JAAA vs SGOV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, JAAA yields more: 5.26% (current yield) against 3.64% for SGOV. SGOV is cheaper to own at 0.09% a year vs 0.20%. Over the same 6 years (Oct 2020 to Oct 2026), JAAA returned 4.6% a year with distributions reinvested, and SGOV 3.2%. JAAA's income is mostly taxable by states; SGOV's is generally exempt from state income tax.
JAAAJanus Henderson AAA CLO ETF5.26%current yield
SGOViShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF3.64%current yield| Compared | JAAA | SGOV |
|---|---|---|
| YieldCurrent yield | 5.26% | 3.64% |
| Expense ratio | 0.20% | 0.09% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +4.8% | +3.7% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +6.1% | +4.5% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +5.1% | +3.8% |
| Worst drop since Oct 2020 | -2.4% | -0.0% |
| Share price since Oct 2020 | +1% | +1% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | Janus Henderson | iShares |
| Assets | $32.4B | $116.8B |
| Started | 2020 | 2020 |
| Type | Ultra-short bond ETF | Treasury ETF |
Higher yield
JAAA
5.26%
Lower cost
SGOV
0.09%
Better total return
JAAA
4.6%/yr
Smaller worst drop
SGOV
-0.0%
Key facts: JAAA vs SGOV
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, JAAA yields 5.26% (current yield) and SGOV yields 3.64% (current yield).
- JAAA's expense ratio is 0.20% and SGOV's is 0.09%: $20 vs $9 a year on $10,000.
- From Oct 2020 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in JAAA grew to $13,125 (4.6% a year) and $10,000 in SGOV to $12,083 (3.2% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -2.4% for JAAA and -0.0% for SGOV.
- JAAA's income is mostly taxable by states, while SGOV's is generally exempt from state income tax.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "JAAA vs SGOV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/jaaa-vs-sgov
$10,000 in each, Oct 2020 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values.
JAAA became
$13,125
4.6% a year
SGOV became
$12,083
3.2% a year
Year by year
| Year | JAAA | SGOV |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +5.2% | +4.2% |
| 2024 | +7.4% | +5.3% |
| 2023 | +8.6% | +5.1% |
| 2022 | +0.5% | +1.6% |
| 2021 | +1.4% | +0.0% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
What each holds and how it's taxed
- JAAA · 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 →
JAAA vs SGOV: questions
Is JAAA or SGOV better?
It depends on the job. JAAA pays more today (5.26% vs 3.64%), SGOV costs less, and JAAA has the better total return over Oct 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, JAAA or SGOV?
JAAA, at 5.26% against 3.64% for SGOV as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $526 vs $364 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
JAAA. From Oct 2020 to Oct 2026, it returned 4.6% a year with distributions reinvested, against 3.2% for SGOV. $10,000 became $13,125 vs $12,083.
Which is cheaper, JAAA or SGOV?
SGOV, with a 0.09% expense ratio against 0.20%.
How are JAAA and SGOV taxed?
JAAA: 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. JAAA leads on 4 of 6 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.