MINT vs. VTIP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MINT (PIMCO Enhanced Short Maturity Active ETF) and VTIP (Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MINT is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by PIMCO, while VTIP is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) 0-5 Year Index. MINT is actively managed, while VTIP is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, MINT returned 2.70%/yr vs 3.14%/yr for VTIP. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MINT charges 0.36%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTIP.

Performance

MINT vs. VTIP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO Enhanced Short Maturity Active ETF (MINT) and Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF (VTIP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MINT achieves a 1.81% return, which is significantly lower than VTIP's 2.05% return. Over the past 10 years, MINT has underperformed VTIP with an annualized return of 2.70%, while VTIP has yielded a comparatively higher 3.14% annualized return.

MINT

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.36%
• YTD: 1.81%
• 6M: 2.20%
• 1Y: 4.67%
• 3Y*: 5.41%
• 5Y*: 3.47%
• 10Y*: 2.70%

VTIP

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.04%
• YTD: 2.05%
• 6M: 2.03%
• 1Y: 4.70%
• 3Y*: 5.26%
• 5Y*: 3.37%
• 10Y*: 3.14%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

MINT vs. VTIP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MINT PIMCO Enhanced Short Maturity Active ETF	1.81%	4.74%	5.94%	6.26%	-1.01%	-0.03%	1.62%	3.34%	1.72%	1.86%
VTIP Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF	2.05%	6.07%	4.74%	4.62%	-2.94%	5.36%	4.95%	4.86%	0.56%	0.82%

Correlation

The correlation between MINT and VTIP is 0.11, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.11
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.12
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.21
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 17, 2012	0.21

The correlation between MINT and VTIP shifts across timeframes, from 0.11 (1 year) to 0.21 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

MINT vs. VTIP — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

MINT

MINT Risk / Return Rank: 100
MINT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
MINT Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
MINT Omega Ratio Rank: 100
MINT Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
MINT Martin Ratio Rank: 100

VTIP

VTIP Risk / Return Rank: 93
VTIP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
VTIP Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
VTIP Omega Ratio Rank: 93
VTIP Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
VTIP Martin Ratio Rank: 93

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

MINT vs. VTIP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO Enhanced Short Maturity Active ETF (MINT) and Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF (VTIP). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	MINT	VTIP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	17.09	3.15	+13.94
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	65.54	5.36	+60.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	20.53	1.67	+18.86
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	94.30	6.75	+87.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	939.26	26.06	+913.19
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MINT vs. VTIP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MINT Sharpe Ratio is 17.09, which is higher than the VTIP Sharpe Ratio of 3.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MINT and VTIP, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MINT	VTIP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.09	3.15	+13.94
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	5.99	1.22	+4.77
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	2.87	1.15	+1.72
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.47	0.89	+1.57

Drawdowns

MINT vs. VTIP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MINT drawdown since its inception was -4.62%, smaller than the maximum VTIP drawdown of -6.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MINT and VTIP.

Drawdown Indicators

	MINT	VTIP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.62%	-6.27%	+1.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.05%	-0.70%	+0.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.16%	-0.98%	+0.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-2.42%	-5.50%	+3.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-4.62%	-6.27%	+1.65%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.02%	+0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.17%	-1.04%	+0.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.00%	0.18%	-0.18%

Volatility

MINT vs. VTIP - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PIMCO Enhanced Short Maturity Active ETF (MINT) is 0.09%, while Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF (VTIP) has a volatility of 0.43%. This indicates that MINT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTIP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MINT	VTIP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.09%	0.43%	-0.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.20%	1.02%	-0.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27%	1.50%	-1.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.58%	2.77%	-2.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.95%	2.74%	-1.79%

MINT vs. VTIP - Expense Ratio Comparison

MINT has a 0.36% expense ratio, which is higher than VTIP's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

MINT vs. VTIP - Dividend Comparison

MINT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.28%, more than VTIP's 3.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MINT PIMCO Enhanced Short Maturity Active ETF	4.28%	4.63%	5.22%	4.91%	1.90%	0.44%	1.15%	2.65%	2.32%	1.61%	1.35%	0.88%
VTIP Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF	3.58%	3.81%	2.70%	2.86%	6.84%	4.68%	1.20%	1.95%	2.45%	1.52%	0.76%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MINT and VTIP in my portfolio?

MINT and VTIP have a correlation of 0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MINT or VTIP?

VTIP has higher volatility (0.43%) compared to MINT (0.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MINT dropped -4.62% vs VTIP's -6.27%.

Which ETF is better, MINT or VTIP?

On 10-year performance, VTIP leads with 3.14% vs 2.70% for MINT. On fees, VTIP is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, MINT has been the lower-risk option at 0.09%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MINT or VTIP?

Over the 10-year period, VTIP has performed better with a 3.14% return vs 2.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MINT or VTIP?

VTIP is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.36% for MINT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MINT or VTIP?

MINT has the higher dividend yield at 4.28%, compared with 3.58% for VTIP.

What is the main difference between MINT and VTIP?

MINT is categorized as Ultrashort Bond, while VTIP is Inflation-Protected Bonds. They also come from different issuers: PIMCO and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.36% for MINT and 0.03% for VTIP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MINT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (17.09 vs 3.15), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.