%current yield| Compared | FLOT | SHV |
|---|---|---|
| YieldCurrent yield | 4.27% | 3.63% |
| Expense ratio | 0.15% | 0.15% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +4.2% | +3.6% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +5.3% | +4.4% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +4.5% | +3.6% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +3.1% | +2.4% |
| Worst drop since Jun 2011 | -4.2% | -0.3% |
| Share price since Jun 2011 | +2% | +0% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | iShares | iShares |
| Assets | $11.7B | $21.4B |
| Started | 2011 | 2007 |
| Type | Ultra-short bond ETF | Treasury ETF |
Higher yield
FLOT
4.27%
Lower cost
FLOT
0.15%
Better total return
FLOT
2.3%/yr
Smaller worst drop
SHV
-0.3%
Key facts: FLOT vs SHV
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, FLOT yields 4.27% (current yield) and SHV yields 3.63% (current yield).
- FLOT's expense ratio is 0.15% and SHV's is 0.15%: $15 vs $15 a year on $10,000.
- From Jun 2011 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in FLOT grew to $14,227 (2.3% a year) and $10,000 in SHV to $12,680 (1.6% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -4.2% for FLOT and -0.3% for SHV.
- FLOT's income is mostly taxable by states, while SHV's is generally exempt from state income tax.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "FLOT vs SHV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/flot-vs-shv
$10,000 in each, Jun 2011 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values.
FLOT became
$14,227
2.3% a year
SHV became
$12,680
1.6% a year
Year by year
| Year | FLOT | SHV |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +4.9% | +4.2% |
| 2024 | +6.5% | +5.1% |
| 2023 | +6.4% | +5.0% |
| 2022 | +1.3% | +0.9% |
| 2021 | +0.4% | −0.1% |
| 2020 | +0.9% | +0.8% |
| 2019 | +4.0% | +2.4% |
| 2018 | +1.5% | +1.7% |
| 2017 | +1.7% | +0.7% |
| 2016 | +1.6% | +0.4% |
| 2015 | +0.3% | +0.0% |
| 2014 | +0.1% | +0.0% |
| 2013 | +0.7% | +0.0% |
| 2012 | +4.3% | +0.0% |
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.
- 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 →
Top holdings
No overlap in the top ten.
FLOT
- XTSLA BlackRock Cash Funds Treasury SL Agency1.1%
SHV
- Holdings not reported.
FLOT vs SHV: questions
Is FLOT or SHV better?
It depends on the job. FLOT pays more today (4.27% vs 3.63%), FLOT costs less, and FLOT has the better total return over Jun 2011 to Oct 2026, with SHV 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 SHV?
FLOT, at 4.27% against 3.63% for SHV as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $427 vs $363 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
FLOT. From Jun 2011 to Oct 2026, it returned 2.3% a year with distributions reinvested, against 1.6% for SHV. $10,000 became $14,227 vs $12,680.
Which is cheaper, FLOT or SHV?
FLOT, with a 0.15% expense ratio against 0.15%.
How are FLOT and SHV 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. 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. FLOT leads on 5 of 6 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.