SmarterDividends

FLRN vs USFR: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared

As of Nov 5, 2026, FLRN yields more: 4.26% (current yield) against 3.71% for USFR. FLRN is cheaper to own at 0.15% a year vs 0.15%. Over the same 12 years (Feb 2014 to Oct 2026), FLRN returned 2.6% a year with distributions reinvested, and USFR 2.0%. FLRN's income is mostly taxable by states; USFR's is generally exempt from state income tax.

ComparedFLRNUSFR
YieldCurrent yield4.26%3.71%
Expense ratio0.15%0.15%
Total return, 1 yr+4.2%+4.0%
Total return, 3 yr (a year)+5.3%+4.6%
Total return, 5 yr (a year)+4.5%+4.0%
Total return, 10 yr (a year)+3.1%+2.6%
Worst drop since Feb 2014-4.3%-1.3%
Share price since Feb 2014+1%+1%
PaysMonthlyMonthly
IssuerState Street Investment ManagementWisdomTree
Assets$3.2B$21.3B
Started20112014
TypeUltra-short bond ETFTreasury ETF

Higher yield

FLRN

4.26%

Lower cost

FLRN

0.15%

Better total return

FLRN

2.6%/yr

Smaller worst drop

USFR

-1.3%

Key facts: FLRN vs USFR

Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data

  • As of Nov 5, 2026, FLRN yields 4.26% (current yield) and USFR yields 3.71% (current yield).
  • FLRN's expense ratio is 0.15% and USFR's is 0.15%: $15 vs $15 a year on $10,000.
  • From Feb 2014 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in FLRN grew to $13,854 (2.6% a year) and $10,000 in USFR to $12,887 (2.0% a year), distributions reinvested.
  • Their worst month-end drops over that time: -4.3% for FLRN and -1.3% for USFR.
  • FLRN's income is mostly taxable by states, while USFR's is generally exempt from state income tax.
Cite this page

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

$10,000 in each, Feb 2014 to Oct 2026

Distributions reinvested, month-end values.

FLRN became

$13,854

2.6% a year

USFR became

$12,887

2.0% a year

Try other dates, monthly additions or more tickers →

Year by year

YearFLRNUSFR
2025+5.0%+4.2%
2024+6.3%+5.5%
2023+6.5%+5.2%
2022+1.3%+2.0%
2021+0.4%−0.0%
2020+0.8%+0.5%
2019+4.0%+2.0%
2018+1.4%+2.0%
2017+1.8%+1.0%
2016+1.8%+0.8%
2015+0.4%−0.1%

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.
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.

FLRN

  1. Holdings not reported.

USFR

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

FLRN vs USFR: questions

Is FLRN or USFR better?

It depends on the job. FLRN pays more today (4.26% vs 3.71%), FLRN costs less, and FLRN has the better total return over Feb 2014 to Oct 2026, with USFR 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 USFR?

FLRN, at 4.26% against 3.71% for USFR as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $426 vs $371 a year at today's rates.

Which has the better total return?

FLRN. From Feb 2014 to Oct 2026, it returned 2.6% a year with distributions reinvested, against 2.0% for USFR. $10,000 became $13,854 vs $12,887.

Which is cheaper, FLRN or USFR?

FLRN, with a 0.15% expense ratio against 0.15%.

How are FLRN and USFR 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. 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. FLRN leads on 5 of 6 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.