PULS vs SGOV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, PULS yields more: 4.76% (current yield) against 3.64% for SGOV. SGOV is cheaper to own at 0.09% a year vs 0.15%. Over the same 6 years (May 2020 to Oct 2026), PULS returned 3.8% a year with distributions reinvested, and SGOV 3.0%. PULS'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 | PULS | SGOV |
|---|---|---|
| YieldCurrent yield | 4.76% | 3.64% |
| Expense ratio | 0.15% | 0.09% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +4.1% | +3.7% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +5.3% | +4.5% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +4.4% | +3.8% |
| Worst drop since May 2020 | -0.4% | -0.0% |
| Share price since May 2020 | −0% | +1% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | PGIM | iShares |
| Assets | $19.6B | $116.8B |
| Started | 2018 | 2020 |
| Type | Ultra-short bond ETF | Treasury ETF |
Higher yield
PULS
4.76%
Lower cost
SGOV
0.09%
Better total return
PULS
3.8%/yr
Smaller worst drop
SGOV
-0.0%
Key facts: PULS vs SGOV
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, PULS yields 4.76% (current yield) and SGOV yields 3.64% (current yield).
- PULS's expense ratio is 0.15% and SGOV's is 0.09%: $15 vs $9 a year on $10,000.
- From May 2020 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in PULS grew to $12,668 (3.8% a year) and $10,000 in SGOV to $12,088 (3.0% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -0.4% for PULS and -0.0% for SGOV.
- PULS's income is mostly taxable by states, while SGOV's is generally exempt from state income tax.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "PULS vs SGOV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/puls-vs-sgov
$10,000 in each, May 2020 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values.
PULS became
$12,668
3.8% a year
SGOV became
$12,088
3.0% a year
Year by year
| Year | PULS | SGOV |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +5.0% | +4.2% |
| 2024 | +6.1% | +5.3% |
| 2023 | +6.3% | +5.1% |
| 2022 | +1.5% | +1.6% |
| 2021 | +0.5% | +0.0% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
What each holds and how it's taxed
- PULS · 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 →
Top holdings
No overlap in the top ten.
PULS
- PAAA PGIM AAA CLO ETF2.3%
SGOV
- Holdings not reported.
PULS vs SGOV: questions
Is PULS or SGOV better?
It depends on the job. PULS pays more today (4.76% vs 3.64%), SGOV costs less, and PULS 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, PULS or SGOV?
PULS, at 4.76% against 3.64% for SGOV as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $476 vs $364 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
PULS. From May 2020 to Oct 2026, it returned 3.8% a year with distributions reinvested, against 3.0% for SGOV. $10,000 became $12,668 vs $12,088.
Which is cheaper, PULS or SGOV?
SGOV, with a 0.09% expense ratio against 0.15%.
How are PULS and SGOV taxed?
PULS: 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. PULS leads on 4 of 6 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.