ETF Comparison
BND vs SHY: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?
A head-to-head comparison of Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF and iShares 1-3 Year Treasury Bond ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
Data updated April 5, 2026
Side-by-side snapshot
| BND | SHY | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | iShares 1-3 Year Treasury Bond ETF |
| Issuer | Vanguard | iShares |
| Price | $73.42 | $82.32 |
| Distribution yield | 3.82% | 3.76% |
| Expense ratio | 0.03% | 0.15% |
| AUM | $395.3B | $24.9B |
| Distribution frequency | Monthly | — |
| Underlying index | Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index | — |
| Objective | Track the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index for broad U.S. bond exposure. | Tracks the ICE U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Bond Index. |
| Asset class | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Inception date | 04/03/2007 | — |
| Beta | 0.98 | 0.25 |
| Last dividend | $0.25 | $0.25 |
| Ex-dividend date | 04/01/2026 | 04/01/2026 |
Visual comparison
Key metrics
Projected income on $10K
Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Quick verdict
BND (Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF) and SHY (iShares 1-3 Year Treasury Bond ETF) are both popular monthly-pay track the bloomberg u.s. aggregate float adjusted index for broad u.s. bond exposure. ETFs, but they take different approaches.
BND offers the higher yield at 3.82% vs 3.76% for SHY. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
BND is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.03% compared to 0.15%.
BND is the larger fund by assets ($395.3B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, BND would generate roughly $31.83/month while SHY would produce $31.33/month at current distribution rates. Both pay monthly distributions.
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, BND would cost approximately $30 in fees vs $150 for SHY (simplified, not compounded). The $120.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
Strategy & risk
BND tracks Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index with a track the bloomberg u.s. aggregate float adjusted index for broad u.s. bond exposure. approach, while SHY tracks — using a tracks the ice u.s. treasury 1-3 year bond index. strategy. Beta is 0.98 for BND and 0.25 for SHY, indicating SHY is less volatile relative to the market.
Fund details
BND is managed by Vanguard (launched 04/03/2007) with $395.3B in assets. SHY is managed by iShares (launched —) with $24.9B in assets.
Income calculator
See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.
Frequently asked questions
Is BND or SHY better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. BND currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.
What is the difference between BND and SHY?
BND (Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF) tracks Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index with a track the bloomberg u.s. aggregate float adjusted index for broad u.s. bond exposure. strategy, while SHY (iShares 1-3 Year Treasury Bond ETF) tracks — with a tracks the ice u.s. treasury 1-3 year bond index. approach. They are issued by Vanguard and iShares respectively.
Can I hold both BND and SHY?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify across different strategies and underlying indexes. This can reduce concentration risk while maintaining a strong income stream.
Which has lower fees, BND or SHY?
BND has an expense ratio of 0.03% while SHY charges 0.15%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in BND vs SHY generate?
At current yields, $10,000 in BND would generate roughly $31.83 per month ($382.00 annually). The same in SHY would produce about $31.33 per month ($376.00 annually).
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