BIL vs SGOV
State Street SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF vs iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF
Which is better, BIL or SGOV?
Ultrashort Term Bond against Short Term Government Bond.
SGOV has a lower expense ratio. SGOV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | BIL | SGOV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.14% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $46.8B | $106.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.81% | 3.79% |
| Holdings | 20 | 24 |
| YTD Return | +2.51% | +2.58%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.68% | +3.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.36% | +4.57%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.56% | +3.76%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 0.6%Best | 0.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -0.3%Tie | -0.3%Tie |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,911 | $12,027Best |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Style | Ultrashort Term Bond | Short Term Government Bond |
| Inception | May 25, 2007 | May 26, 2020 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 28, 2020 to Sep 18, 2026 (6.3 years).
BIL vs SGOV growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 6.3 years both funds cover.
BIL vs SGOV Performance
State Street SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (BIL) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (SGOV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year BIL returned +3.68% while SGOV returned +3.77%. Year to date, BIL is up 2.51% versus a gain of 2.58% for SGOV.
Over three years, BIL compounded at +4.36% per year against +4.57% for SGOV; over five years the annualized figures are +3.56% and +3.76% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, SGOV has the edge at +2.97% annualized vs +2.79%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SGOV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 0.7% compared with 0.6% for BIL. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -0.3% for BIL and -0.3% for SGOV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BIL charges 0.14% per year while SGOV charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $14 vs $9 annually, a gap of $5 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BIL currently yields 3.81% against 3.79% for SGOV.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BIL and SGOV you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BIL or SGOV?
BIL has an expense ratio of 0.14% while SGOV charges 0.09%. SGOV is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BIL or SGOV?
Over the past year BIL returned +3.68% vs +3.77% for SGOV, so SGOV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), BIL annualized +2.79% vs +2.97% for SGOV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BIL or SGOV?
SGOV has been the more volatile fund at 0.7% annualized versus 0.6% for BIL. Worst drawdown: BIL -0.3% vs SGOV -0.3%.
Should I hold both BIL and SGOV?
BIL and SGOV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, BIL or SGOV?
BIL yields 3.81% while SGOV yields 3.79%, so BIL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SGOV better than BIL?
SGOV has a lower expense ratio. SGOV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.