FLRN vs PULS: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, PULS yields more: 4.76% (current yield) against 4.26% for FLRN. FLRN 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 FLRN 3.3%.
| Compared | FLRN | PULS |
|---|---|---|
| YieldCurrent yield | 4.26% | 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 | -4.3% | -2.8% |
| Share price since Apr 2018 | +0% | −1% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | State Street Investment Management | PGIM |
| Assets | $3.2B | $19.6B |
| Started | 2011 | 2018 |
| Type | Ultra-short bond ETF | Ultra-short bond ETF |
Higher yield
PULS
4.76%
Lower cost
FLRN
0.15%
Better total return
PULS
3.4%/yr
Smaller worst drop
PULS
-2.8%
Key facts: FLRN vs PULS
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, FLRN yields 4.26% (current yield) and PULS yields 4.76% (current yield).
- FLRN'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 FLRN grew to $13,193 (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: -4.3% for FLRN and -2.8% for PULS.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "FLRN vs PULS: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/flrn-vs-puls
$10,000 in each, Apr 2018 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values.
FLRN became
$13,193
3.3% a year
PULS became
$13,262
3.4% a year
Year by year
| Year | FLRN | PULS |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +5.0% | +5.0% |
| 2024 | +6.3% | +6.1% |
| 2023 | +6.5% | +6.3% |
| 2022 | +1.3% | +1.5% |
| 2021 | +0.4% | +0.5% |
| 2020 | +0.8% | +1.5% |
| 2019 | +4.0% | +3.2% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
What each holds and how it's taxed
- FLRN · 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.
FLRN
- Holdings not reported.
PULS
- PAAA PGIM AAA CLO ETF2.3%
FLRN vs PULS: questions
Is FLRN or PULS better?
It depends on the job. PULS pays more today (4.76% vs 4.26%), FLRN 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, FLRN or PULS?
PULS, at 4.76% against 4.26% for FLRN as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $476 vs $426 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 FLRN. $10,000 became $13,262 vs $13,193.
Which is cheaper, FLRN or PULS?
FLRN, with a 0.15% expense ratio against 0.15%.
How are FLRN and PULS taxed?
FLRN: 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.
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. FLRN leads on 3 of 5 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.