Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: BIL is ratedTier 1 (Cornerstone)while TRIL is ratedTier 4 (Harvest).BIL is structurally lower risk than TRIL.
| Metric | BIL | TRIL |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 4.59% | 0.00% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | -0.19% | 0.00% |
| Max Drawdown | -0.54% | 0.00% |
| Beta | - | - |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
BIL (SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF) is a conservative dividend growth fund managed by SPDR. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $42.7B in assets under management, this fund has been operational since its inception.
Strategy: Focuses on quality dividend-paying companies with strong balance sheets and consistent payout histories.
TRIL (Defiance Trillion Dollar Club Index ETF) is a options-based income fund managed by Defiance. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $1.0M in assets under management, this fund has been operational since its inception.
Strategy: Generates enhanced income through covered call options on equity holdings, trading upside potential for premium income.
In the head-to-head battle of BIL vs TRIL, the choice depends on your specific goal. BIL wins for Immediate Income with a 4.78% yield. However, BIL is the better choice for Long-Term Growth due to superior total return performance.
Which fund is safer for retirement income? We analyze the yield sustainability and structural risk.
The Bottom Line Question: If you invest $100,000 today, how much cash will you actually receive each month? Here's the exact math:
BIL
Annual Yield: 4.78%
$398/mo
($4,779/year)
Frequency: monthly
TRIL
Annual Yield: 0.00%
$0/mo
($0/year)
Frequency: Monthly
Income Gap: BIL generates $4,779/year more than TRIL on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $95,581 in additional cash flow (before reinvestment).
Context Matters: Higher income doesn't always mean better investment. Review the "Yield Trap" and "Total Return" sections above—you want income that's sustainable, not just headline-grabbing.
Historical data reveals how these funds behave during market stress. BIL has delivered a superior Total Return of 4.59% over the past year.
What is an Expense Ratio? The annual fee charged by the fund, expressed as a percentage of assets. It's deducted daily from the fund's NAV, making it invisible to most investors—but it compounds over time.
BIL (LOWER COST)
0.135%
Annual expense ratio
TRIL (HIGHER COST)
0.490%
Annual expense ratio
20-YEAR FEE IMPACT SIMULATION ($100,000 INITIAL INVESTMENT)
The Hidden Cost of "Just 0.35%": That seemingly small difference of 0.355% annually becomes $7,094 in lost wealth over 20 years. Factor in compound growth, and you're giving up ~$20,295 in potential portfolio value.
💡 Cost Efficiency Winner: BIL is the clear winner for long-term buy-and-hold investors. Lower fees mean more capital compounds in YOUR account, not the fund manager's.
Every investor has a unique risk profile. Use our Portfolio Intelligence tool to see the impact of adding these ETFs to your holdings.