Higher cash savings returns
Smart Savings
Based on our comprehensive research and decades of experience, we hold the belief that savers and investors both merit and can achieve significantly greater cash returns than what they would receive from their savings in a bank. Here are three methods to achieve this goal:
Money Market ETF Portfolio
Employ an ultra-short-term bond ETF portfolio that surpasses the performance of money market funds.
Treasury ‘Money Market’ ETFs
Opt for ‘money market equivalent’ Treasury ETFs u2014 as secure as a Treasury money market fund, yet lower expense ratios and available in almost every brokerage.
Income & Savings Tips
Make use of the abundant resources available on Yield Alley, known for offering unbiased and extremely helpful savings tips and resources.
Detailed Portfolio Performance
Money Market ETF Candidates & Performance
Candidate ETFs:
| Name | YTD Return | 1Yr AR | 3Yr AR | 5Yr AR | 10Yr AR | 15Yr AR | 20Yr AR | Common | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICSH (iShares Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF) | 1.53% | 4.32% | 5.17% | 3.71% | 2.78% | NA | NA | … | … |
| NEAR (iShares Short Maturity Bond ETF) | 0.79% | 4.04% | 5.62% | 3.87% | 2.85% | NA | NA | … | … |
| JPST (JPMorgan Ultra-Short Income ETF) | 1.50% | 4.29% | 5.19% | 3.63% | NA | NA | NA | … | … |
| BIL (SPDR® Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF) | 1.60% | 3.89% | 4.64% | 3.44% | 2.26% | 1.48% | NA | … | … |
| SHV (iShares 0–1 Year Treasury Bond ETF) | 1.54% | 3.90% | 4.64% | 3.34% | 2.25% | 1.52% | NA | … | … |
| TFLO (iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF) | 1.71% | 4.01% | 4.74% | 3.66% | 2.37% | NA | NA | … | … |
Data as of 06/12/2026, Common starting date is 05/19/2017
Latest Performance:
| Name | YTD Return | 1Yr AR | 3Yr AR | 5Yr AR | 10Yr AR | 15Yr AR | 20Yr AR | Common | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MPIQ Ultra ST Bond ETFs | 0.19% | 3.79% | 5.06% | 3.52% | 2.49% | NA | NA | … | … |
| CASH | 0.61% | 2.75% | 3.31% | 2.44% | 1.61% | 1.08% | 1.16% | … | … |
| BIL (SPDR® Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF) | 0.85% | 3.99% | 4.70% | 3.28% | 2.18% | 1.43% | NA | … | … |
| Ticker/Portfolio | Last 1 Week | 1 Yr | 3 Yr | 5 Yr | 10 Yr | 15 Yr | 20 Yr | Common | Inception | YTD | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995 | 1994 | 1993 | 1992 | 1991 | 1990 | 1989 | 1988 | 1987 | 1986 | 1985 | 1984 | 1983 | 1982 | 1981 | 1980 | 1979 | 1978 | 1977 | 1976 | 1975 | 1974 | 1973 | 1972 | 1971 | 1970 | 1969 | 1968 | 1967 | 1966 | 1965 | 1964 | 1963 | 1962 | 1961 | 1960 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annualized Return (%) | MPIQ Ultra ST Bond ETFs | 0.30 | 3.79 | 5.06 | 3.52 | 2.49 | NA | NA | … | … | 0.19 | 5.13 | 3.85 | 7.13 | 1.37 | 0.14 | -0.25 | 3.06 | 2.11 | 1.44 | 1.25 | 0.70 | 0.01 | 0.00 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| CASH | 0.05 | 2.75 | 3.31 | 2.44 | 1.61 | 1.08 | 1.16 | … | … | 0.61 | 2.88 | 3.62 | 3.66 | 1.43 | 0.02 | 0.25 | 1.47 | 1.38 | 0.66 | 0.22 | 0.03 | 0.02 | 0.03 | 0.06 | 0.03 | 0.09 | 0.10 | 0.97 | 3.15 | 3.42 | 2.26 | 0.98 | 0.72 | 1.15 | 2.46 | 4.22 | 3.37 | 3.47 | 3.68 | 3.65 | 3.98 | 3.07 | 2.17 | 2.49 | 3.92 | 5.50 | 5.95 | 4.89 | 4.22 | 4.36 | 5.49 | 7.05 | 6.31 | 7.84 | 10.54 | 8.54 | 7.43 | 5.22 | 3.81 | 3.64 | 4.22 | 5.76 | 5.16 | 2.94 | 3.15 | 4.67 | 4.89 | 3.91 | 3.11 | 3.52 | 2.87 | 2.58 | 2.28 | 2.00 | 1.69 | 2.07 | |
