ESBG vs. BIL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ESBG (First Trust Enhanced Stocks, Bonds & Gold ETF) and BIL (SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ESBG is a Tactical Allocation fund actively managed by First Trust, while BIL is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg 1-3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index. ESBG is actively managed, while BIL is passively managed. At a correlation of -0.18, they often move in opposite directions. ESBG charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.14%/yr for BIL.

Performance

ESBG vs. BIL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Enhanced Stocks, Bonds & Gold ETF (ESBG) and SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (BIL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESBG achieves a 5.13% return, which is significantly higher than BIL's 1.49% return.

ESBG

• 1D: -1.16%
• 1M: 1.36%
• YTD: 5.13%
• 6M: 6.51%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BIL

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: 1.49%
• 6M: 1.77%
• 1Y: 3.87%
• 3Y*: 4.64%
• 5Y*: 3.41%
• 10Y*: 2.18%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ESBG vs. BIL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ESBG First Trust Enhanced Stocks, Bonds & Gold ETF	5.13%	5.72%
BIL SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF	1.49%	0.45%

Correlation

The correlation between ESBG and BIL is -0.18, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 20, 2025	-0.18

Return for Risk

ESBG vs. BIL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

BIL

BIL Risk / Return Rank: 100
BIL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
BIL Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
BIL Omega Ratio Rank: 100
BIL Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
BIL Martin Ratio Rank: 100

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ESBG vs. BIL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Enhanced Stocks, Bonds & Gold ETF (ESBG) and SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (BIL). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ESBG	BIL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	19.71	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	13.16	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	8.52	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.88	2.78	-1.90

Drawdowns

ESBG vs. BIL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESBG drawdown since its inception was -18.84%, which is greater than BIL's maximum drawdown of -0.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESBG and BIL.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESBG	BIL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.84%	-0.78%	-18.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-0.01%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-0.01%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-0.10%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-0.21%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.85%	0.00%	-10.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.24%	-0.26%	-5.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.00%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ESBG	BIL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.05%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	0.13%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.27%	0.20%	+25.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.27%	0.26%	+25.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.27%	0.26%	+25.01%

ESBG vs. BIL - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESBG has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than BIL's 0.14% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESBG vs. BIL - Dividend Comparison

ESBG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.58%, less than BIL's 3.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
BIL SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF	3.86%	4.13%	5.03%	4.92%	1.35%	0.00%	0.30%	2.05%	1.66%	0.68%	0.07%
ESBG First Trust Enhanced Stocks, Bonds & Gold ETF	0.58%	0.24%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESBG and BIL in my portfolio?

ESBG and BIL have a correlation of -0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ESBG or BIL?

On fees, BIL is cheaper at 0.14% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESBG or BIL?

BIL is cheaper with a 0.14% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for ESBG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ESBG or BIL?

BIL has the higher dividend yield at 3.86%, compared with 0.58% for ESBG.

What is the main difference between ESBG and BIL?

ESBG is categorized as Tactical Allocation, while BIL is Government Bonds. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for ESBG and 0.14% for BIL.