GBND vs MGOV
Goldman Sachs Core Bond ETF vs First Trust Intermediate Government Opportunities ETF
Which is better, GBND or MGOV?
Nearly the same fund. GBND costs less.
GBND has a lower expense ratio. GBND led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | GBND | MGOV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25%Best | 0.50% |
| AUM | $601M | $97M |
| Dividend Yield | 4.01% | 5.00% |
| Holdings | 747 | 406 |
| YTD Return | -2.40%Best | -2.85% |
| 1Y Return | -2.18%Best | -3.14% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +4.89% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.0%Best | 5.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -4.9%Best | -6.3% |
| $10,000 over 1.3 years | $10,090Best | $10,075 |
| Fund Family | Goldman Sachs Asset Management | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Inception | Jun 24, 2025 | Aug 2, 2023 |
Not shown on this pair: 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight, Style.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.3 years).
GBND vs MGOV growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 1.3 years both funds cover.
GBND vs MGOV Performance
Goldman Sachs Core Bond ETF (GBND) is an ETF from Goldman Sachs Asset Management and First Trust Intermediate Government Opportunities ETF (MGOV) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year GBND returned -2.18% while MGOV returned -3.14%. Year to date, GBND is down 2.40% versus a loss of 2.85% for MGOV.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MGOV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 5.2% compared with 4.0% for GBND. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -4.9% for GBND and -6.3% for MGOV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.99. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GBND charges 0.25% per year while MGOV charges 0.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $50 annually, a gap of $25 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GBND currently yields 4.01% against 5.00% for MGOV.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 480 holdings in GBND and 10 in MGOV, totalling 52.2% and 10.2% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 5 positions appear in both.
5 positions in common, counted across the 480 positions we hold weights for in GBND and 10 in MGOV, against full books of 747 and 406.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GBND | Weight in MGOV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FNCL 5.5 9/11Umbs 30Yr Tba(Reg A) 5.5 Sep 14, 2020 | 0.00% | 5.35% | 5.35% |
| G2SF 5 9/11Government National Mortgage Association 09/20/2053 5 | 0.62% | 0.26% | 0.36% |
| FNCL 2.5 9/11Umbs 30Yr Tba(Reg A) 2.5 Sep 14, 2020 | 0.00% | 0.85% | 0.85% |
| G2SF 4.5 9/11Ginnie Mae 4.5 | 0.30% | 0.05% | 0.25% |
| FNCL 4.5 10/11Fannie Mae Or Freddie Mac Tba 4.50% Due 04/01/2056 | 1.04% | -1.47% | 2.51% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GBND and MGOV you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, GBND or MGOV?
GBND has an expense ratio of 0.25% while MGOV charges 0.50%. GBND is the cheaper option, by $25 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GBND or MGOV?
Over the past year GBND returned -2.18% vs -3.14% for MGOV, so GBND leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), GBND annualized +0.69% vs +0.58% for MGOV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GBND or MGOV?
MGOV has been the more volatile fund at 5.2% annualized versus 4.0% for GBND. Worst drawdown: GBND -4.9% vs MGOV -6.3%.
Should I hold both GBND and MGOV?
GBND and MGOV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, GBND or MGOV?
GBND yields 4.01% while MGOV yields 5.00%, so MGOV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is MGOV better than GBND?
GBND has a lower expense ratio. GBND led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.