SmarterDividends

TBLL vs USFR: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared

As of Nov 5, 2026, USFR yields more: 3.71% (current yield) against 3.59% for TBLL. TBLL is cheaper to own at 0.08% a year vs 0.15%. Over the same 9 years (Jan 2017 to Oct 2026), USFR returned 2.6% a year with distributions reinvested, and TBLL 2.4%.

ComparedTBLLUSFR
YieldCurrent yield3.59%3.71%
Expense ratio0.08%0.15%
Total return, 1 yr+3.6%+4.0%
Total return, 3 yr (a year)+4.4%+4.6%
Total return, 5 yr (a year)+3.7%+4.0%
Total return, 10 yr (a year)—+2.6%
Worst drop since Jan 2017-0.2%-0.2%
Share price since Jan 2017+0%+1%
PaysMonthlyMonthly
IssuerInvescoWisdomTree
Assets$2.9B$21.3B
Started20172014
TypeTreasury ETFTreasury ETF

Higher yield

USFR

3.71%

Lower cost

TBLL

0.08%

Better total return

USFR

2.6%/yr

Smaller worst drop

USFR

-0.2%

Key facts: TBLL vs USFR

Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data

  • As of Nov 5, 2026, TBLL yields 3.59% (current yield) and USFR yields 3.71% (current yield).
  • TBLL's expense ratio is 0.08% and USFR's is 0.15%: $8 vs $15 a year on $10,000.
  • From Jan 2017 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in TBLL grew to $12,549 (2.4% a year) and $10,000 in USFR to $12,874 (2.6% a year), distributions reinvested.
  • Their worst month-end drops over that time: -0.2% for TBLL and -0.2% for USFR.
Cite this page

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

$10,000 in each, Jan 2017 to Oct 2026

Distributions reinvested, month-end values.

TBLL became

$12,549

2.4% a year

USFR became

$12,874

2.6% a year

Try other dates, monthly additions or more tickers →

Year by year

YearTBLLUSFR
2025+4.2%+4.2%
2024+5.1%+5.5%
2023+5.0%+5.2%
2022+1.1%+2.0%
2021+0.0%−0.0%
2020+0.6%+0.5%
2019+1.8%+2.0%
2018+1.7%+2.0%

Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.

What each holds and how it's taxed

TBLL · 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.

TBLL

  1. Holdings not reported.

USFR

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

TBLL vs USFR: questions

Is TBLL or USFR better?

It depends on the job. USFR pays more today (3.71% vs 3.59%), TBLL costs less, and USFR has the better total return over Jan 2017 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, TBLL or USFR?

USFR, at 3.71% against 3.59% for TBLL as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $371 vs $359 a year at today's rates.

Which has the better total return?

USFR. From Jan 2017 to Oct 2026, it returned 2.6% a year with distributions reinvested, against 2.4% for TBLL. $10,000 became $12,874 vs $12,549.

Which is cheaper, TBLL or USFR?

TBLL, with a 0.08% expense ratio against 0.15%.

How are TBLL and USFR taxed?

TBLL: 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.

Related comparisons

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 5 of 6 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.