PULS vs VBIL: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, PULS yields more: 4.76% (current yield) against 3.50% for VBIL. VBIL is cheaper to own at 0.06% a year vs 0.15%. Over the same months (Feb 2025 to Oct 2026), PULS returned 4.5% a year with distributions reinvested, and VBIL 4.0%. PULS's income is mostly taxable by states; VBIL's is generally exempt from state income tax.
| Compared | PULS | VBIL |
|---|---|---|
| YieldCurrent yield | 4.76% | 3.50% |
| Expense ratio | 0.15% | 0.06% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +4.1% | +3.8% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +5.3% | — |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +4.4% | — |
| Worst drop since Feb 2025 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Share price since Feb 2025 | −1% | +1% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | PGIM | Vanguard |
| Assets | $19.6B | $14.3B |
| Started | 2018 | 2025 |
| Type | Ultra-short bond ETF | Treasury ETF |
Higher yield
PULS
4.76%
Lower cost
VBIL
0.06%
Better total return
PULS
4.5%/yr
Smaller worst drop
PULS
0.0%
Key facts: PULS vs VBIL
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, PULS yields 4.76% (current yield) and VBIL yields 3.50% (current yield).
- PULS's expense ratio is 0.15% and VBIL's is 0.06%: $15 vs $6 a year on $10,000.
- From Feb 2025 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in PULS grew to $10,754 (4.5% a year) and $10,000 in VBIL to $10,668 (4.0% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: 0.0% for PULS and 0.0% for VBIL.
- PULS's income is mostly taxable by states, while VBIL's is generally exempt from state income tax.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "PULS vs VBIL: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/puls-vs-vbil
$10,000 in each, Feb 2025 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values.
PULS became
$10,754
4.5% a year
VBIL became
$10,668
4.0% a year
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.
- VBIL · 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%
VBIL
- Holdings not reported.
PULS vs VBIL: questions
Is PULS or VBIL better?
It depends on the job. PULS pays more today (4.76% vs 3.50%), VBIL costs less, and PULS has the better total return over Feb 2025 to Oct 2026, with PULS 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 VBIL?
PULS, at 4.76% against 3.50% for VBIL as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $476 vs $350 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
PULS. From Feb 2025 to Oct 2026, it returned 4.5% a year with distributions reinvested, against 4.0% for VBIL. $10,000 became $10,754 vs $10,668.
Which is cheaper, PULS or VBIL?
VBIL, with a 0.06% expense ratio against 0.15%.
How are PULS and VBIL 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. VBIL: 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 2 of 3 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.