| BIL (SPDR® Bl…Bill ETF) | 0.05 | 3.99 | 4.70 | 3.28 | 2.18 | 1.43 | NA | … | … | 0.85 | 4.15 | 5.19 | 4.94 | 1.40 | -0.10 | 0.40 | 2.03 | 1.74 | 1.21 | 0.18 | -0.13 | -0.07 | -0.09 | -0.04 | -0.04 | -0.04 | 0.36 | 3.90 | 5.10 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| Sharpe Ratio | MPIQ Ultra ST Bond ETFs | NA | 1.22 | 1.41 | 1.09 | 0.84 | NA | NA | … | … | -0.17 | 2.22 | 0.16 | 3.41 | -0.10 | 0.40 | -0.21 | 4.15 | 1.42 | 1.15 | 1.45 | 0.77 | -0.03 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| CASH | NA | 0.00 | -0.15 | -0.05 | -0.02 | NA | NA | … | … | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| BIL (SPDR® Bl…Bill ETF) | NA | 6.28 | 5.98 | 3.42 | 2.27 | NA | NA | … | … | 5.67 | 6.23 | 6.29 | 4.57 | -0.10 | -0.89 | 0.83 | 2.95 | 1.93 | 1.55 | -0.13 | -0.62 | -0.34 | -0.52 | -0.46 | -0.26 | -0.46 | 0.39 | 1.78 | 3.92 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| Standard Deviation(%) | MPIQ Ultra ST Bond ETFs | NA | 1.04 | 1.23 | 1.01 | 1.08 | NA | NA | … | … | 1.19 | 1.01 | 1.44 | 1.02 | 0.51 | 0.28 | 2.32 | 0.38 | 0.51 | 0.68 | 0.71 | 0.87 | 0.39 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| CASH | NA | 0.01 | 0.03 | 0.08 | 0.08 | NA | NA | … | … | 0.00 | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.06 | 0.00 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.04 | 0.03 | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.00 | 0.01 | 0.05 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.01 | 0.03 | 0.00 | 0.02 | 0.03 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.04 | 0.02 | 0.03 | 0.02 | 0.03 | 0.02 | 0.10 | 0.07 | 0.12 | 0.05 | 0.04 | 0.03 | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.03 | 0.05 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.00 | 0.01 | 0.00 | 0.01 | 0.03 | |
| BIL (SPDR® Bl…Bill ETF) | NA | 0.20 | 0.23 | 0.26 | 0.26 | NA | NA | … | … | 0.19 | 0.20 | 0.25 | 0.28 | 0.25 | 0.14 | 0.18 | 0.19 | 0.19 | 0.36 | 0.30 | 0.26 | 0.24 | 0.24 | 0.22 | 0.26 | 0.29 | 0.68 | 1.65 | 1.52 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| Draw Down(%) | MPIQ Ultra ST Bond ETFs | NA | 1.13 | 1.13 | 1.13 | 3.27 | NA | NA | … | … | 1.13 | 0.50 | 0.76 | 0.30 | 0.26 | 0.25 | 3.27 | 0.07 | 0.14 | 0.22 | 0.18 | 0.32 | 0.34 | 0.00 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| CASH | NA | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | NA | NA | … | … | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| BIL (SPDR® Bl…Bill ETF) | NA | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.09 | 0.21 | NA | NA | … | … | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.03 | 0.11 | 0.09 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.04 | 0.09 | 0.15 | 0.11 | 0.11 | 0.04 | 0.09 | 0.07 | 0.24 | 0.64 | 0.24 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| Yield(%) | MPIQ Ultra ST Bond ETFs | NA | 4.47 | 4.81 | 3.38 | 2.55 | NA | NA | … | … | 0.00 | 4.49 | 5.13 | 4.86 | 1.80 | 0.69 | 1.34 | 2.67 | 2.15 | 1.46 | 1.03 | 0.82 | 0.20 | 0.00 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| CASH | 0.05 | 2.52 | 2.58 | 2.04 | 1.38 | 0.92 | 0.92 | … | … | 1.13 | 2.56 | 2.62 | 2.60 | 1.28 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1.91 | 1.70 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.58 | 2.61 | 2.60 | 2.60 | 0.50 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2.35 | 4.93 | 2.61 | 2.61 | 2.61 | 2.62 | 3.79 | 2.81 | 2.61 | 2.62 | 4.00 | 5.22 | 5.20 | 5.22 | 4.89 | 4.45 | 5.22 | 7.05 | 5.50 | 7.24 | 10.06 | 8.10 | 7.62 | 5.27 | 3.60 | 2.68 | 4.45 | 5.34 | 5.01 | 2.60 | 2.65 | 4.87 | 5.22 | 3.36 | 2.60 | 2.65 | 2.61 | 2.62 | 2.61 | 2.61 | 2.60 | 2.60 | |
