FLRN vs SHV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, FLRN yields more: 4.26% (current yield) against 3.63% for SHV. FLRN is cheaper to own at 0.15% a year vs 0.15%. Over the same 14 years (Dec 2011 to Oct 2026), FLRN returned 2.5% a year with distributions reinvested, and SHV 1.6%. FLRN'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 | FLRN | SHV |
|---|---|---|
| YieldCurrent yield | 4.26% | 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 Dec 2011 | -4.3% | -0.3% |
| Share price since Dec 2011 | +2% | +0% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | State Street Investment Management | iShares |
| Assets | $3.2B | $21.4B |
| Started | 2011 | 2007 |
| Type | Ultra-short bond ETF | Treasury ETF |
Higher yield
FLRN
4.26%
Lower cost
FLRN
0.15%
Better total return
FLRN
2.5%/yr
Smaller worst drop
SHV
-0.3%
Key facts: FLRN vs SHV
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, FLRN yields 4.26% (current yield) and SHV yields 3.63% (current yield).
- FLRN's expense ratio is 0.15% and SHV's is 0.15%: $15 vs $15 a year on $10,000.
- From Dec 2011 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in FLRN grew to $14,332 (2.5% a year) and $10,000 in SHV to $12,680 (1.6% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -4.3% for FLRN and -0.3% for SHV.
- FLRN's income is mostly taxable by states, while SHV's is generally exempt from state income tax.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "FLRN vs SHV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/flrn-vs-shv
$10,000 in each, Dec 2011 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values.
FLRN became
$14,332
2.5% a year
SHV became
$12,680
1.6% a year
Year by year
| Year | FLRN | SHV |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +5.0% | +4.2% |
| 2024 | +6.3% | +5.1% |
| 2023 | +6.5% | +5.0% |
| 2022 | +1.3% | +0.9% |
| 2021 | +0.4% | −0.1% |
| 2020 | +0.8% | +0.8% |
| 2019 | +4.0% | +2.4% |
| 2018 | +1.4% | +1.7% |
| 2017 | +1.8% | +0.7% |
| 2016 | +1.8% | +0.4% |
| 2015 | +0.4% | +0.0% |
| 2014 | −0.1% | +0.0% |
| 2013 | +0.8% | +0.0% |
| 2012 | +2.9% | +0.0% |
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.
- 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 →
FLRN vs SHV: questions
Is FLRN or SHV better?
It depends on the job. FLRN pays more today (4.26% vs 3.63%), FLRN costs less, and FLRN has the better total return over Dec 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, FLRN or SHV?
FLRN, at 4.26% against 3.63% for SHV as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $426 vs $363 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
FLRN. From Dec 2011 to Oct 2026, it returned 2.5% a year with distributions reinvested, against 1.6% for SHV. $10,000 became $14,332 vs $12,680.
Which is cheaper, FLRN or SHV?
FLRN, with a 0.15% expense ratio against 0.15%.
How are FLRN and SHV 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. 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. FLRN leads on 5 of 6 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.