ICSH vs SGOV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, ICSH yields more: 4.13% (current yield) against 3.64% for SGOV. ICSH is cheaper to own at 0.08% a year vs 0.09%. Over the same 6 years (May 2020 to Oct 2026), ICSH returned 3.2% a year with distributions reinvested, and SGOV 3.0%. ICSH's income is mostly taxable by states; SGOV's is generally exempt from state income tax.
SGOViShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF3.64%current yield| Compared | ICSH | SGOV |
|---|---|---|
| YieldCurrent yield | 4.13% | 3.64% |
| Expense ratio | 0.08% | 0.09% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +3.6% | +3.7% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +4.9% | +4.5% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +3.9% | +3.8% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +2.9% | — |
| Worst drop since May 2020 | -0.6% | -0.0% |
| Share price since May 2020 | −0% | +1% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | iShares | iShares |
| Assets | $9.0B | $116.8B |
| Started | 2013 | 2020 |
| Type | Ultra-short bond ETF | Treasury ETF |
Higher yield
ICSH
4.13%
Lower cost
ICSH
0.08%
Better total return
ICSH
3.2%/yr
Smaller worst drop
SGOV
-0.0%
Key facts: ICSH vs SGOV
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, ICSH yields 4.13% (current yield) and SGOV yields 3.64% (current yield).
- ICSH's expense ratio is 0.08% and SGOV's is 0.09%: $8 vs $9 a year on $10,000.
- From May 2020 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in ICSH grew to $12,228 (3.2% a year) and $10,000 in SGOV to $12,088 (3.0% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -0.6% for ICSH and -0.0% for SGOV.
- ICSH's income is mostly taxable by states, while SGOV's is generally exempt from state income tax.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "ICSH vs SGOV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/icsh-vs-sgov
$10,000 in each, May 2020 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values.
ICSH became
$12,228
3.2% a year
SGOV became
$12,088
3.0% a year
Year by year
| Year | ICSH | SGOV |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +5.0% | +4.2% |
| 2024 | +5.5% | +5.3% |
| 2023 | +5.6% | +5.1% |
| 2022 | +0.9% | +1.6% |
| 2021 | +0.2% | +0.0% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
What each holds and how it's taxed
- ICSH · 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.
- SGOV · 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 →
ICSH vs SGOV: questions
Is ICSH or SGOV better?
It depends on the job. ICSH pays more today (4.13% vs 3.64%), ICSH costs less, and ICSH has the better total return over May 2020 to Oct 2026, with SGOV 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, ICSH or SGOV?
ICSH, at 4.13% against 3.64% for SGOV as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $413 vs $364 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
ICSH. From May 2020 to Oct 2026, it returned 3.2% a year with distributions reinvested, against 3.0% for SGOV. $10,000 became $12,228 vs $12,088.
Which is cheaper, ICSH or SGOV?
ICSH, with a 0.08% expense ratio against 0.09%.
How are ICSH and SGOV taxed?
ICSH: 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. SGOV: 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. ICSH leads on 4 of 6 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.