STIP vs. VTP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

STIP (iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond ETF) and VTP (Vanguard Total Inflation-Protected Securities ETF) are both Inflation-Protected Bonds funds - STIP tracks the Barclays Capital U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) 0-5 Years Index (Series-L) while VTP tracks the ICE U.S. Treasury Inflation Linked Bond Index 0-5. Both are passively managed. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. STIP charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VTP.

Performance

STIP vs. VTP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond ETF (STIP) and Vanguard Total Inflation-Protected Securities ETF (VTP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, STIP achieves a 2.04% return, which is significantly higher than VTP's 1.55% return.

STIP

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.03%
• YTD: 2.04%
• 6M: 2.03%
• 1Y: 4.68%
• 3Y*: 5.23%
• 5Y*: 3.37%
• 10Y*: 3.18%

VTP

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: -0.08%
• YTD: 1.55%
• 6M: 1.09%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

STIP vs. VTP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
STIP iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond ETF	2.04%	1.86%
VTP Vanguard Total Inflation-Protected Securities ETF	1.55%	2.27%

Correlation

The correlation between STIP and VTP is 0.77, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 10, 2025	0.77

Return for Risk

STIP vs. VTP — Risk / Return Rank

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

STIP

STIP Risk / Return Rank: 93
STIP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
STIP Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
STIP Omega Ratio Rank: 94
STIP Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
STIP Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

STIP vs. VTP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond ETF (STIP) and Vanguard Total Inflation-Protected Securities ETF (VTP). 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.

	STIP	VTP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.23	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.59	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.69	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.76	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	26.37	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	STIP	VTP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.23	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.23	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.30	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.07	1.31	-0.24

Drawdowns

STIP vs. VTP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STIP drawdown since its inception was -5.50%, which is greater than VTP's maximum drawdown of -1.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STIP and VTP.

Drawdown Indicators

	STIP	VTP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.50%	-1.92%	-3.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.69%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.95%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-5.50%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-5.50%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.03%	-0.30%	+0.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.99%	-0.52%	-0.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.18%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	STIP	VTP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.40%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.99%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.46%	3.26%	-1.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.75%	3.26%	-0.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.45%	3.26%	-0.81%

STIP vs. VTP - Expense Ratio Comparison

STIP has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is higher than VTP's 0.05% 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

STIP vs. VTP - Dividend Comparison

STIP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.30%, more than VTP's 1.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
STIP iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond ETF	4.30%	4.11%	2.62%	2.84%	6.04%	4.15%	1.40%	2.06%	2.44%	1.59%	0.89%
VTP Vanguard Total Inflation-Protected Securities ETF	1.61%	1.56%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STIP and VTP in my portfolio?

STIP and VTP have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, STIP or VTP?

On fees, VTP is cheaper at 0.05% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, STIP or VTP?

VTP is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.06% for STIP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, STIP or VTP?

STIP has the higher dividend yield at 4.30%, compared with 1.61% for VTP.

What is the main difference between STIP and VTP?

STIP tracks Barclays Capital U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) 0-5 Years Index (Series-L), while VTP tracks ICE U.S. Treasury Inflation Linked Bond Index 0-5. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for STIP and 0.05% for VTP.