GOVT vs VTI
iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF compared with Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF on yield, payout growth, payment schedule, cost and risk.
GOVT
iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF
TTM yield · Monthly
VTI
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
TTM yield · Quarterly
Quick take
- GOVT yields more today: 3.70% vs 1.11% (forward).
- GOVT has grown its payout faster: 28.7%/yr vs 6.8%/yr over the last 5 years.
- GOVT pays every month; VTI pays every quarter.
- GOVT has the longer streak of annual increases: 5 years vs 1.
- Over the last year VTI delivered the higher total return: +19.9% vs +0.8% (price change plus payouts).
- VTI 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 | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $22.34 | $377.67 |
| TTM yield | 3.70% | 1.03% |
| Forward yield | 3.70% | 1.11% |
| Annual payout per share | $0.827 | $4.176 |
| Payment frequency | Monthly | Quarterly |
| Next ex-date | Oct 1, 2026 (est.) | Sep 25, 2026 (est.) |
| Expense ratio | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| 1-year payout growth | +5.2% | +5.1% |
| 5-year payout CAGR | +28.7% | +6.8% |
| Consecutive years of increases | 5 years | 1 year |
| Payout consistency (last 12) | 95/100 | 93/100 |
| 1-year total return | +0.8% | +19.9% |
| 1-year price return | -2.8% | +18.7% |
| Size (market cap / AUM) | 41.8B | 2.3T |
| Years paying | 14.4 | 25.2 |
| Sector / category | Intermediate Government | Large Blend |
✓ 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 | VTI | |
|---|---|---|
| Shares | 447.6 | 26.5 |
| Income per year | $370 | $111 |
| Income per month (avg) | $31 | $9 |
At forward yields, before taxes. Model GOVT · Model VTI
Next payments
| Ex-date | Pay date | Per share | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| GOVT Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 15, 2026 | $0.0689 | Est. |
| GOVT Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | $0.0689 | Est. |
| GOVT Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 14, 2026 | $0.0689 | Est. |
| VTI Sep 25, 2026 | Oct 9, 2026 | $1.044 | Est. |
| VTI Dec 25, 2026 | Jan 8, 2027 | $1.044 | Est. |
| VTI Mar 26, 2027 | Apr 9, 2027 | $1.044 | Est. |
Annual payouts per share
GOVTVTI
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 VTI?
GOVT currently has the higher trailing yield: GOVT yields 3.70% and VTI yields 1.03%. Yield changes daily with price, so check the live figures above.
How often do GOVT and VTI pay?
GOVT pays every month and VTI pays every quarter. GOVT's next ex-date is Oct 1, 2026 and VTI's is Sep 25, 2026.
Which has grown its dividend faster, GOVT or VTI?
GOVT has grown its payout faster: 28.7%/yr vs 6.8%/yr over the last 5 years.
Is GOVT or VTI better for income?
It depends on what you are optimising for. GOVT and VTI 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.