SmarterDividends

SGOV vs USFR: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared

As of Nov 5, 2026, USFR yields more: 3.71% (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), USFR returned 3.1% a year with distributions reinvested, and SGOV 3.0%.

ComparedSGOVUSFR
YieldCurrent yield3.64%3.71%
Expense ratio0.09%0.15%
Total return, 1 yr+3.7%+4.0%
Total return, 3 yr (a year)+4.5%+4.6%
Total return, 5 yr (a year)+3.8%+4.0%
Total return, 10 yr (a year)—+2.6%
Worst drop since May 2020-0.0%-0.1%
Share price since May 2020+1%+0%
PaysMonthlyMonthly
IssueriSharesWisdomTree
Assets$116.8B$21.3B
Started20202014
TypeTreasury ETFTreasury ETF

Higher yield

USFR

3.71%

Lower cost

SGOV

0.09%

Better total return

USFR

3.1%/yr

Smaller worst drop

SGOV

-0.0%

Key facts: SGOV vs USFR

Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data

  • As of Nov 5, 2026, SGOV yields 3.64% (current yield) and USFR yields 3.71% (current yield).
  • SGOV's expense ratio is 0.09% and USFR'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 USFR to $12,180 (3.1% a year), distributions reinvested.
  • Their worst month-end drops over that time: -0.0% for SGOV and -0.1% for USFR.
Cite this page

SmarterDividends, "SGOV vs USFR: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/sgov-vs-usfr

$10,000 in each, May 2020 to Oct 2026

Distributions reinvested, month-end values.

SGOV became

$12,088

3.0% a year

USFR became

$12,180

3.1% a year

Try other dates, monthly additions or more tickers →

Year by year

YearSGOVUSFR
2025+4.2%+4.2%
2024+5.3%+5.5%
2023+5.1%+5.2%
2022+1.6%+2.0%
2021+0.0%−0.0%

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).
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.

SGOV

  1. Holdings not reported.

USFR

  1. DTRXX BNY Dreyfus Treasury Oblgtns Csh Mgt Ins0.0%

SGOV vs USFR: questions

Is SGOV or USFR better?

It depends on the job. USFR pays more today (3.71% vs 3.64%), SGOV costs less, and USFR 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, SGOV or USFR?

USFR, at 3.71% against 3.64% for SGOV as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $371 vs $364 a year at today's rates.

Which has the better total return?

USFR. From May 2020 to Oct 2026, it returned 3.1% a year with distributions reinvested, against 3.0% for SGOV. $10,000 became $12,180 vs $12,088.

Which is cheaper, SGOV or USFR?

SGOV, with a 0.09% expense ratio against 0.15%.

How are SGOV and USFR taxed?

SGOV: Holds U.S. Treasury securities, so its income is generally exempt from state and local income tax (federal tax still applies). 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.

Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. USFR leads on 4 of 6 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.