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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
88
Avg. Expense Ratio
0.13%
Avg. Dividend Yield
4.74%
Avg. 1 Year Return
3.17%
Median Risk/Return Score
25 / 100
The Best Government Bonds ETFs

88 results

SymbolFull NameCategoryInceptionExpense RatioYTD Return10Y Return (Annualized)Dividend Yield

Risk / Return Rank

Max. DrawdownSharpe RatioSortino RatioOmega RatioMartin RatioCalmar RatioUlcer Index
iShares iBonds Dec 2024 Term Treasury ETFGovernment BondsFeb 25, 20200.07%0.00%
iShares iBonds Dec 2025 Term Treasury ETFGovernment BondsFeb 25, 20200.07%
0.00%
2.08%
99
iShares iBonds Dec 2026 Term Treasury ETFGovernment BondsFeb 25, 20200.07%
1.51%
3.96%
99
iShares iBonds Dec 2027 Term Treasury ETFGovernment BondsFeb 25, 20200.07%
0.92%
3.83%
96
iShares iBonds Dec 2028 Term Treasury ETFGovernment BondsFeb 25, 20200.07%
0.20%
3.81%
66
iShares iBonds Dec 2029 Term Treasury ETFGovernment BondsFeb 25, 20200.07%
-0.26%
3.81%
40
iShares iBonds Dec 2030 Term Treasury ETFGovernment BondsJul 14, 20200.07%
-0.60%
3.81%
28
iShares iBonds Dec 2031 Term Treasury ETFGovernment BondsJul 13, 20210.07%
-0.77%
3.98%
25
iShares iBonds Dec 2034 Term Treasury ETFGovernment BondsJun 11, 20240.07%
-0.99%
4.07%
21
iShares iBonds Dec 2035 Term Treasury ETFGovernment BondsMar 25, 20250.07%
-1.10%
3.74%
20
iShares iBonds Dec 2036 Term Treasury ETFGovernment BondsMar 25, 20260.07%0.67%
iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETFGovernment BondsJul 26, 20020.15%
-1.06%
0.60%
3.92%
20
iShares 3-7 Year Treasury Bond ETFGovernment BondsJan 11, 20070.15%
-0.71%
1.25%
3.65%
26
iShares iBonds 1-5 Year Treasury Ladder ETFGovernment Bonds, Short-Term BondNov 7, 20240.07%
0.62%
4.09%
48
LifeX 2050 Longevity Income ETFGovernment BondsJan 8, 20240.25%
-0.82%
13.60%
16
LifeX 2055 Longevity Income ETFGovernment BondsJan 8, 20240.25%
-0.80%
11.04%
15
LifeX 2060 Longevity Income ETFGovernment BondsJan 8, 20240.25%
-0.77%
6.48%
16
LifeX 2065 Longevity Income ETFGovernment Bonds, Long-Term BondJan 3, 20250.25%
-0.71%
8.32%
14
LifeX Durable Income ETFGovernment BondsJan 9, 20240.25%
-0.72%
8.30%
14
LifeX 2028 Income Bucket ETFGovernment BondsSep 23, 20250.25%
0.70%
31.06%

Rows per page

21–40 of 88

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.

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.

Lowest-Cost Government Bonds ETFs

The top Government Bonds ETFs is SPTS (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.

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 4.74%, offering investors a steady stream of income through regular dividend payments, making them attractive for income-seeking portfolios.

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Top ETFs Comparisons

Compare the top ETFs symbols based on PortfoliosLab usage data.

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.

0%Annualized Volatility0%Annualized Return

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