SGOV vs SPHY: ETF Comparison
Compare SGOV (iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF) and SPHY (State Street SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF) side by side by average annual total return since inception — one fair number covering price and dividends.
Updated Sep 15, 2026
*For entertainment purposes ONLY! NOT financial advice! Data may be inaccurate.*
SGOV vs SPHY: The Verdict
On average annual total return since inception, SPHY edges out SGOV: +4.9% per year vs +2.9% per year — a gap of 1.9 percentage points annually. Total return counts both price movement and dividends, so this is the whole picture of each fund's performance, not just yield.
Keep the track records in mind: SPHY has been trading for 14.2 years, while SGOV has only 6.3 years of history. A shorter track record means the younger fund's average has been shaped by fewer market environments — one strong or weak stretch moves the needle more.
Income investors will notice the yield gap: SPHY currently yields 7.54% vs SGOV's 3.50%. Higher yield often comes with trade-offs in price appreciation, which is exactly why total return is the fairer scoreboard.
SGOV vs SPHY Side-by-Side Data
| Symbol | Name | Provider | Inception | Age | Total Return | Avg. Annual Return | Yield | Expense Ratio | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SGOV | iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | iShares | 5/26/2020 | 6.3y | +20.0% | +2.9% | 3.50% | 0.09% | C |
| SPHY | State Street SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF | State Street | 6/18/2012 | 14.2y | +97.0% | +4.9% | 7.54% | 0.05% | D |
SGOV vs SPHY — Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, SGOV or SPHY?
By average annual total return since inception, SPHY edges out SGOV (+4.9% vs +2.9% per year). "Better" depends on your goals — yield, payout frequency, and strategy differ between the two funds.
What is the difference between SGOV and SPHY?
SGOV (iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF) is offered by iShares and currently yields 3.50%. SPHY (State Street SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF) is offered by State Street and yields 7.54%. Their average annual total returns since inception are +2.9% and +4.9% respectively.
Does SPHY pay a higher dividend than SGOV?
SPHY currently yields 7.54% and SGOV yields 3.50%. Remember that yield alone doesn't capture performance — total return (price + dividends) is the fairer comparison.