SmarterDividends

GBIL vs USFR: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared

As of Nov 5, 2026, USFR yields more: 3.71% (current yield) against 3.59% for GBIL. GBIL is cheaper to own at 0.12% a year vs 0.15%. Over the same 10 years (Sep 2016 to Oct 2026), USFR returned 2.6% a year with distributions reinvested, and GBIL 2.4%.

ComparedGBILUSFR
YieldCurrent yield3.59%3.71%
Expense ratio0.12%0.15%
Total return, 1 yr+3.6%+4.0%
Total return, 3 yr (a year)+4.4%+4.6%
Total return, 5 yr (a year)+3.6%+4.0%
Total return, 10 yr (a year)+2.4%+2.6%
Worst drop since Sep 2016-0.4%-0.2%
Share price since Sep 2016+0%+1%
PaysMonthlyMonthly
IssuerGoldman SachsWisdomTree
Assets$7.9B$21.3B
Started20162014
TypeTreasury ETFTreasury ETF

Higher yield

USFR

3.71%

Lower cost

GBIL

0.12%

Better total return

USFR

2.6%/yr

Smaller worst drop

USFR

-0.2%

Key facts: GBIL vs USFR

Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data

  • As of Nov 5, 2026, GBIL yields 3.59% (current yield) and USFR yields 3.71% (current yield).
  • GBIL's expense ratio is 0.12% and USFR's is 0.15%: $12 vs $15 a year on $10,000.
  • From Sep 2016 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in GBIL grew to $12,640 (2.4% a year) and $10,000 in USFR to $12,910 (2.6% a year), distributions reinvested.
  • Their worst month-end drops over that time: -0.4% for GBIL and -0.2% for USFR.
Cite this page

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

$10,000 in each, Sep 2016 to Oct 2026

Distributions reinvested, month-end values.

GBIL became

$12,640

2.4% a year

USFR became

$12,910

2.6% a year

Try other dates, monthly additions or more tickers →

Year by year

YearGBILUSFR
2025+4.1%+4.2%
2024+5.2%+5.5%
2023+4.9%+5.2%
2022+1.1%+2.0%
2021−0.1%−0.0%
2020+0.8%+0.5%
2019+2.3%+2.0%
2018+1.8%+2.0%
2017+0.7%+1.0%

Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.

What each holds and how it's taxed

GBIL · Treasury ETF
Holds U.S. Treasury securities, so its income is generally exempt from state and local income tax (federal tax still applies).
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.

GBIL

  1. Holdings not reported.

USFR

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

GBIL vs USFR: questions

Is GBIL or USFR better?

It depends on the job. USFR pays more today (3.71% vs 3.59%), GBIL costs less, and USFR has the better total return over Sep 2016 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, GBIL or USFR?

USFR, at 3.71% against 3.59% for GBIL as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $371 vs $359 a year at today's rates.

Which has the better total return?

USFR. From Sep 2016 to Oct 2026, it returned 2.6% a year with distributions reinvested, against 2.4% for GBIL. $10,000 became $12,910 vs $12,640.

Which is cheaper, GBIL or USFR?

GBIL, with a 0.12% expense ratio against 0.15%.

How are GBIL and USFR taxed?

GBIL: Holds U.S. Treasury securities, so its income is generally exempt from state and local income tax (federal tax still applies). 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. USFR leads on 6 of 7 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.