TLDTX vs. APOIX

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

TLDTX (T. Rowe Price U.S. Limited Duration TIPS Index Fund) and APOIX (American Century Short Duration Inflation Protection Bond Fund Investor Class) are both Inflation-Protected Bonds funds. Over the past 5 years, TLDTX returned 1.81%/yr vs 2.84%/yr for APOIX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TLDTX charges 0.21%/yr vs 0.57%/yr for APOIX.

Performance

TLDTX vs. APOIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price U.S. Limited Duration TIPS Index Fund (TLDTX) and American Century Short Duration Inflation Protection Bond Fund Investor Class (APOIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TLDTX achieves a 0.93% return, which is significantly lower than APOIX's 1.19% return.

TLDTX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.21%
• YTD: 0.93%
• 6M: 1.18%
• 1Y: 3.21%
• 3Y*: 3.61%
• 5Y*: 1.81%
• 10Y*: —

APOIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.35%
• YTD: 1.19%
• 6M: 1.19%
• 1Y: 3.18%
• 3Y*: 4.62%
• 5Y*: 2.84%
• 10Y*: 3.01%

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

TLDTX vs. APOIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
TLDTX T. Rowe Price U.S. Limited Duration TIPS Index Fund	0.93%	6.32%	1.16%	3.23%	-4.84%	5.08%	1.50%
APOIX American Century Short Duration Inflation Protection Bond Fund Investor Class	1.19%	5.95%	4.15%	3.82%	-3.89%	6.30%	1.60%

Correlation

The correlation between TLDTX and APOIX 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 (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 17, 2020	0.87

The correlation between TLDTX and APOIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.77 (1 year) to 0.87 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

TLDTX vs. APOIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TLDTX

TLDTX Risk / Return Rank: 15
TLDTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
TLDTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
TLDTX Omega Ratio Rank: 34
TLDTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
TLDTX Martin Ratio Rank: 8

APOIX

APOIX Risk / Return Rank: 62
APOIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
APOIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
APOIX Omega Ratio Rank: 52
APOIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
APOIX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

TLDTX vs. APOIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price U.S. Limited Duration TIPS Index Fund (TLDTX) and American Century Short Duration Inflation Protection Bond Fund Investor Class (APOIX). 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.

	TLDTX	APOIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.67	1.72	-1.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.02	2.64	-1.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.35	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.98	3.86	-2.88
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.87	12.72	-10.84

TLDTX vs. APOIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TLDTX Sharpe Ratio is 0.67, which is lower than the APOIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TLDTX and APOIX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

TLDTX vs. APOIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TLDTX drawdown since its inception was -7.24%, smaller than the maximum APOIX drawdown of -14.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TLDTX and APOIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TLDTX	APOIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.24%	-14.54%	+7.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.28%	-0.82%	-2.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.50%	-1.42%	-3.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-7.24%	-6.58%	-0.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-6.58%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.03%	-0.82%	-1.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.27%	-1.99%	-0.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.72%	0.25%	+1.47%

Volatility

TLDTX vs. APOIX - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price U.S. Limited Duration TIPS Index Fund (TLDTX) has a higher volatility of 0.87% compared to American Century Short Duration Inflation Protection Bond Fund Investor Class (APOIX) at 0.66%. This indicates that TLDTX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than APOIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TLDTX	APOIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.87%	0.66%	+0.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.51%	1.35%	+0.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.78%	1.85%	+2.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.66%	3.31%	+1.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.46%	2.85%	+1.61%

TLDTX vs. APOIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TLDTX has a 0.21% expense ratio, which is lower than APOIX's 0.57% expense ratio.

Dividends

TLDTX vs. APOIX - Dividend Comparison

TLDTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.51%, more than APOIX's 3.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
APOIX American Century Short Duration Inflation Protection Bond Fund Investor Class	3.55%	3.99%	2.31%	2.78%	5.63%	3.92%	0.81%	1.69%	3.99%	1.52%	0.42%
TLDTX T. Rowe Price U.S. Limited Duration TIPS Index Fund	4.51%	4.66%	1.63%	4.09%	6.45%	4.11%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TLDTX and APOIX in my portfolio?

TLDTX and APOIX 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 is riskier, TLDTX or APOIX?

TLDTX has higher volatility (0.87%) compared to APOIX (0.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TLDTX dropped -7.24% vs APOIX's -14.54%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

APOIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.72 vs 0.67), 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.