TDTF vs. VTP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TDTF (FlexShares iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund) and VTP (Vanguard Total Inflation-Protected Securities ETF) are both Inflation-Protected Bonds funds - TDTF tracks the iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS while VTP tracks the ICE U.S. Treasury Inflation Linked Bond Index 0-5. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TDTF charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VTP.

Performance

TDTF vs. VTP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund (TDTF) and Vanguard Total Inflation-Protected Securities ETF (VTP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with TDTF having a 1.52% return and VTP slightly higher at 1.55%.

TDTF

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: -0.44%
• YTD: 1.52%
• 6M: 1.18%
• 1Y: 5.07%
• 3Y*: 4.56%
• 5Y*: 1.72%
• 10Y*: 2.93%

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)

TDTF vs. VTP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
TDTF FlexShares iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund	1.52%	2.24%
VTP Vanguard Total Inflation-Protected Securities ETF	1.55%	2.27%

Correlation

The correlation between TDTF and VTP is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 10, 2025	0.91

Return for Risk

TDTF vs. VTP — Risk / Return Rank

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

TDTF

TDTF Risk / Return Rank: 54
TDTF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
TDTF Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
TDTF Omega Ratio Rank: 48
TDTF Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
TDTF Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

TDTF vs. VTP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund (TDTF) 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.

	TDTF	VTP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.67	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.55	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.22	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.66	—	—
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

	TDTF	VTP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.67	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.30	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	1.31	-0.84

Drawdowns

TDTF vs. VTP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TDTF drawdown since its inception was -12.02%, which is greater than VTP's maximum drawdown of -1.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TDTF and VTP.

Drawdown Indicators

	TDTF	VTP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.02%	-1.92%	-10.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.58%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.79%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-12.02%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-12.02%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.57%	-0.30%	-0.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.91%	-0.52%	-2.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.48%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	TDTF	VTP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.73%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.97%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.06%	3.26%	-0.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.69%	3.26%	+2.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.07%	3.26%	+1.81%

TDTF vs. VTP - Expense Ratio Comparison

TDTF has a 0.18% 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

TDTF vs. VTP - Dividend Comparison

TDTF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.71%, more than VTP's 1.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TDTF FlexShares iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund	4.71%	4.58%	3.98%	3.97%	7.60%	4.55%	1.13%	1.80%	2.60%	2.20%	1.51%	0.21%
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%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TDTF and VTP in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, TDTF and VTP move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, TDTF 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, TDTF or VTP?

VTP is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for TDTF.

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

TDTF has the higher dividend yield at 4.71%, compared with 1.61% for VTP.

What is the main difference between TDTF and VTP?

TDTF tracks iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS, while VTP tracks ICE U.S. Treasury Inflation Linked Bond Index 0-5. They also come from different issuers: Northern Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for TDTF and 0.05% for VTP.