SGOV vs TFLO
iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF vs iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF
Which is better, SGOV or TFLO?
TFLO has been ahead.
SGOV has a lower expense ratio. TFLO 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 | SGOV | TFLO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 0.15% |
| AUM | $106.0B | $6.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.79% | 3.78% |
| Holdings | 24 | 10 |
| YTD Return | +2.52% | +2.67%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.76% | +3.98%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.56% | +4.61%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.75% | +3.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 0.7% | 0.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -0.3% | -0.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,021 | $12,085Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Style | Short Term Government Bond | - |
| Inception | May 26, 2020 | Feb 4, 2014 |
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 15, 2026 (6.3 years).
SGOV vs TFLO 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.
SGOV vs TFLO Performance
iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (SGOV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF (TFLO) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year SGOV returned +3.76% while TFLO returned +3.98%. Year to date, SGOV is up 2.52% versus a gain of 2.67% for TFLO.
Over three years, SGOV compounded at +4.56% per year against +4.61% for TFLO; over five years the annualized figures are +3.75% and +3.86% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, TFLO has the edge at +3.05% annualized vs +2.97%.
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 TFLO. 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 SGOV and -0.1% for TFLO. 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
SGOV charges 0.09% per year while TFLO charges 0.15%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $15 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SGOV currently yields 3.79% against 3.78% for TFLO.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in SGOV and 5 in TFLO, totalling 0.7% and 49.6% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 1 positions appear in both.
1 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in SGOV and 5 in TFLO, against full books of 24 and 10.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SGOV | Weight in TFLO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XTSLABlackrock Cash Funds: Treasury, Sl Agency Shares | 0.65% | 0.01% | 0.64% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SGOV and TFLO 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, SGOV or TFLO?
SGOV has an expense ratio of 0.09% while TFLO charges 0.15%. SGOV is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SGOV or TFLO?
Over the past year SGOV returned +3.76% vs +3.98% for TFLO, so TFLO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), SGOV annualized +2.97% vs +3.05% for TFLO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SGOV or TFLO?
SGOV has been the more volatile fund at 0.7% annualized versus 0.6% for TFLO. Worst drawdown: SGOV -0.3% vs TFLO -0.1%.
Should I hold both SGOV and TFLO?
SGOV and TFLO 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, SGOV or TFLO?
SGOV yields 3.79% while TFLO yields 3.78%, so SGOV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is TFLO better than SGOV?
SGOV has a lower expense ratio. TFLO 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.