TLT vs BND: Dividend Yield, Total Return & Fees Compared
iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETFVanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund ETF Shares
Data as of the close · refreshed automatically every trading day
TLT vs BND at a glance
This page compares iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) with Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund ETF Shares (BND) using prices and distributions through September 25, 2026. The numbers update automatically after each trading session.
With dividends reinvested, BND has led over the last 12 months at -0.96% versus -6.76% for TLT. TLT currently yields 4.90% (trailing 12-month) against 4.15% for BND. Across five years the total-return gap is -2.98% for BND vs -35.60% for TLT.
The higher-yielding fund (TLT) has trailed on 1-year total return. Yield only measures the income a fund pays; total return also counts the change in share price, so it is the fuller basis for comparing the two.
| Metric | TLT | BND |
|---|---|---|
| Last close | $79.32 | $70.63 |
| Dividend yield | 4.90% (TTM) | 4.15% (TTM) |
| Expense ratio | — | — |
| Pays | monthly | monthly |
| Dividends, last 12 months | $3.89 (12 payments) | $2.93 (12 payments) |
| Issuer | iShares | Vanguard |
| Inception | — | — |
Performance: TLT vs BND
Total return assumes every distribution is reinvested. Switch to price return to see the change in share price alone.
Total Return (%) · dividends reinvested · Sep 25, 2025 – Sep 25, 2026
Overview
Key fund stats as of the latest close.
Total returns
Price change plus dividends paid, by holding period. Best in each period is outlined.
Recent dividend payments
The latest 12 distributions per share for each fund, newest first.
| TLT | BND | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2026 | $0.315 | Sep 1, 2026 | $0.253 |
| Aug 3, 2026 | $0.330 | Aug 3, 2026 | $0.252 |
| Jul 1, 2026 | $0.318 | Jul 1, 2026 | $0.244 |
| Jun 1, 2026 | $0.336 | Jun 1, 2026 | $0.247 |
| May 1, 2026 | $0.315 | May 1, 2026 | $0.242 |
| Apr 1, 2026 | $0.345 | Apr 1, 2026 | $0.250 |
| Mar 2, 2026 | $0.301 | Mar 2, 2026 | $0.228 |
| Feb 2, 2026 | $0.332 | Feb 2, 2026 | $0.245 |
| Dec 19, 2025 | $0.342 | Dec 18, 2025 | $0.247 |
| Dec 1, 2025 | $0.321 | Dec 1, 2025 | $0.239 |
| Nov 3, 2025 | $0.325 | Nov 3, 2025 | $0.244 |
| Oct 1, 2025 | $0.310 | Oct 1, 2025 | $0.237 |
TLT vs BND: common questions
Which pays a higher dividend, TLT or BND?
As of September 25, 2026, TLT yields 4.90% (trailing 12-month) and BND yields 4.15% (trailing 12-month), so TLT currently pays the higher yield. A higher yield does not guarantee a higher total return.
Which has performed better, TLT or BND?
Over the past year with dividends reinvested, TLT returned -6.76% and BND returned -0.96%. Over five years, TLT returned -35.60% and BND returned -2.98%. Past performance does not predict future results.
What would $10,000 in TLT vs BND be worth after one year?
With dividends reinvested, $10,000 invested one year before September 25, 2026 would have grown to about $9,324 in TLT and $9,904 in BND.
How often do TLT and BND pay dividends?
TLT pays monthly (12 payments in the last 12 months) and BND pays monthly (12 payments).
Is TLT or BND the better investment?
It depends on your goals, time horizon and tax situation. Income-focused investors often weigh yield and payment frequency, while long-term investors usually compare total return and fees. Dividend Duel is an educational tool and does not provide investment advice.
Related comparisons
More side-by-side comparisons with TLT and BND.
Figures come from end-of-day prices and distributions and are recalculated after every trading session; see our methodology. This page is for education only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Read the full disclosure.