The Best Government Bonds ETFs
The table below compares the performance and other essential indicators like dividend yield and expense ratio of Government Bonds ETFs.
Government Bonds ETFs are exchange-traded funds (ETF) investments in bonds issued by national governments. These bonds are considered among the safest investments as they are issued by sovereign nations and are typically backed by the full faith and credit of the issuing government. Government Bonds ETFs usually invest in a diversified portfolio of government bonds, including bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury, German Bunds, U.K. Gilts, and other sovereign bonds. In addition, the bonds in the portfolio may have different maturities and credit ratings, which can give investors exposure to different parts of the bond market.
Government bonds ETFs are generally considered to be low-risk investments. They typically have lower returns than other types of bond ETFs, such as corporate, high-yield, or emerging market bonds, but they also carry less risk. As a result, government bonds ETFs can be attractive for investors looking to preserve capital and generate income.
- Number of ETFs
- 87
- Avg. Expense Ratio
- 0.13%
- Avg. Dividend Yield
- 4.78%
- Avg. 1 Year Return
- 3.17%
- Median Risk/Return Score
- 25 / 100
The Best Government Bonds ETFs
5 results
| Symbol | Full Name | Category | Inception | Expense Ratio | YTD Return | 10Y Return (Annualized) | Dividend Yield | Risk / Return Rank | Max. Drawdown | Sharpe Ratio | Sortino Ratio | Omega Ratio | Martin Ratio | Calmar Ratio | Ulcer Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton U.S. Bond YIELD MAXIMIZER ETF (CAD Hedge... | Government Bonds, Derivative Income | Aug 21, 2024 | 0.45% | -0.06% | — | 11.31% | 15 | ||||||||
| Harvest Premium Yield 7-10 Year Treasury ETF - Cla... | Government Bonds, Derivative Income | Jan 11, 2024 | 0.45% | -1.11% | — | 9.36% | 17 | ||||||||
| iShares 20+ Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index ETF (CAD... | Government Bonds, Long-Term Bond | Feb 7, 2023 | 0.18% | -0.87% | — | 4.61% | 11 | ||||||||
| iShares 20+ Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index ETF | Government Bonds, Long-Term Bond | Feb 7, 2023 | 0.18% | 1.24% | — | 4.95% | 15 | ||||||||
| BMO Long-Term US Treasury Bond Index ETF | Government Bonds, Long-Term Bond | Feb 28, 2017 | 0.23% | 1.22% | — | 3.16% | 17 |
Best Government Bonds ETFs by Risk/Return Score
The top Government Bonds ETFs by PortfoliosLab Risk/Return Score are BIL (100) and SHV (100).
The score measures risk-adjusted performance over the past year, accounting for volatility, drawdown, and return consistency.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF | 100 | 45.99B | May 2007 | |
| iShares 0-1 Year Treasury Bond ETF | 100 | 20.73B | Jan 2007 | |
| Goldman Sachs Access Treasury 0-1 Year ETF | 100 | 7.62B | Sep 2016 | |
| WisdomTree Floating Rate Treasury Fund | 100 | 17.01B | Feb 2014 | |
| iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF | 100 | 6.60B | Feb 2014 |
Best-Performing Government Bonds ETFs Over 5 Years
The top Government Bonds ETFs is USFR (3.67%).
Across the lineup, Government Bonds ETFs show an average 1-year return of 3.17% and an average 5-year return of -1.20%, providing a clearer view of performance across different investment horizons.
| Symbol | Name | Return 5Y | AUM | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WisdomTree Floating Rate Treasury Fund | 3.67% | 17.01B | Feb 2014 | |
| iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF | 3.64% | 6.60B | Feb 2014 | |
| SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF | 3.42% | 45.99B | May 2007 | |
| Goldman Sachs Access Treasury 0-1 Year ETF | 3.32% | 7.62B | Sep 2016 | |
| iShares 0-1 Year Treasury Bond ETF | 3.32% | 20.73B | Jan 2007 |
Lowest-Cost Government Bonds ETFs
The top Government Bonds ETFs is SCHQ (0.03%).
With an average expense ratio of 0.13%, Government Bonds ETFs remain a low-cost option for investors seeking broad market exposure, sector allocations, and diversified portfolio building blocks.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF | 0.03% | 787.62M | Oct 2019 | |
| SPDR Portfolio Long Term Treasury ETF | 0.03% | 10.14B | May 2007 | |
| Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF | 0.03% | 14.30B | Nov 2009 | |
| SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF | 0.03% | 5.90B | Nov 2011 | |
| BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Tr... | 0.03% | 748.21M | Sep 2022 |
Highest-Yield Government Bonds ETFs
The top Government Bonds ETFs is LIFT (31.06%).
Across the lineup, Government Bonds ETFs show an average dividend yield of 4.78%, offering investors a steady stream of income through regular dividend payments, making them attractive for income-seeking portfolios.
| Symbol | Name | Dividend Yield | AUM | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LifeX 2028 Income Bucket ETF | 31.06% | — | Sep 2025 | |
| LifeX 2030 Income Bucket ETF | 17.98% | — | Sep 2025 | |
| Global X Treasury Bond Enhanced Income ETF | 15.74% | — | Jul 2025 | |
| LifeX 2050 Longevity Income ETF | 13.60% | — | Jan 2024 | |
| Amplify Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Target High Income... | 13.19% | — | Oct 2024 |
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Risk vs. Return Scatterplot
The Risk vs. Return Scatterplot allows you to quickly compare funds, stocks, and ETFs in one view. It displays the yearly return of an instrument on one axis and the risk (volatility) on the other.
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5 Years