GOVT vs VGIT
iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF compared with Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury Index Fund ETF Shares on yield, payout growth, payment schedule, cost and risk.
GOVT
iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF
TTM yield · Monthly
VGIT
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury Index Fund ETF Shares
TTM yield · Monthly
Quick take
- VGIT yields more today: 3.99% vs 3.75% (forward).
- Both pay every month.
- Over the last year GOVT delivered the higher total return: -0.4% vs -0.6% (price change plus payouts).
- VGIT is cheaper to own: 0.03% vs 0.05% expense ratio.
Generated from the latest data on both pages. Not a recommendation.
Side by side
| Metric | GOVT | VGIT |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $22.20 | $57.40 |
| TTM yield | 3.75% | 3.99% |
| Forward yield | 3.75% | 3.99% |
| Annual payout per share | $0.833 | $2.292 |
| Payment frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Next ex-date | Oct 31, 2026 (est.) | Oct 31, 2026 (est.) |
| Expense ratio | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| 1-year payout growth | — | — |
| 5-year payout CAGR | — | — |
| Consecutive years of increases | — | — |
| Payout consistency (last 12) | 95/100 | 96/100 |
| 1-year total return | -0.4% | -0.6% |
| 1-year price return | -4.0% | -4.4% |
| Size (market cap / AUM) | 41.4B | 47.8B |
| Years paying | 14.6 | 16.8 |
| Sector / category | Intermediate Government | Intermediate Government |
✓ marks the more favourable figure where one exists (higher yield, growth, streak, consistency, return and size; lower cost, payout ratio and risk).
$10,000 invested today
| GOVT | VGIT | |
|---|---|---|
| Shares | 450.5 | 174.2 |
| Income per year | $375 | $399 |
| Income per month (avg) | $31 | $33 |
At forward yields, before taxes. Model GOVT · Model VGIT
Next payments
| Ex-date | Pay date | Per share | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| GOVT Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | $0.0694 | Est. |
| GOVT Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 14, 2026 | $0.0694 | Est. |
| GOVT Dec 30, 2026 | Jan 13, 2027 | $0.0694 | Est. |
| VGIT Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 2, 2026 | $0.191 | Est. |
| VGIT Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 2, 2026 | $0.191 | Est. |
| VGIT Dec 30, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | $0.191 | Est. |
Annual payouts per share
GOVTVGIT
Regular payments only; the current year is year to date. Per-share amounts are not directly comparable when share prices differ, so read this chart for growth trends.
FAQ
Which has the higher dividend yield, GOVT or VGIT?
VGIT currently has the higher trailing yield: GOVT yields 3.75% and VGIT yields 3.99%. Yield changes daily with price, so check the live figures above.
How often do GOVT and VGIT pay?
GOVT pays every month and VGIT pays every month. GOVT's next ex-date is Oct 31, 2026 and VGIT's is Oct 31, 2026.
Is GOVT or VGIT better for income?
It depends on what you are optimising for. GOVT and VGIT differ in yield, growth, payment schedule and risk profile; the table above puts every metric side by side so you can weigh them for your own goals. This page is data, not advice.