SmarterDividends

JPST vs XHLF: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared

As of Nov 5, 2026, JPST yields more: 4.13% (current yield) against 3.75% for XHLF. XHLF is cheaper to own at 0.03% a year vs 0.18%. Over the same 4 years (Sep 2022 to Oct 2026), JPST returned 4.8% a year with distributions reinvested, and XHLF 4.4%. JPST's income is mostly taxable by states; XHLF's is generally exempt from state income tax.

ComparedJPSTXHLF
YieldCurrent yield4.13%3.75%
Expense ratio0.18%0.03%
Total return, 1 yr+3.5%+3.6%
Total return, 3 yr (a year)+4.9%+4.4%
Total return, 5 yr (a year)+3.9%—
Worst drop since Sep 20220.0%0.0%
Share price since Sep 2022+1%+0%
PaysMonthlyMonthly
IssuerJPMorganBondBloxx Investment Management
Assets$42.5B$2.0B
Started20172022
TypeUltra-short bond ETFTreasury ETF

Higher yield

JPST

4.13%

Lower cost

XHLF

0.03%

Better total return

JPST

4.8%/yr

Smaller worst drop

JPST

0.0%

Key facts: JPST vs XHLF

Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data

  • As of Nov 5, 2026, JPST yields 4.13% (current yield) and XHLF yields 3.75% (current yield).
  • JPST's expense ratio is 0.18% and XHLF's is 0.03%: $18 vs $3 a year on $10,000.
  • From Sep 2022 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in JPST grew to $12,108 (4.8% a year) and $10,000 in XHLF to $11,910 (4.4% a year), distributions reinvested.
  • Their worst month-end drops over that time: 0.0% for JPST and 0.0% for XHLF.
  • JPST's income is mostly taxable by states, while XHLF's is generally exempt from state income tax.
Cite this page

SmarterDividends, "JPST vs XHLF: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/jpst-vs-xhlf

$10,000 in each, Sep 2022 to Oct 2026

Distributions reinvested, month-end values.

JPST became

$12,108

4.8% a year

XHLF became

$11,910

4.4% a year

Try other dates, monthly additions or more tickers →

Year by year

YearJPSTXHLF
2025+5.0%+4.2%
2024+5.6%+5.0%
2023+5.1%+4.9%

Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.

What each holds and how it's taxed

JPST · 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.
XHLF · 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.

JPST

  1. MGMXX JPMorgan US Government MMkt IM2.9%

XHLF

  1. Holdings not reported.

JPST vs XHLF: questions

Is JPST or XHLF better?

It depends on the job. JPST pays more today (4.13% vs 3.75%), XHLF costs less, and JPST has the better total return over Sep 2022 to Oct 2026, with JPST 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, JPST or XHLF?

JPST, at 4.13% against 3.75% for XHLF as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $413 vs $375 a year at today's rates.

Which has the better total return?

JPST. From Sep 2022 to Oct 2026, it returned 4.8% a year with distributions reinvested, against 4.4% for XHLF. $10,000 became $12,108 vs $11,910.

Which is cheaper, JPST or XHLF?

XHLF, with a 0.03% expense ratio against 0.18%.

How are JPST and XHLF taxed?

JPST: 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. XHLF: 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.

Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.