BIL vs MINT: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, MINT yields more: 4.08% (current yield) against 3.66% for BIL. BIL is cheaper to own at 0.14% a year vs 0.36%. Over the same 16 years (Nov 2009 to Oct 2026), MINT returned 2.1% a year with distributions reinvested, and BIL 1.4%. BIL's income is generally exempt from state income tax; MINT's is mostly taxable by states.
BILState Street SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF3.66%current yield| Compared | BIL | MINT |
|---|---|---|
| YieldCurrent yield | 3.66% | 4.08% |
| Expense ratio | 0.14% | 0.36% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +3.7% | +4.2% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +4.4% | +5.0% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +3.7% | +3.8% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +2.3% | +2.8% |
| Worst drop since Nov 2009 | -0.4% | -2.7% |
| Share price since Nov 2009 | −0% | +1% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | State Street Investment Management | PIMCO |
| Assets | $48.5B | $18.3B |
| Started | 2007 | 2009 |
| Type | Treasury ETF | Ultra-short bond ETF |
Higher yield
MINT
4.08%
Lower cost
BIL
0.14%
Better total return
MINT
2.1%/yr
Smaller worst drop
BIL
-0.4%
Key facts: BIL vs MINT
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, BIL yields 3.66% (current yield) and MINT yields 4.08% (current yield).
- BIL's expense ratio is 0.14% and MINT's is 0.36%: $14 vs $36 a year on $10,000.
- From Nov 2009 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in BIL grew to $12,557 (1.4% a year) and $10,000 in MINT to $14,248 (2.1% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -0.4% for BIL and -2.7% for MINT.
- BIL's income is generally exempt from state income tax, while MINT's is mostly taxable by states.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "BIL vs MINT: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/bil-vs-mint
$10,000 in each, Nov 2009 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values.
BIL became
$12,557
1.4% a year
MINT became
$14,248
2.1% a year
Year by year
| Year | BIL | MINT |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +4.1% | +4.7% |
| 2024 | +5.2% | +5.9% |
| 2023 | +4.9% | +6.3% |
| 2022 | +1.4% | −1.0% |
| 2021 | −0.1% | −0.0% |
| 2020 | +0.4% | +1.6% |
| 2019 | +2.0% | +3.3% |
| 2018 | +1.7% | +1.7% |
| 2017 | +0.7% | +1.8% |
| 2016 | +0.1% | +2.1% |
| 2015 | −0.1% | +0.4% |
| 2014 | −0.1% | +0.5% |
| 2013 | −0.1% | +0.7% |
| 2012 | −0.0% | +2.4% |
| 2011 | −0.0% | +0.4% |
| 2010 | −0.0% | +1.6% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
What each holds and how it's taxed
- BIL · Treasury ETF
- Holds U.S. Treasury securities, so its income is generally exempt from state and local income tax (federal tax still applies).
- MINT · Ultra-short bond ETF
- Holds short-term bonds, which can include corporate or asset-backed debt, for a little more yield than T-bills and a little more price movement.
General information, not tax advice. Every cash fund by yield →
BIL vs MINT: questions
Is BIL or MINT better?
It depends on the job. MINT pays more today (4.08% vs 3.66%), BIL costs less, and MINT has the better total return over Nov 2009 to Oct 2026, with BIL holding up better in its worst stretch. For cash you may need soon, yield after tax and how easily you can get the money out matter more than past returns.
Which pays a higher dividend, BIL or MINT?
MINT, at 4.08% against 3.66% for BIL as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $408 vs $366 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
MINT. From Nov 2009 to Oct 2026, it returned 2.1% a year with distributions reinvested, against 1.4% for BIL. $10,000 became $14,248 vs $12,557.
Which is cheaper, BIL or MINT?
BIL, with a 0.14% expense ratio against 0.36%.
How are BIL and MINT taxed?
BIL: Holds U.S. Treasury securities, so its income is generally exempt from state and local income tax (federal tax still applies). MINT: Holds short-term bonds, which can include corporate or asset-backed debt, for a little more yield than T-bills and a little more price movement. General information, not tax advice.
Related comparisons
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. MINT leads on 5 of 7 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.