PULS vs USFR: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, PULS yields more: 4.76% (current yield) against 3.71% for USFR. PULS is cheaper to own at 0.15% a year vs 0.15%. Over the same 8 years (Apr 2018 to Oct 2026), PULS returned 3.4% a year with distributions reinvested, and USFR 2.8%. PULS's income is mostly taxable by states; USFR's is generally exempt from state income tax.
USFRWisdomTree Floating Rate Treasury Fund3.71%current yield| Compared | PULS | USFR |
|---|---|---|
| YieldCurrent yield | 4.76% | 3.71% |
| Expense ratio | 0.15% | 0.15% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +4.1% | +4.0% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +5.3% | +4.6% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +4.4% | +4.0% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | — | +2.6% |
| Worst drop since Apr 2018 | -2.8% | -0.1% |
| Share price since Apr 2018 | −1% | +0% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | PGIM | WisdomTree |
| Assets | $19.6B | $21.3B |
| Started | 2018 | 2014 |
| Type | Ultra-short bond ETF | Treasury ETF |
Higher yield
PULS
4.76%
Lower cost
PULS
0.15%
Better total return
PULS
3.4%/yr
Smaller worst drop
USFR
-0.1%
Key facts: PULS vs USFR
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, PULS yields 4.76% (current yield) and USFR yields 3.71% (current yield).
- PULS's expense ratio is 0.15% and USFR's is 0.15%: $15 vs $15 a year on $10,000.
- From Apr 2018 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in PULS grew to $13,262 (3.4% a year) and $10,000 in USFR to $12,638 (2.8% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -2.8% for PULS and -0.1% for USFR.
- PULS's income is mostly taxable by states, while USFR's is generally exempt from state income tax.
- 0 of PULS's top ten holdings are also in USFR's top ten.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "PULS vs USFR: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/puls-vs-usfr
$10,000 in each, Apr 2018 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values.
PULS became
$13,262
3.4% a year
USFR became
$12,638
2.8% a year
Year by year
| Year | PULS | USFR |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +5.0% | +4.2% |
| 2024 | +6.1% | +5.5% |
| 2023 | +6.3% | +5.2% |
| 2022 | +1.5% | +2.0% |
| 2021 | +0.5% | −0.0% |
| 2020 | +1.5% | +0.5% |
| 2019 | +3.2% | +2.0% |
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.
- 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.
PULS
- PAAA PGIM AAA CLO ETF2.3%
USFR
- DTRXX BNY Dreyfus Treasury Oblgtns Csh Mgt Ins0.0%
PULS vs USFR: questions
Is PULS or USFR better?
It depends on the job. PULS pays more today (4.76% vs 3.71%), PULS costs less, and PULS has the better total return over Apr 2018 to Oct 2026, with USFR 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 USFR?
PULS, at 4.76% against 3.71% for USFR as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $476 vs $371 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
PULS. From Apr 2018 to Oct 2026, it returned 3.4% a year with distributions reinvested, against 2.8% for USFR. $10,000 became $13,262 vs $12,638.
Which is cheaper, PULS or USFR?
PULS, with a 0.15% expense ratio against 0.15%.
How are PULS and USFR 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. 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.
Do PULS and USFR hold the same things?
Not at the top: none of their top ten holdings match.
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 5 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.