PRTIX vs. VSBSX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PRTIX (T. Rowe Price U.S. Treasury Intermediate Index Fund) and VSBSX (Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Government Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, PRTIX returned 0.97%/yr vs 1.75%/yr for VSBSX. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PRTIX charges 0.27%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VSBSX.

Performance

PRTIX vs. VSBSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price U.S. Treasury Intermediate Index Fund (PRTIX) and Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSBSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PRTIX achieves a -0.64% return, which is significantly lower than VSBSX's 0.51% return. Over the past 10 years, PRTIX has underperformed VSBSX with an annualized return of 0.97%, while VSBSX has yielded a comparatively higher 1.75% annualized return.

PRTIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.12%
• YTD: -0.64%
• 6M: -0.38%
• 1Y: 4.83%
• 3Y*: 3.75%
• 5Y*: -0.21%
• 10Y*: 0.97%

VSBSX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.11%
• YTD: 0.51%
• 6M: 0.78%
• 1Y: 3.46%
• 3Y*: 4.28%
• 5Y*: 1.87%
• 10Y*: 1.75%

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

PRTIX vs. VSBSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRTIX T. Rowe Price U.S. Treasury Intermediate Index Fund	-0.64%	8.91%	1.64%	3.49%	-12.61%	-2.99%	8.05%	6.65%	1.02%	1.24%
VSBSX Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.51%	5.08%	4.39%	4.23%	-3.87%	-0.69%	3.09%	3.51%	1.52%	0.35%

Correlation

The correlation between PRTIX and VSBSX is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009	0.76

The correlation between PRTIX and VSBSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PRTIX vs. VSBSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRTIX

PRTIX Risk / Return Rank: 17
PRTIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
PRTIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
PRTIX Omega Ratio Rank: 16
PRTIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
PRTIX Martin Ratio Rank: 15

VSBSX

VSBSX Risk / Return Rank: 86
VSBSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
VSBSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
VSBSX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
VSBSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
VSBSX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

PRTIX vs. VSBSX - 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 Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSBSX). 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.

	PRTIX	VSBSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.19	2.68	-1.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.80	4.40	-2.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.57	-0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.38	4.09	-2.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.19	16.89	-12.70
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PRTIX vs. VSBSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRTIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.19, which is lower than the VSBSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRTIX and VSBSX, 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

	PRTIX	VSBSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.19	2.68	-1.49
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.03	0.96	-1.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.19	1.14	-0.95
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.88	1.07	-0.19

Drawdowns

PRTIX vs. VSBSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRTIX drawdown since its inception was -18.93%, which is greater than VSBSX's maximum drawdown of -5.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRTIX and VSBSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRTIX	VSBSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.93%	-5.77%	-13.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.45%	-0.84%	-2.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.29%	-0.84%	-4.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.70%	-5.77%	-11.93%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.93%	-5.77%	-13.16%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.41%	-0.21%	-4.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.94%	-0.59%	-2.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.12%	0.20%	+0.92%

Volatility

PRTIX vs. VSBSX - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price U.S. Treasury Intermediate Index Fund (PRTIX) has a higher volatility of 1.38% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSBSX) at 0.37%. This indicates that PRTIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSBSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRTIX	VSBSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.38%	0.37%	+1.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.88%	0.87%	+2.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.00%	1.28%	+2.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.15%	1.95%	+4.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.13%	1.54%	+3.59%

PRTIX vs. VSBSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRTIX has a 0.27% expense ratio, which is higher than VSBSX'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

PRTIX vs. VSBSX - Dividend Comparison

PRTIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.99%, more than VSBSX's 3.84% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PRTIX T. Rowe Price U.S. Treasury Intermediate Index Fund	4.99%	4.92%	4.85%	3.99%	1.17%	0.76%	2.80%	2.08%	1.86%	1.60%	2.25%	2.48%
VSBSX Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.84%	3.98%	4.50%	3.29%	1.12%	0.63%	1.72%	2.26%	1.80%	1.10%	0.76%	0.71%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRTIX and VSBSX in my portfolio?

PRTIX and VSBSX have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRTIX or VSBSX?

PRTIX has higher volatility (1.38%) compared to VSBSX (0.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRTIX dropped -18.93% vs VSBSX's -5.77%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSBSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.68 vs 1.19), 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.