SDY vs SGOV: ETF Comparison
Compare SDY (SPDR S&P Dividend ETF) and SGOV (iShares 0-3 Month Treasury 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.*
SDY vs SGOV: The Verdict
On average annual total return since inception, SDY holds a clear edge over SGOV: +8.9% per year vs +2.9% per year — a gap of 6.0 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: SDY has been trading for 20.9 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.
SDY vs SGOV Side-by-Side Data
| Symbol | Name | Provider | Inception | Age | Total Return | Avg. Annual Return | Yield | Expense Ratio | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SDY | SPDR S&P Dividend ETF | State Street | 11/8/2005 | 20.9y | +492.0% | +8.9% | 2.6% | 0.35% | A |
| SGOV | iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | iShares | 5/26/2020 | 6.3y | +20.0% | +2.9% | 3.50% | 0.09% | C |
SDY vs SGOV — Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, SDY or SGOV?
By average annual total return since inception, SDY holds a clear edge over SGOV (+8.9% 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 SDY and SGOV?
SDY (SPDR S&P Dividend ETF) is offered by State Street and currently yields 2.6%. SGOV (iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF) is offered by iShares and yields 3.50%. Their average annual total returns since inception are +8.9% and +2.9% respectively.
Does SDY pay a higher dividend than SGOV?
SDY currently yields 2.6% and SGOV yields 3.50%. Remember that yield alone doesn't capture performance — total return (price + dividends) is the fairer comparison.