SmarterDividends

MINT vs USFR: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared

As of Nov 5, 2026, MINT yields more: 4.08% (current yield) against 3.71% for USFR. USFR is cheaper to own at 0.15% a year vs 0.36%. Over the same 12 years (Feb 2014 to Oct 2026), MINT returned 2.4% a year with distributions reinvested, and USFR 2.0%. MINT's income is mostly taxable by states; USFR's is generally exempt from state income tax.

ComparedMINTUSFR
YieldCurrent yield4.08%3.71%
Expense ratio0.36%0.15%
Total return, 1 yr+4.2%+4.0%
Total return, 3 yr (a year)+5.0%+4.6%
Total return, 5 yr (a year)+3.8%+4.0%
Total return, 10 yr (a year)+2.8%+2.6%
Worst drop since Feb 2014-2.7%-1.3%
Share price since Feb 2014−1%+1%
PaysMonthlyMonthly
IssuerPIMCOWisdomTree
Assets$18.3B$21.3B
Started20092014
TypeUltra-short bond ETFTreasury ETF

Higher yield

MINT

4.08%

Lower cost

USFR

0.15%

Better total return

MINT

2.4%/yr

Smaller worst drop

USFR

-1.3%

Key facts: MINT vs USFR

Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data

  • As of Nov 5, 2026, MINT yields 4.08% (current yield) and USFR yields 3.71% (current yield).
  • MINT's expense ratio is 0.36% and USFR's is 0.15%: $36 vs $15 a year on $10,000.
  • From Feb 2014 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in MINT grew to $13,504 (2.4% a year) and $10,000 in USFR to $12,887 (2.0% a year), distributions reinvested.
  • Their worst month-end drops over that time: -2.7% for MINT and -1.3% for USFR.
  • MINT's income is mostly taxable by states, while USFR's is generally exempt from state income tax.
Cite this page

SmarterDividends, "MINT vs USFR: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/mint-vs-usfr

$10,000 in each, Feb 2014 to Oct 2026

Distributions reinvested, month-end values.

MINT became

$13,504

2.4% a year

USFR became

$12,887

2.0% a year

Try other dates, monthly additions or more tickers →

Year by year

YearMINTUSFR
2025+4.7%+4.2%
2024+5.9%+5.5%
2023+6.3%+5.2%
2022−1.0%+2.0%
2021−0.0%−0.0%
2020+1.6%+0.5%
2019+3.3%+2.0%
2018+1.7%+2.0%
2017+1.8%+1.0%
2016+2.1%+0.8%
2015+0.4%−0.1%

Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.

What each holds and how it's taxed

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.
USFR · Treasury ETF
Holds U.S. Treasury securities, so its income is generally exempt from state and local income tax (federal tax still applies).

General information, not tax advice. Every cash fund by yield →

Top holdings

No overlap in the top ten.

MINT

  1. Holdings not reported.

USFR

  1. DTRXX BNY Dreyfus Treasury Oblgtns Csh Mgt Ins0.0%

MINT vs USFR: questions

Is MINT or USFR better?

It depends on the job. MINT pays more today (4.08% vs 3.71%), USFR costs less, and MINT has the better total return over Feb 2014 to Oct 2026, with USFR 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, MINT or USFR?

MINT, at 4.08% against 3.71% for USFR as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $408 vs $371 a year at today's rates.

Which has the better total return?

MINT. From Feb 2014 to Oct 2026, it returned 2.4% a year with distributions reinvested, against 2.0% for USFR. $10,000 became $13,504 vs $12,887.

Which is cheaper, MINT or USFR?

USFR, with a 0.15% expense ratio against 0.36%.

How are MINT and USFR taxed?

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. USFR: Holds U.S. Treasury securities, so its income is generally exempt from state and local income tax (federal tax still applies). 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 4 of 7 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.