MINT vs QQQ
PIMCO Enhanced Short Maturity Active Exchange-Traded Fund vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, MINT or QQQ?
Short Term Bond against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | MINT | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.36% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $18.6B | $506.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.14% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 2,033 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +3.10% | +19.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | +4.18% | +22.47%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.04% | +26.18%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.74% | +15.42%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 1.2%Best | 17.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -4.8%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,015 | $20,484Best |
| Fund Family | PIMCO (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term Bond | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Nov 16, 2009 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 17, 2009 to Oct 14, 2026 (16.9 years).
MINT vs QQQ growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
MINT vs QQQ Performance
PIMCO Enhanced Short Maturity Active Exchange-Traded Fund (MINT) is an ETF from PIMCO (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year MINT returned +4.18% while QQQ returned +22.47%. Year to date, MINT is up 3.10% versus a gain of 19.30% for QQQ.
Over three years, MINT compounded at +5.04% per year against +26.18% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +3.74% and +15.42% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.20% annualized vs +1.22%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.6% compared with 1.2% for MINT. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -4.8% for MINT and -35.1% for QQQ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.35. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MINT charges 0.36% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $36 vs $18 annually, a gap of $18 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MINT currently yields 4.14% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 666 holdings in MINT and 101 in QQQ, totalling 58.6% and 99.6% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 666 positions we hold weights for in MINT and 101 in QQQ, against full books of 2,033 and 321.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MINT and QQQ you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, MINT or QQQ?
MINT has an expense ratio of 0.36% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $18 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MINT or QQQ?
Over the past year MINT returned +4.18% vs +22.47% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), MINT annualized +1.22% vs +18.20% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MINT or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 17.6% annualized versus 1.2% for MINT. Worst drawdown: MINT -4.8% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both MINT and QQQ?
MINT and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.35, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, MINT or QQQ?
MINT yields 4.14% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so MINT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than MINT?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.