GOVT Stock: iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF Profile & Analysis (2026)
A broad-based exchange-traded fund providing exposure to the full spectrum of U.S. Treasury bonds maturing in one to thirty years. — Updated May 2026 with current AUM, expense ratio, holdings, and performance data.
The iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF (GOVT) offers investors a streamlined way to access the entire U.S. Treasury yield curve in a single fund. By holding a diversified portfolio of government obligations ranging from short-term notes to long-term bonds, GOVT serves as a foundational “core” holding for many fixed-income portfolios. Similar to other broad bond funds like the AGG Stock Profile, this ETF focuses on high credit quality and liquidity.
Managed by BlackRock, GOVT tracks the ICE U.S. Treasury Core Bond Index. This index includes nearly all fixed-rate Treasury securities, providing a neutral exposure to interest rate movements across the 1-30 year maturity spectrum. While it lacks the aggressive duration of long-term funds like the TLT Stock Profile, its intermediate-term profile offers a balance between yield potential and price volatility.
Key Takeaways — GOVT Stock
GOVT holds over 225 U.S. Treasury bonds across all maturities (1-30 years), offering a one-stop solution for government debt exposure.
With an expense ratio of just 0.05%, it is one of the most cost-efficient ways to build a defensive position in a portfolio.
The fund is backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, providing maximum safety against default risk compared to corporate bonds.
With an average duration of approximately 5.68 years, it has moderate sensitivity to interest rate changes, making it less volatile than long-bond funds.
GOVT — Live Price Chart
Real-time chart from TradingView.
GOVT ETF Vitals & Key Statistics
Core data as of May 2026.
| Data Point | Value | Data Point | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Name | iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF | Ticker | GOVT |
| Issuer | BlackRock (iShares) | Asset Class | Fixed Income (U.S. Treasuries) |
| Index Tracked | ICE U.S. Treasury Core Bond Index | Structure | ETF |
| Expense Ratio | 0.05% | AUM | ~$41B |
| Inception Date | February 14, 2012 | Exchange | AMEX |
| No. of Holdings | ~226 | Dividend Yield | 3.43% |
| 52-Week High | $23.37 | 52-Week Low | $22.51 |
| Avg Daily Volume | ~5-8M Shares | YTD Return | 0.0% |
| 1-Year Return | 3.6% | 5-Year Return | 0.4% |
| Category | Intermediate Government | Dividend Frequency | Monthly |
GOVT Top 10 Holdings (May 2026)
Largest positions by weight. Click columns to sort.
| Rank | Ticker | Company Name | Sector | Weight % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N/A | U.S. Treasury Note 4.625% 2026 | Treasury | 2.3% |
| 2 | N/A | U.S. Treasury Bond 4.5% 2033 | Treasury | 2.2% |
| 3 | N/A | U.S. Treasury Note 3.5% 2028 | Treasury | 2.2% |
| 4 | N/A | U.S. Treasury Note 4.125% 2030 | Treasury | 2.2% |
| 5 | N/A | U.S. Treasury Note 4.0% 2025 | Treasury | 2.2% |
| 6 | N/A | U.S. Treasury Bond 4.25% 2053 | Treasury | 2.2% |
| 7 | N/A | U.S. Treasury Note 3.875% 2027 | Treasury | 2.2% |
| 8 | N/A | U.S. Treasury Bond 3.0% 2048 | Treasury | 2.2% |
| 9 | N/A | U.S. Treasury Note 4.375% 2029 | Treasury | 2.2% |
| 10 | N/A | U.S. Treasury Note 2.75% 2032 | Treasury | 2.2% |
GOVT — Pros & Cons
✓ High Liquidity
With millions of shares traded daily, investors can easily buy or sell positions with minimal bid-ask spreads.
✗ Interest Rate Risk
Bond prices typically fall when interest rates rise; the fund’s intermediate duration makes it sensitive to Fed policy shifts.
✓ Monthly Income
GOVT pays out interest distributions every month, providing a consistent cash flow stream for income seekers.
✗ Lower Relative Yield
Because Treasuries are considered the safest assets, they offer lower yields compared to corporate or municipal bonds.
✓ Safe Haven Status
U.S. Treasuries often serve as a hedge during stock market crashes, as investors flock to “risk-free” government debt.
✗ Inflation Sensitivity
Unlike TIPS, the fixed coupons of the bonds in GOVT can lose purchasing power if inflation rises rapidly.
Who Should Consider GOVT?
Conservative investors seeking capital preservation and a “safe haven” during equity market volatility.
Growth-oriented investors or those needing high yields from junk bonds or leveraged instruments.
You want to simplify your bond ladder by owning the entire Treasury curve in a single ticker with low overhead.
Tax-deferred accounts like IRAs or 401ks are ideal, as Treasury interest is taxed as ordinary income at the federal level.
GOVT vs Similar ETFs
Key metrics comparison.
| ETF | Full Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Holdings | Div Yield | YTD | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GOVT ★ | iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF | 0.05% | $41B | 226 | 3.43% | 0.0% | Full-curve exposure |
| SPTB | SPDR Portfolio Treasury ETF | 0.03% | $8B | 230 | 3.45% | 0.0% | Lowest cost full-curve |
| VGIT | Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF | 0.04% | $22B | 100 | 3.30% | 0.1% | 3-10 year focus |
| IEF | iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF | 0.15% | $28B | 15 | 3.25% | -0.2% | Targeted 10-year exposure |
GOVT Technical Analysis
Real-time buy/sell signals.
GOVT — Risks & Considerations
Interest Rate Volatility
When the Federal Reserve raises interest rates, the market value of GOVT’s holdings typically declines.
Opportunity Cost
U.S. Treasuries may significantly underperform stocks or high-yield bonds during periods of strong economic expansion.
Duration Risk
The fund’s ~5.68 year duration means a 1% rate hike could cause a roughly 5.7% drop in the ETF’s share price.
Credit Quality Limitation
While safe, GOVT offers no exposure to credit spreads, meaning it won’t benefit from tightening corporate credit markets.