PRPFX vs. VTAPX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PRPFX (Permanent Portfolio Permanent Portfolio) and VTAPX (Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - PRPFX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Permanent Portfolio, while VTAPX is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, PRPFX returned 11.09%/yr vs 3.13%/yr for VTAPX. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PRPFX charges 0.81%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VTAPX.

Performance

PRPFX vs. VTAPX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Permanent Portfolio Permanent Portfolio (PRPFX) 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

In the year-to-date period, PRPFX achieves a 6.99% return, which is significantly higher than VTAPX's 2.05% return. Over the past 10 years, PRPFX has outperformed VTAPX with an annualized return of 11.09%, while VTAPX has yielded a comparatively lower 3.13% annualized return.

PRPFX

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 0.45%
• YTD: 6.99%
• 6M: 10.01%
• 1Y: 23.88%
• 3Y*: 21.56%
• 5Y*: 11.49%
• 10Y*: 11.09%

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)

PRPFX vs. VTAPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRPFX Permanent Portfolio Permanent Portfolio	6.99%	28.78%	19.36%	11.96%	-5.48%	10.87%	18.80%	19.20%	-7.02%	11.42%
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 PRPFX and VTAPX is 0.15, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.15
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.23
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2013	0.30

The correlation between PRPFX and VTAPX shifts across timeframes, from 0.15 (1 year) to 0.32 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PRPFX vs. VTAPX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRPFX

PRPFX Risk / Return Rank: 48
PRPFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
PRPFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
PRPFX Omega Ratio Rank: 56
PRPFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
PRPFX Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

PRPFX vs. VTAPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Permanent Portfolio Permanent Portfolio (PRPFX) 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.

	PRPFX	VTAPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.03	3.01	-0.98
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.48	4.97	-2.50
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.64	-0.22
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.06	6.54	-3.47
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.59	25.76	-17.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PRPFX vs. VTAPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRPFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.03, which is lower than the VTAPX Sharpe Ratio of 3.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRPFX 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

	PRPFX	VTAPX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.03	3.01	-0.98
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.04	1.26	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.05	1.41	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	1.07	-0.27

Drawdowns

PRPFX vs. VTAPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRPFX drawdown since its inception was -27.16%, which is greater than VTAPX's maximum drawdown of -5.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRPFX and VTAPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRPFX	VTAPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.16%	-5.33%	-21.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.10%	-0.72%	-7.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.19%	-0.92%	-7.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.49%	-5.33%	-10.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.84%	-5.33%	-15.51%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.29%	-0.04%	-4.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.52%	-1.03%	-2.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.89%	0.18%	+2.71%

Volatility

PRPFX vs. VTAPX - Volatility Comparison

Permanent Portfolio Permanent Portfolio (PRPFX) has a higher volatility of 2.70% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTAPX) at 0.57%. This indicates that PRPFX'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

	PRPFX	VTAPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.70%	0.57%	+2.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.23%	1.11%	+10.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.50%	1.53%	+10.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.06%	2.67%	+8.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.62%	2.23%	+8.39%

PRPFX vs. VTAPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRPFX has a 0.81% expense ratio, which is higher than VTAPX's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRPFX vs. VTAPX - Dividend Comparison

PRPFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.05%, less than VTAPX's 3.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PRPFX Permanent Portfolio Permanent Portfolio	3.05%	3.27%	1.86%	1.39%	1.58%	2.05%	5.38%	4.69%	6.90%	2.14%	0.95%	7.06%
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%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRPFX and VTAPX in my portfolio?

PRPFX and VTAPX have a correlation of 0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRPFX or VTAPX?

PRPFX has higher volatility (2.70%) compared to VTAPX (0.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRPFX dropped -27.16% vs VTAPX's -5.33%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTAPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.00 vs 2.03), 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.