MVRL vs. PIT

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

MVRL (ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Mortgage REIT ETN) and PIT (VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MVRL is a REIT fund tracking the MVIS US Mortgage REITs Index (150%), while PIT is a Commodities fund actively managed by VanEck. MVRL is passively managed, while PIT is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, MVRL returned 7.05%/yr vs 19.51%/yr for PIT. At a 0.06 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MVRL charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for PIT.

Performance

MVRL vs. PIT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Mortgage REIT ETN (MVRL) and VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF (PIT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MVRL achieves a -3.98% return, which is significantly lower than PIT's 27.31% return.

MVRL

• 1D: -0.99%
• 1M: -0.34%
• YTD: -3.98%
• 6M: -4.63%
• 1Y: 10.94%
• 3Y*: 7.05%
• 5Y*: -8.61%
• 10Y*: —

PIT

• 1D: -0.75%
• 1M: -10.60%
• YTD: 27.31%
• 6M: 26.74%
• 1Y: 38.33%
• 3Y*: 19.51%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

MVRL vs. PIT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
MVRL ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Mortgage REIT ETN	-3.98%	14.96%	-3.45%	12.30%	-4.77%
PIT VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF	27.31%	21.63%	6.77%	-4.54%	1.67%

Correlation

The correlation between MVRL and PIT is -0.10, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.10
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.02
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 2022	0.06

The correlation between MVRL and PIT shifts across timeframes, from -0.10 (1 year) to 0.06 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

MVRL vs. PIT — Risk / Return Rank

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

MVRL

MVRL Risk / Return Rank: 14
MVRL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
MVRL Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
MVRL Omega Ratio Rank: 14
MVRL Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
MVRL Martin Ratio Rank: 15

PIT

PIT Risk / Return Rank: 55
PIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
PIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
PIT Omega Ratio Rank: 52
PIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
PIT Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

MVRL vs. PIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Mortgage REIT ETN (MVRL) and VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF (PIT). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	MVRL	PIT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.40	1.78	-1.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.73	2.32	-1.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.32	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.52	2.74	-2.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.36	10.88	-9.52

MVRL vs. PIT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MVRL Sharpe Ratio is 0.40, which is lower than the PIT Sharpe Ratio of 1.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MVRL and PIT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

MVRL vs. PIT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MVRL drawdown since its inception was -60.25%, which is greater than PIT's maximum drawdown of -14.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MVRL and PIT.

Drawdown Indicators

	MVRL	PIT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.25%	-14.05%	-46.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.93%	-14.05%	-6.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.20%	-14.05%	-18.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-59.63%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-39.15%	-14.05%	-25.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-31.84%	-4.07%	-27.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.05%	3.59%	+4.46%

Volatility

MVRL vs. PIT - Volatility Comparison

ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Mortgage REIT ETN (MVRL) has a higher volatility of 6.84% compared to VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF (PIT) at 4.67%. This indicates that MVRL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PIT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MVRL	PIT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.84%	4.67%	+2.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.57%	19.36%	+1.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.45%	21.66%	+5.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.55%	17.50%	+19.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	37.60%	17.50%	+20.10%

MVRL vs. PIT - Expense Ratio Comparison

MVRL has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than PIT's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

MVRL vs. PIT - Dividend Comparison

MVRL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 21.15%, more than PIT's 7.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
MVRL ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Mortgage REIT ETN	21.15%	19.15%	19.27%	18.69%	25.21%	12.33%	5.63%
PIT VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF	7.00%	8.92%	3.59%	6.44%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MVRL and PIT in my portfolio?

MVRL and PIT have a correlation of -0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MVRL or PIT?

MVRL has higher volatility (6.84%) compared to PIT (4.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MVRL dropped -60.25% vs PIT's -14.05%.

Which ETF is better, MVRL or PIT?

On 3-year performance, PIT leads with 19.51% vs 7.05% for MVRL. On fees, PIT is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, PIT has been the lower-risk option at 4.67%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MVRL or PIT?

Over the 3-year period, PIT has performed better with a 19.51% return vs 7.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MVRL or PIT?

PIT is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for MVRL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MVRL or PIT?

MVRL has the higher dividend yield at 21.15%, compared with 7.00% for PIT.

What is the main difference between MVRL and PIT?

MVRL is categorized as REIT, while PIT is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: UBS and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for MVRL and 0.55% for PIT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PIT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.78 vs 0.40), 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.