MGOV vs. IBTE

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

MGOV (First Trust Intermediate Government Opportunities ETF) and IBTE (iShares iBonds Dec 2024 Term Treasury ETF) are both Government Bonds funds. MGOV is actively managed, while IBTE is passively managed. MGOV charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for IBTE.

Performance

MGOV vs. IBTE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Intermediate Government Opportunities ETF (MGOV) and iShares iBonds Dec 2024 Term Treasury ETF (IBTE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

MGOV

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: -0.05%
• YTD: 0.34%
• 6M: 0.29%
• 1Y: 6.09%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IBTE

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

MGOV vs. IBTE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
MGOV First Trust Intermediate Government Opportunities ETF	-0.49%
IBTE iShares iBonds Dec 2024 Term Treasury ETF	0.00%

Return for Risk

MGOV vs. IBTE — Risk / Return Rank

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

MGOV

MGOV Risk / Return Rank: 37
MGOV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
MGOV Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
MGOV Omega Ratio Rank: 36
MGOV Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
MGOV Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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.

MGOV vs. IBTE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Intermediate Government Opportunities ETF (MGOV) and iShares iBonds Dec 2024 Term Treasury ETF (IBTE). 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.

	MGOV	IBTE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.33	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.97	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.73	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.28	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MGOV	IBTE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.33	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.89	—	—

Drawdowns

MGOV vs. IBTE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MGOV drawdown since its inception was -6.11%, which is greater than IBTE's maximum drawdown of 0.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MGOV and IBTE.

Drawdown Indicators

	MGOV	IBTE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.11%	0.00%	-6.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.53%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.23%	0.00%	-2.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.62%	0.00%	-1.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.16%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	MGOV	IBTE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.71%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.22%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.64%	0.00%	+4.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.95%	0.00%	+5.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.95%	0.00%	+5.95%

MGOV vs. IBTE - Expense Ratio Comparison

MGOV has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than IBTE's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

MGOV vs. IBTE - Dividend Comparison

MGOV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.97%, while IBTE has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
IBTE iShares iBonds Dec 2024 Term Treasury ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
MGOV First Trust Intermediate Government Opportunities ETF	4.97%	4.95%	5.05%	1.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Which ETF is better, MGOV or IBTE?

On fees, IBTE is cheaper at 0.07% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, MGOV or IBTE?

IBTE is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for MGOV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MGOV or IBTE?

MGOV has the higher dividend yield at 4.97%, compared with 0.00% for IBTE.

What is the main difference between MGOV and IBTE?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for MGOV and 0.07% for IBTE.