BIIPX vs. VTAPX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

BIIPX (iShares Short-Term TIPS Bond Index Fund) and VTAPX (Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Inflation-Protected Bonds funds. Over the past 5 years, BIIPX returned 2.80%/yr vs 3.35%/yr for VTAPX. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BIIPX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VTAPX.

Performance

BIIPX vs. VTAPX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Short-Term TIPS Bond Index Fund (BIIPX) and Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTAPX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with BIIPX having a 1.98% return and VTAPX slightly higher at 2.05%.

BIIPX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.12%
• YTD: 1.98%
• 6M: 2.04%
• 1Y: 4.58%
• 3Y*: 5.00%
• 5Y*: 2.80%
• 10Y*: —

VTAPX

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 0.12%
• YTD: 2.05%
• 6M: 2.12%
• 1Y: 4.60%
• 3Y*: 5.23%
• 5Y*: 3.35%
• 10Y*: 3.13%

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

BIIPX vs. VTAPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BIIPX iShares Short-Term TIPS Bond Index Fund	1.98%	6.05%	4.75%	3.25%	-4.12%	5.19%	4.89%	4.83%	0.58%	0.88%
VTAPX Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.05%	6.03%	4.73%	4.59%	-2.84%	5.26%	4.97%	4.85%	0.53%	0.82%

Correlation

The correlation between BIIPX and VTAPX is 0.76, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.82

The correlation between BIIPX and VTAPX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BIIPX vs. VTAPX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BIIPX

BIIPX Risk / Return Rank: 75
BIIPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
BIIPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
BIIPX Omega Ratio Rank: 73
BIIPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
BIIPX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

VTAPX

VTAPX Risk / Return Rank: 94
VTAPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
VTAPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
VTAPX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
VTAPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
VTAPX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

BIIPX vs. VTAPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Short-Term TIPS Bond Index Fund (BIIPX) and Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTAPX). 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.

	BIIPX	VTAPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	3.01	-1.03
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.85	4.97	-1.12
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.64	-0.15
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.16	6.54	-2.38
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	17.61	25.76	-8.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BIIPX vs. VTAPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BIIPX Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is lower than the VTAPX Sharpe Ratio of 3.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BIIPX and VTAPX, 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

	BIIPX	VTAPX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.98	3.01	-1.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90	1.26	-0.35
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.41	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.12	1.07	+0.05

Drawdowns

BIIPX vs. VTAPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BIIPX drawdown since its inception was -6.46%, which is greater than VTAPX's maximum drawdown of -5.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BIIPX and VTAPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BIIPX	VTAPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.46%	-5.33%	-1.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.22%	-0.72%	-0.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.22%	-0.92%	-0.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-6.46%	-5.33%	-1.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-5.33%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.04%	+0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.08%	-1.03%	-0.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.29%	0.18%	+0.11%

Volatility

BIIPX vs. VTAPX - Volatility Comparison

iShares Short-Term TIPS Bond Index Fund (BIIPX) has a higher volatility of 1.21% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTAPX) at 0.57%. This indicates that BIIPX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTAPX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BIIPX	VTAPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.21%	0.57%	+0.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.71%	1.11%	+0.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.28%	1.53%	+0.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.11%	2.67%	+0.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.64%	2.23%	+0.41%

BIIPX vs. VTAPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BIIPX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is higher than VTAPX's 0.06% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

BIIPX vs. VTAPX - Dividend Comparison

BIIPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.59%, more than VTAPX's 3.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
BIIPX iShares Short-Term TIPS Bond Index Fund	4.59%	4.64%	4.30%	2.65%	4.56%	4.39%	1.58%	2.27%	2.74%	1.89%	0.00%
VTAPX Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.55%	3.78%	2.68%	2.84%	6.82%	4.67%	1.19%	1.94%	2.45%	1.52%	0.76%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BIIPX and VTAPX in my portfolio?

BIIPX and VTAPX have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BIIPX or VTAPX?

BIIPX has higher volatility (1.21%) compared to VTAPX (0.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BIIPX dropped -6.46% vs VTAPX's -5.33%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTAPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.00 vs 1.98), 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.