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<h2>Key Points</h2><ul><li>SPLB charges a lower expense ratio and offers a higher yield than TLT.</li><li>SPLB has outperformed TLT over the past year and five-year periods, with a milder drawdown.</li><li>TLT holds only U.S. Treasury bonds, while SPLB provides exposure to long-term U.S. corporate bonds across more than 3,000 issues.</li><li>10 stocks we like better than SPDR Series Trust - State Street SPDR Portfolio Long Termorate Bond ETF ›</li></ul><p>The <strong>iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF</strong> <span class="ticker">(NASDAQ:TLT)</span> and the <strong>State Street SPDR Portfolio Long Term Corporate Bond ETF</strong> <span class="ticker">(NYSEMKT:SPLB)</span> differ most in underlying bond exposure, with TLT focused on U.S. Treasuries and SPLB targeting long-duration investment-grade corporate bonds, while also contrasting on cost and recent performance.</p><p>Both TLT and SPLB aim to give investors targeted exposure to long maturity bonds, but their portfolios diverge. TLT is a pure-play on U.S. government debt, while SPLB holds a broad basket of long-term corporate bonds. This comparison highlights how their distinct approaches play out in cost, yield, risk, and return.</p><h2 id="snapshot-cost-amp-size">Snapshot (cost &amp; size)</h2><section><table><tbody><tr><th>Metric</th><th>TLT</th><th>SPLB</th></tr><tr><td>Issuer</td><td>iShares</td><td>SPDR</td></tr><tr><td>Expense ratio</td><td>0.15%</td><td>0.04%</td></tr><tr><td>1-yr return (as of Apr. 15, 2026)</td><td>4.0%</td><td>8.8%</td></tr><tr><td>Dividend yield</td><td>4.5%</td><td>5.4%</td></tr><tr><td>Beta</td><td>0.55</td><td>0.67</td></tr><tr><td>AUM</td><td>$42.6 billion</td><td>$1.3 billion</td></tr></tbody></table></section><p><em>Beta measures price volatility relative to the S&amp;P 500; beta is calculated from five-year monthly returns. The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months.</em></p><p>SPLB looks more affordable on fees, charging just 0.04% versus TLT’s 0.15%, and also offers a higher yield at 5.4% compared to 4.5%, which may appeal to income-focused investors seeking a higher payout with lower costs.</p><h2 id="performance-amp-risk-comparison">Performance &amp; risk comparison</h2><section><table><tbody><tr><th>Metric</th><th>TLT</th><th>SPLB</th></tr><tr><td>Max drawdown (5 y)</td><td>-43.70%</td><td>-34.49%</td></tr><tr><td>Growth of $1,000 over 5 years</td><td>$735</td><td>$926</td></tr></tbody></table></section><h2 id="whatx27s-inside">What's inside</h2><p>SPLB tracks a diversified pool of more than 3,000 long-term, investment-grade U.S. corporate bonds, spanning issuers such as Amazon.com Unsecured 03/76 6.05 0.52%, Anheuser Busch Company Guar 02/46 4.9 0.37%, and CVS Health Corp Unsecured 03/48 5.05 0.34%. With over 17 years on the market, SPLB is designed for broad corporate bond exposure with maturities of at least 10 years and no leverage or currency hedging quirks.</p><p>TLT, by contrast, is exclusively focused on U.S. Treasury bonds with maturities longer than 20 years, including top holdings like Treasury Bond 08/15/2053 4.62%, Treasury Bond 11/15/2053 4.60%, and Treasury Bond 08/15/2051 4.59%. This government-only approach may appeal to those prioritizing credit safety over yield or corporate risk.</p><p>For more guidance on ETF investing, check out the full guide at this link.</p><h2 id="what-this-means-for-investors">What this means for investors</h2><p>Both the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) and the State Street SPDR Portfolio Long Term Corporate Bond ETF (SPLB) are designed for long-term income. In weighing which to invest in, the choice comes down to your individual goals.</p><p>TLT is for investors who prioritize capital preservation. It delivers maximum safety, given the ETF’s focus on U.S. Treasury bonds. The fund’s substantial assets under management of $42.6 billion provides high liquidity as well. However, TLT isn’t going to furnish big gains, and its higher expense ratio and lower one-year return demonstrate SPLB is the better choice for those seeking income above all else.</p><p>SPLB supplies more income, as illustrated by its higher dividend yield and one-year return, through its focus on a wide range of investment-grade U.S. corporate bonds. It also sports a low expense ratio, making it a great choice for a bond fund. The tradeoff is that corporate bonds are riskier than investing in U.S. Treasuries.</p><p>Buying both ETFs is also a good strategy. TLT offers investors a hedge against market downturns, while SPLB offers solid income.</p><h2>Should you buy stock in SPDR Series Trust - State Street SPDR Portfolio Long Termorate Bond ETF right now?</h2>
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SPLB

<p>The comparison between State Street's SPLB ETF and iShares TLT ETF highlights key differences in bond exposure, cost, and performance. SPLB focuses on long-term corporate bonds, offering a lower expense ratio (0.04%) and higher yield (5.4%) compared to TLT's U.S. Treasury bonds (0.15% expense ratio, 4.5% yield). SPLB has outperformed TLT over one and five years, with a milder drawdown. Investors seeking income may prefer SPLB, while those prioritizing safety may opt for TLT. A combined investment strategy could also be beneficial for diversification.</p>

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Is State Street's SPLB ETF's Corporate Bond Focus the Better Choice Over iShares TLT's U.S. Treasuries?