PRTIX vs. VO
PRTIX (T. Rowe Price U.S. Treasury Intermediate Index Fund) and VO (Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF) are both funds - PRTIX is a Government Bonds fund managed by T. Rowe Price, while VO is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Mid Cap Index. Over the past 10 years, PRTIX returned 0.82%/yr vs 11.46%/yr for VO. Their -0.19 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. PRTIX charges 0.27%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VO.
Performance
PRTIX vs. VO - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PRTIX achieves a -1.00% return, which is significantly lower than VO's 13.50% return. Over the past 10 years, PRTIX has underperformed VO with an annualized return of 0.82%, while VO has yielded a comparatively higher 11.46% annualized return.
PRTIX
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- -0.80%
- 6M
- -0.73%
- YTD
- -1.00%
- 1Y
- 1.88%
- 3Y*
- 4.03%
- 5Y*
- -0.61%
- 10Y*
- 0.82%
- ALL TIME*
- 4.32%
VO
- 1D
- 1.03%
- 1M
- 1.58%
- 6M
- 10.76%
- YTD
- 13.50%
- 1Y
- 17.71%
- 3Y*
- 15.53%
- 5Y*
- 7.98%
- 10Y*
- 11.46%
- ALL TIME*
- 10.37%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $194.14M | $292.34M | $238.59M |
PRTIX vs. VO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PRTIX T. Rowe Price U.S. Treasury Intermediate Index Fund | -1.00% | 8.91% | 1.64% | 3.49% | -12.61% | -2.99% | 8.05% | 6.65% | 1.02% | 1.24% |
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF | 13.50% | 11.62% | 15.31% | 16.03% | -18.73% | 24.70% | 18.10% | 30.98% | -9.24% | 19.28% |
Correlation
The correlation between PRTIX and VO is 0.29, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.29 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.19 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.12 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | -0.03 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004 | -0.19 |
The correlation between PRTIX and VO shifts across timeframes, from -0.19 (all time) to 0.29 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
PRTIX vs. VO — Risk / Return Rank
PRTIX
VO
PRTIX vs. VO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price U.S. Treasury Intermediate Index Fund (PRTIX) and Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO). 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.
| PRTIX | VO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.61 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.83 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.14 | 1.25 | -0.11 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.05 | 2.18 | -1.13 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.43 | 8.33 | -5.90 |
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Drawdowns
PRTIX vs. VO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PRTIX drawdown since its inception was -18.93%, smaller than the maximum VO drawdown of -58.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRTIX and VO.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PRTIX | VO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.93% | -58.87% | +39.94% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.15% | -8.17% | +5.02% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.51% | -19.02% | +14.51% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.70% | -27.57% | +9.87% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -18.93% | -39.37% | +20.44% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.75% | 0.00% | -4.75% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.94% | -7.81% | +4.87% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.34% | 2.13% | -0.79% |
Volatility
PRTIX vs. VO - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for T. Rowe Price U.S. Treasury Intermediate Index Fund (PRTIX) is 1.08%, while Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO) has a volatility of 2.31%. This indicates that PRTIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PRTIX | VO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.08% | 2.31% | -1.23% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.15% | 9.42% | -6.27% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.08% | 12.58% | -8.50% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.17% | 17.60% | -11.43% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.13% | 18.87% | -13.74% |
PRTIX vs. VO - Expense Ratio Comparison
PRTIX has a 0.27% expense ratio, which is higher than VO's 0.03% 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
PRTIX vs. VO - Dividend Comparison
PRTIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.75%, more than VO's 1.31% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PRTIX T. Rowe Price U.S. Treasury Intermediate Index Fund | 4.75% | 4.92% | 4.85% | 3.99% | 1.17% | 0.76% | 2.80% | 2.08% | 1.86% | 1.60% | 2.25% | 2.48% |
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF | 1.31% | 1.52% | 1.49% | 1.52% | 1.60% | 1.12% | 1.45% | 1.48% | 1.82% | 1.35% | 1.45% | 1.47% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PRTIX and VO have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VO has higher volatility (2.31%) compared to PRTIX (1.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRTIX dropped -18.93% vs VO's -58.87%.
VO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.42 vs 0.81), 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.
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