SGOV is paying ~4% while I wait — is it really better than my HYSA?
I keep seeing SGOV searches exploding — the "get paid for waiting" ETF with about 74k searches last month, up almost 50% year over year. I have $40k sitting in a HYSA at 4.2% and the idea of parking it in SGOV for the same yield sounds too easy. What is the actual catch? Settlement time, taxes, the expense ratio — walk me through what changes versus my savings account.
1 answer
- The catch is taxes plus one business day
I ran this exact comparison last month. SGOV dividends are exempt from state income tax but hit at the federal level as ordinary income — same as your HYSA interest. So no federal edge. The real difference: settlement is T+1, meaning you cannot touch the money same-day, and you pay a 0.09% expense ratio. If you need the $40k liquid for an emergency, keep it in the HYSA. SGOV only wins for money you know you will not touch for 30+ days.