| BIL (SPDR® Bl…Bill ETF) | 0.00 | 3.85 | 4.55 | 3.37 | 4.33 | 2.88 | 2.61 | … | … | 1.44 | 4.13 | 5.03 | 4.92 | 1.35 | 0.00 | 0.30 | 2.05 | 1.66 | 1.37 | 0.13 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.01 | 0.00 | 0.19 | 3.83 | 5.00 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
Performance Comparison Chart
Data as of 03/31/2026, Common starting date is 12/31/2013
Treasury ‘Money Market’ ETF Comparison
Comparison:
| Name | YTD Return | 1Yr AR | 3Yr AR | 5Yr AR | 10Yr AR | 15Yr AR | 20Yr AR | Common | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USFR (WisdomTree Floating Rate Treasury Fund) | 1.72% | 4.03% | 4.76% | 3.69% | 2.35% | NA | NA | … | … |
| TFLO (iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF) | 1.71% | 4.01% | 4.74% | 3.66% | 2.37% | NA | NA | … | … |
| SGOV (iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF) | 1.61% | 3.95% | 4.71% | 3.56% | NA | NA | NA | … | … |
| BIL (SPDR® Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF) | 1.60% | 3.89% | 4.64% | 3.44% | 2.26% | 1.48% | NA | … | … |
Data as of 06/12/2026, Common starting date is 05/28/2020
Unlock Expert Retirement Strategies
Get weekly insights on market trends, retirement planning, and investing. Enjoy automatic free account creation for our premium platform.
Join 50,000+ investors. No credit card required. Privacy guaranteed.
Recent Articles
- Delta’s 401(k): 9% Employer Contribution, 367 Funds, and a Smart Auto-Escalation Design
- Providence Health’s 100% Match on 6% and $600M Pay Raise: What Employees Need to Know
- Meta’s 401(k): 50% Match, Immediate Vesting, and $670M on the Table
- Making Sense of Mixed Signals
- Nike’s 401(k) Match Is Dollar-for-Dollar, Even When the Swoosh Is Struggling
- Tesla 401(k) Review: 50% Match Up to $3,000 — Is That Enough for TSLA Employees?
Puzzled on what to invest?
- We ask a few questions to decide your personal return and risk expectations
- We build a custom portfolio for your plan (401(k), 403(b), 529 …) or for a brokerage account
- We monitor and send timely rebalance emails on what investment funds to buy and sell
Looking for ideas to generate income?
- ETF or mutual fund income portfolios for 4-7% annual income
- Dividend stock funds
- Passive real estate investments
- more …
Portfolio Calculator (Simulator)
Quickly enter fund allocation and get a back test result on the performance of this ‘lazy’ portfolio.
Customize Asset Allocation Portfolios
Build a custom model portfolio using our asset strategic or tactical strategies, tailored to a 401(k) plan or for a brokerage account.
Retirement Calculator
See how much you can save for retirement.
Investment Calculator
Grow your wealth and see the power of compounding.
Looking for a (forgotten) 401(k)?
Find plan contact info, plan expenses, investment options, rollover your old plan, or learn how to select investments on your 401k plan …