DIPSX vs. VSCSX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

DIPSX (DFA Inflation-Protected Securities Portfolio) and VSCSX (Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - DIPSX is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund managed by Dimensional, while VSCSX is a Corporate Bonds fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, DIPSX returned 2.58%/yr vs 2.71%/yr for VSCSX. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DIPSX charges 0.11%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VSCSX.

Performance

DIPSX vs. VSCSX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DIPSX achieves a 1.26% return, which is significantly higher than VSCSX's 0.71% return. Over the past 10 years, DIPSX has underperformed VSCSX with an annualized return of 2.58%, while VSCSX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.71% annualized return.

DIPSX

• 1D: 0.36%
• 1M: 0.36%
• YTD: 1.26%
• 6M: 1.35%
• 1Y: 2.88%
• 3Y*: 3.51%
• 5Y*: 0.89%
• 10Y*: 2.58%

VSCSX

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 0.33%
• YTD: 0.71%
• 6M: 0.89%
• 1Y: 4.24%
• 3Y*: 5.72%
• 5Y*: 2.43%
• 10Y*: 2.71%

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

DIPSX vs. VSCSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DIPSX DFA Inflation-Protected Securities Portfolio	1.26%	5.77%	2.02%	3.93%	-12.26%	5.55%	11.65%	8.54%	-1.30%	3.28%
VSCSX Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.71%	6.75%	5.36%	6.11%	-5.72%	-0.43%	5.06%	6.85%	0.88%	2.46%

Correlation

The correlation between DIPSX and VSCSX is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 3, 2012	0.72

The correlation between DIPSX and VSCSX shifts across timeframes, from 0.72 (10 years) to 0.82 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DIPSX vs. VSCSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DIPSX

DIPSX Risk / Return Rank: 14
DIPSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
DIPSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
DIPSX Omega Ratio Rank: 11
DIPSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
DIPSX Martin Ratio Rank: 17

VSCSX

VSCSX Risk / Return Rank: 78
VSCSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
VSCSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
VSCSX Omega Ratio Rank: 82
VSCSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VSCSX Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

DIPSX vs. VSCSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Inflation-Protected Securities Portfolio (DIPSX) and Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSCSX). 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.

	DIPSX	VSCSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.88	2.45	-1.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.29	3.71	-2.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.50	-0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.52	3.19	-1.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.22	12.53	-8.30

DIPSX vs. VSCSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DIPSX Sharpe Ratio is 0.88, which is lower than the VSCSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DIPSX and VSCSX, 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

DIPSX vs. VSCSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DIPSX drawdown since its inception was -14.64%, which is greater than VSCSX's maximum drawdown of -9.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DIPSX and VSCSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DIPSX	VSCSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.64%	-9.36%	-5.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.03%	-1.36%	-0.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.75%	-1.36%	-3.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.64%	-9.36%	-5.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-14.64%	-9.36%	-5.28%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.04%	-0.26%	-0.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.54%	-0.97%	-3.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.73%	0.35%	+0.38%

Volatility

DIPSX vs. VSCSX - Volatility Comparison

DFA Inflation-Protected Securities Portfolio (DIPSX) has a higher volatility of 1.12% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSCSX) at 0.67%. This indicates that DIPSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSCSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DIPSX	VSCSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.12%	0.67%	+0.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.39%	1.35%	+1.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.51%	1.77%	+1.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.34%	2.72%	+3.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.71%	2.37%	+3.34%

DIPSX vs. VSCSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DIPSX has a 0.11% expense ratio, which is higher than VSCSX's 0.07% 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

DIPSX vs. VSCSX - Dividend Comparison

DIPSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.03%, less than VSCSX's 4.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DIPSX DFA Inflation-Protected Securities Portfolio	2.03%	2.43%	2.70%	3.73%	8.14%	4.86%	1.58%	2.12%	2.28%	2.64%	1.99%	0.69%
VSCSX Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	4.42%	4.32%	4.27%	3.07%	1.98%	1.78%	2.25%	2.85%	2.66%	2.26%	1.93%	2.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DIPSX and VSCSX in my portfolio?

DIPSX and VSCSX have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DIPSX or VSCSX?

DIPSX has higher volatility (1.12%) compared to VSCSX (0.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DIPSX dropped -14.64% vs VSCSX's -9.36%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSCSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 0.88), 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.