iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF (GOVT): Complete Beginner's Guide
Last updated: March 2026 • BlackRock • US Treasury
Expense Ratio
0.05%
AUM
$25.0B
Dividend Yield
3.20%
Inception
2012
Beginner Score
9.5/10
What is iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF?
GOVT tracks the ICE U.S. Treasury Core Bond Index, providing exposure to U.S. Treasury bonds across all maturities from short-term to long-term. It is a simple way to hold the safest bonds in the world, backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. The fund offers broad Treasury exposure in a single holding, making it easy to add government bond allocation to any portfolio.
GOVT is managed by BlackRock and has been available since 2012. With $25.0B in assets under management, it's a well-established fund with strong institutional backing. The fund charges an expense ratio of 0.05%, which means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $5 per year in management fees.
GOVT at a Glance — Key Metrics
| Expense Ratio | 0.05% |
| Total Holdings | 190 |
| P/E Ratio | N/A |
| Beta | 0.05 |
| Dividend Yield | 3.20% |
| AUM | $25.0B |
| Inception Year | 2012 |
| Issuer | BlackRock |
Top 10 Holdings in GOVT
GOVT holds 190 different securities. Here are the largest positions that make up the core of this fund:
| # | Company | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US Treasury 4.25% 02/15/2054 | T 4.25 2054 | 3.50% |
| 2 | US Treasury 4.625% 05/15/2054 | T 4.625 2054 | 3.20% |
| 3 | US Treasury 4.0% 11/15/2052 | T 4.0 2052 | 2.80% |
| 4 | US Treasury 3.625% 05/15/2053 | T 3.625 2053 | 2.60% |
| 5 | US Treasury 4.75% 11/15/2053 | T 4.75 2053 | 2.50% |
| 6 | US Treasury 4.5% 02/15/2044 | T 4.5 2044 | 2.20% |
| 7 | US Treasury 2.875% 05/15/2032 | T 2.875 2032 | 2.00% |
| 8 | US Treasury 4.125% 08/15/2053 | T 4.125 2053 | 1.90% |
| 9 | US Treasury 3.5% 02/15/2033 | T 3.5 2033 | 1.80% |
| 10 | US Treasury 4.0% 02/15/2034 | T 4.0 2034 | 1.70% |
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GOVT Performance History
Here's how GOVT has performed over different time periods. Remember that past performance doesn't guarantee future results, but it gives you a sense of the fund's track record:
YTD
0.50%
1 Year
3.00%
3 Year
-2.00%
5 Year
0.50%
10 Year
1.50%
Beginner Suitability Score: 9.5/10
Our proprietary Beginner Suitability Score evaluates ETFs based on five factors that matter most to new investors: fees, volatility, diversification, dividend history, and track record length.
GOVT scores 9.5/10 because it has very low fees, shows lower-than-average volatility, offers broad diversification across 190 holdings, and has been available since 2012, giving it a proven track record.
How to Buy GOVT — Step by Step
- Open a brokerage account — We recommend Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Vanguard for ETF investing. All offer $0 commissions on ETF trades.
- Fund your account — Transfer money from your bank. You can start with as little as $1 if your broker offers fractional shares.
- Search for "GOVT" — Use the search bar in your brokerage platform to find iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF.
- Place your order — Choose "Market Order" for simplicity or "Limit Order" if you want to set a specific price. Enter how many shares (or dollar amount) you want to buy.
- Set up automatic investing — Most brokers let you schedule recurring purchases (e.g., $100/month on the 1st). This is dollar cost averaging in action.
Dollar Cost Averaging Into GOVT
Here's what consistent monthly investing could look like over time, assuming an average annual return of 8% (approximate historical stock market average):
| Monthly | 10 Years | 20 Years | 30 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100/mo | $18,417 | $59,295 | $150,030 |
| $250/mo | $46,041 | $148,237 | $375,074 |
| $500/mo | $92,083 | $296,474 | $750,148 |
*Projections assume 8% average annual return with monthly compounding. Actual returns will vary. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
Fee impact: With GOVT's expense ratio of 0.05%, a $10,000 investment would lose approximately $430 to fees over 20 years compared to a zero-fee investment. This is a reasonable fee level for the value provided.
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Pros and Cons of GOVT
Pros
- ✓Backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government for maximum safety
- ✓Broad maturity coverage from short to long-term bonds in a single fund
- ✓Low 0.05% expense ratio for a comprehensive Treasury bond portfolio
- ✓Strong flight-to-safety characteristics during stock market crashes and crises
Cons
- ✗Vulnerable to significant losses when interest rates rise sharply
- ✗Lower yields than corporate bonds since Treasuries carry no credit risk premium
- ✗Mixed maturity profile means it is not optimized for any specific duration target
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GOVT a good ETF for beginners?▾
GOVT has a Beginner Suitability Score of 9.5/10 on our scale. This makes it a strong choice for new investors due to its low fees and broad diversification.
What is the expense ratio of GOVT?▾
GOVT has an expense ratio of 0.05%. This means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $5 per year in fees. This is considered very low and cost-efficient.
How much money do I need to invest in GOVT?▾
You can invest in GOVT with as little as $1 through brokers that offer fractional shares (like Fidelity, Schwab, or Robinhood). There is no minimum investment required beyond the share price itself, which changes daily. Dollar cost averaging — investing a fixed amount regularly — is a popular strategy.
Does GOVT pay dividends?▾
Yes, GOVT pays dividends with a current yield of approximately 3.20%. Dividends are typically paid quarterly and can be reinvested automatically through most brokers.
What are the top holdings in GOVT?▾
The top holdings in GOVT include US Treasury 4.25% 02/15/2054 (3.50%), US Treasury 4.625% 05/15/2054 (3.20%), US Treasury 4.0% 11/15/2052 (2.80%), and more. The fund holds 190 total positions, providing broad diversification across many companies.