What do the expense ratios for BND and TLT indicate?

BND has an expense ratio of 0.03%, while TLT has 0.15%. This means TLT's fee is higher by 0.12 percentage points. Over time, even small fee differences can affect net returns, as fees are deducted from the fund's assets annually.

How does the asset size of BND compare to TLT?

BND holds $162.5 billion in net assets, significantly larger than TLT's $46.7 billion. Larger asset bases can contribute to better liquidity and potentially lower trading costs, though these are general characteristics.

What does 'tracking' mean in the context of these ETFs?

Tracking refers to how closely an ETF replicates its underlying index. For BND, the tracked index is not available, and the same applies to TLT. Without specific index data, understanding exact tracking methods requires additional research beyond the provided information.

How do the dividend yields of BND and TLT differ?

BND has a dividend yield of 4.10%, whereas TLT yields 4.76%. A higher yield typically indicates greater income distribution, but it doesn't guarantee total returns. Investors should consider yield in relation to the fund's risk profile and expense ratio.

What types of bonds do BND and TLT primarily invest in?

BND focuses on intermediate core bonds, covering a broader range of debt. TLT invests exclusively in long-duration US Treasuries. The difference means BND might offer more diversified bond exposure, while TLT provides targeted access to long-term government debt.

Are there any shared top holdings between BND and TLT?

The data shows no shared top-10 holdings between BND and TLT. This suggests their portfolios are constructed differently, with BND likely holding a wider variety of bonds and TLT focusing solely on long-term US Treasuries.

How do the inception dates of BND and TLT compare?

BND was launched on April 3, 2007, while TLT started on July 22, 2002. TLT has a longer track record, potentially offering more historical performance data for investors to analyse, though past performance doesn't predict future results.

What is the sector weighting situation for both funds?

Sector weights are not available for either BND or TLT. This means investors cannot directly assess sector allocation from the provided data and would need to consult additional sources for a detailed breakdown of each fund's holdings.

What is the importance of top holdings in evaluating these ETFs?

Top holdings reveal what percentage of a fund's assets is dedicated to specific securities, helping gauge concentration risk. Since top holdings are unavailable for BND and TLT, investors need to seek alternative analyses to understand the exact composition.

How might investors assess goal fit between BND and TLT?

BND, with its broader exposure to intermediate core bonds, might suit those seeking general fixed-income diversification. TLT, with its focus on long-term Treasuries, is often associated with hedging against market volatility or betting on interest rate declines.

This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always conduct independent research and consider consulting with a qualified professional before making investment decisions.

BND vs TLT

Two funds, one decision: we compare cost, performance and what each ETF actually holds in September 2026.

Compare the Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) and the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT). This page outlines their expense ratios, holdings, dividends, and index focus to help you understand how each fund tracks the market. Educational content, not financial advice.

Fund Snapshot

Key Fund Metrics

BND

Metric

TLT

0.03%

Expense Ratio

0.15%

4.10%

Dividend Yield

4.76%

$162.51B

Net Assets

$46.71B

15,000

Holdings

Apr 3, 2007

Inception Date

Jul 22, 2002

–

Index Tracked

–

Intermediate Core Bond

Fund Category

Long Government

BND costs about $12.00 less per year for every $10,000 invested.

Shared Top Holdings

These funds do not share any of their top holdings.

Discover More Comparisons

BND vs SCHO

Compare BND and SCHO ETFs. Review fees, holdings, dividends, and tracking. Both have 0.03% expense ratios. Educational content, not financial advice.

BND vs FBND

Compare BND and FBND on fees, dividends and holdings. BND has a 0.03% expense ratio and 4.10% yield, while FBND charges 0.36% with a 4.77% yield.

BND vs BNDW

Compare BND and BNDW ETFs. Review expense ratios, dividend yields, tracking methods and holdings availability for factual investment analysis.

Investment Analysis

BND

Pros

,
BND features a 0.03% expense ratio and 4.10% yield
BND offers $162.5 billion in assets with 0.03% expense ratio and 4.10% yield

Considerations

,
BND has no sector weights available
BND lacks top holding details and index data

TLT

Pros

,
TLT yields 4.76% with 0.15% fee
TLT yields 4.76% with 0.15% fee and $46.7bn assets

Considerations

,
TLT lacks index and holding details
TLT holds only long-duration US Treasuries

About BND and TLT

BND (BND)

The Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) is designed to track the performance of a broad, investment-grade U.S. bond market index. With an intermediate core bond focus, it holds over 15,000 securities, including U.S. Treasuries, government-backed mortgages, and corporate bonds. This extensive diversification aims to mitigate the impact of any single credit default. Investors often view BND as a foundational income component for balanced portfolios, seeking lower volatility compared to equities. The fund carries a minimal expense ratio of 0.03%, helping to preserve returns. While it currently offers a yield of approximately 4.10%, potential investors should remember that bond prices typically move inversely to interest rates. If rates rise, the fund's value may decline. Conversely, falling rates often support bond prices. BND provides a convenient way to access the fixed-income market, though returns are not guaranteed, and capital is at risk.

TLT (TLT)

The iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) offers investors exposure to U.S. government bonds with maturities of 20 years or longer. As a long-term government bond fund, it is often influenced significantly by interest rate changes and economic outlooks. When interest rates fall, bond prices generally rise, and vice versa. With a modest expense ratio of 0.15% and net assets of USD 46.71 billion, it is a widely traded vehicle for those looking to diversify beyond equities. The fund holds 49 underlying assets and has an inception date of July 2002. It currently provides a dividend yield of approximately 4.76%. Investors should note that the value of this fund can fluctuate due to changes in long-term interest rates and inflation expectations, meaning returns are not guaranteed. It suits those seeking potential income or diversification, though it carries risks related to interest rate sensitivity.

Buy BND or TLT in Nemo

🆓

Zero Commission

Trade stocks, ETFs, and more with zero commission. Keep more of your returns.

🔒

Trusted & Regulated

Part of Exinity Group 2015, serving over a million customers globally.

💰

6% Interest on Cash

Earn 6% AER on uninvested cash with daily interest payments.

BND vs TLT

Fund Snapshot