ICSH vs USFR: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, ICSH yields more: 4.13% (current yield) against 3.71% for USFR. ICSH is cheaper to own at 0.08% a year vs 0.15%. Over the same 12 years (Feb 2014 to Oct 2026), ICSH returned 2.4% a year with distributions reinvested, and USFR 2.0%. ICSH's income is mostly taxable by states; USFR's is generally exempt from state income tax.
| Compared | ICSH | USFR |
|---|---|---|
| YieldCurrent yield | 4.13% | 3.71% |
| Expense ratio | 0.08% | 0.15% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +3.6% | +4.0% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +4.9% | +4.6% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +3.9% | +4.0% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +2.9% | +2.6% |
| Worst drop since Feb 2014 | -0.9% | -1.3% |
| Share price since Feb 2014 | +1% | +1% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | iShares | WisdomTree |
| Assets | $9.0B | $21.3B |
| Started | 2013 | 2014 |
| Type | Ultra-short bond ETF | Treasury ETF |
Higher yield
ICSH
4.13%
Lower cost
ICSH
0.08%
Better total return
ICSH
2.4%/yr
Smaller worst drop
ICSH
-0.9%
Key facts: ICSH vs USFR
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, ICSH yields 4.13% (current yield) and USFR yields 3.71% (current yield).
- ICSH's expense ratio is 0.08% and USFR's is 0.15%: $8 vs $15 a year on $10,000.
- From Feb 2014 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in ICSH grew to $13,433 (2.4% a year) and $10,000 in USFR to $12,887 (2.0% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -0.9% for ICSH and -1.3% for USFR.
- ICSH's income is mostly taxable by states, while USFR's is generally exempt from state income tax.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "ICSH vs USFR: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/icsh-vs-usfr
$10,000 in each, Feb 2014 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values.
ICSH became
$13,433
2.4% a year
USFR became
$12,887
2.0% a year
Year by year
| Year | ICSH | USFR |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +5.0% | +4.2% |
| 2024 | +5.5% | +5.5% |
| 2023 | +5.6% | +5.2% |
| 2022 | +0.9% | +2.0% |
| 2021 | +0.2% | −0.0% |
| 2020 | +1.6% | +0.5% |
| 2019 | +3.1% | +2.0% |
| 2018 | +2.3% | +2.0% |
| 2017 | +1.6% | +1.0% |
| 2016 | +1.3% | +0.8% |
| 2015 | +0.2% | −0.1% |
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.
- 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.
ICSH
- Holdings not reported.
USFR
- DTRXX BNY Dreyfus Treasury Oblgtns Csh Mgt Ins0.0%
ICSH vs USFR: questions
Is ICSH or USFR better?
It depends on the job. ICSH pays more today (4.13% vs 3.71%), ICSH costs less, and ICSH has the better total return over Feb 2014 to Oct 2026, with ICSH 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 USFR?
ICSH, at 4.13% against 3.71% for USFR as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $413 vs $371 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
ICSH. From Feb 2014 to Oct 2026, it returned 2.4% a year with distributions reinvested, against 2.0% for USFR. $10,000 became $13,433 vs $12,887.
Which is cheaper, ICSH or USFR?
ICSH, with a 0.08% expense ratio against 0.15%.
How are ICSH and USFR 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. 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. ICSH leads on 5 of 7 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.
