SGOV vs TLT: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, TLT yields more: 4.35% (dividend 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), SGOV returned 3.0% a year with distributions reinvested, and TLT -7.4%.
SGOViShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF3.64%current yield
TLTiShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF4.35%dividend yield| Compared | SGOV | TLT |
|---|---|---|
| YieldSGOV: current yield; TLT: dividend yield | 3.64% | 4.35% |
| Expense ratio | 0.09% | 0.15% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +3.7% | −5.2% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +4.5% | +3.6% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +3.8% | −7.9% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | — | −1.8% |
| Worst drop since May 2020 | -0.0% | -47.6% |
| Share price since May 2020 | +1% | −50% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | iShares | iShares |
| Assets | $116.8B | $47.5B |
| Started | 2020 | 2002 |
| Type | Treasury ETF | Long Government |
Higher yield
TLT
4.35%
Lower cost
SGOV
0.09%
Better total return
SGOV
3.0%/yr
Smaller worst drop
SGOV
-0.0%
Key facts: SGOV vs TLT
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, SGOV yields 3.64% (current yield) and TLT yields 4.35% (dividend yield).
- SGOV's expense ratio is 0.09% and TLT's is 0.15%: $9 vs $15 a year on $10,000.
- From May 2020 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in SGOV grew to $12,088 (3.0% a year) and $10,000 in TLT to $6,109 (-7.4% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -0.0% for SGOV and -47.6% for TLT.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "SGOV vs TLT: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/sgov-vs-tlt
$10,000 in each, May 2020 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
SGOV became
$12,088
3.0% a year
TLT became
$6,109
-7.4% a year
Year by year
| Year | SGOV | TLT |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +4.2% | +4.3% |
| 2024 | +5.3% | −8.1% |
| 2023 | +5.1% | +2.8% |
| 2022 | +1.6% | −31.2% |
| 2021 | +0.0% | −4.6% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
What each holds and how it's taxed
- SGOV · Treasury ETF
- Holds U.S. Treasury securities, so its income is generally exempt from state and local income tax (federal tax still applies).
- TLT · Long Government
- Its distributions are taxed as the fund reports them each year (qualified dividends, ordinary income or return of capital).
General information, not tax advice. Every cash fund by yield →
SGOV vs TLT: questions
Is SGOV or TLT better?
It depends on the job. TLT pays more today (4.35% vs 3.64%), SGOV costs less, and SGOV has the better total return over May 2020 to Oct 2026, with SGOV holding up better in its worst stretch. For income, look at yield and whether the payouts hold up; for growth, total return and drawdowns.
Which pays a higher dividend, SGOV or TLT?
TLT, at 4.35% against 3.64% for SGOV as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $435 vs $364 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
SGOV. From May 2020 to Oct 2026, it returned 3.0% a year with distributions reinvested, against -7.4% for TLT. $10,000 became $12,088 vs $6,109.
Which is cheaper, SGOV or TLT?
SGOV, with a 0.09% expense ratio against 0.15%.
Related comparisons
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. SGOV leads on 6 of 7 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.