TRBUX vs. VTAPX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

TRBUX (T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond Fund) and VTAPX (Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - TRBUX is a Ultrashort Bond fund managed by T. Rowe Price, while VTAPX is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) 0-5 Year Index. Over the past 10 years, TRBUX returned 3.29%/yr vs 3.05%/yr for VTAPX. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TRBUX charges 0.31%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VTAPX.

Performance

TRBUX vs. VTAPX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond Fund (TRBUX) and Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTAPX). 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 TRBUX having a 1.39% return and VTAPX slightly higher at 1.45%. Over the past 10 years, TRBUX has outperformed VTAPX with an annualized return of 3.29%, while VTAPX has yielded a comparatively lower 3.05% annualized return.

TRBUX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.36%
• YTD: 1.39%
• 6M: 2.18%
• 1Y: 6.22%
• 3Y*: 6.75%
• 5Y*: 4.28%
• 10Y*: 3.29%

VTAPX

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: -0.04%
• YTD: 1.45%
• 6M: 1.53%
• 1Y: 3.73%
• 3Y*: 5.04%
• 5Y*: 3.35%
• 10Y*: 3.05%

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

TRBUX vs. VTAPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TRBUX T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond Fund	1.39%	6.88%	7.88%	6.99%	-1.28%	0.22%	3.11%	3.60%	1.88%	1.83%
VTAPX Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.45%	6.03%	4.73%	4.59%	-2.84%	5.26%	4.97%	4.85%	0.53%	0.82%

Correlation

The correlation between TRBUX and VTAPX is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.24
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 3, 2013	0.21

Return for Risk

TRBUX vs. VTAPX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TRBUX

TRBUX Risk / Return Rank: 99
TRBUX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
TRBUX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
TRBUX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
TRBUX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
TRBUX Martin Ratio Rank: 99

VTAPX

VTAPX Risk / Return Rank: 89
VTAPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
VTAPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
VTAPX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
VTAPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
VTAPX Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

TRBUX vs. VTAPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond Fund (TRBUX) and Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTAPX). 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.

	TRBUX	VTAPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.69	2.48	+1.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	9.03	3.83	+5.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	3.56	1.51	+2.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	16.38	5.46	+10.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	61.46	20.22	+41.24

TRBUX vs. VTAPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TRBUX Sharpe Ratio is 3.69, which is higher than the VTAPX Sharpe Ratio of 2.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TRBUX and VTAPX, 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

TRBUX vs. VTAPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TRBUX drawdown since its inception was -4.15%, smaller than the maximum VTAPX drawdown of -5.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TRBUX and VTAPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TRBUX	VTAPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.15%	-5.33%	+1.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.39%	-0.72%	+0.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.78%	-0.92%	+0.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-2.68%	-5.33%	+2.65%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-4.15%	-5.33%	+1.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.20%	-0.63%	+0.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.21%	-1.03%	+0.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.10%	0.19%	-0.09%

Volatility

TRBUX vs. VTAPX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond Fund (TRBUX) is 0.61%, while Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTAPX) has a volatility of 0.67%. This indicates that TRBUX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTAPX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TRBUX	VTAPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.61%	0.67%	-0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.19%	1.21%	-0.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.74%	1.58%	+0.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.69%	2.66%	-0.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.51%	2.24%	-0.73%

TRBUX vs. VTAPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TRBUX has a 0.31% expense ratio, which is higher than VTAPX's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

TRBUX vs. VTAPX - Dividend Comparison

TRBUX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.04%, more than VTAPX's 3.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TRBUX T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond Fund	6.04%	6.23%	6.36%	4.48%	1.53%	1.21%	1.86%	2.73%	2.47%	1.62%	1.18%	0.81%
VTAPX Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.58%	3.78%	2.68%	2.84%	6.82%	4.67%	1.19%	1.94%	2.45%	1.52%	0.76%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TRBUX and VTAPX in my portfolio?

TRBUX and VTAPX have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TRBUX or VTAPX?

VTAPX has higher volatility (0.67%) compared to TRBUX (0.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TRBUX dropped -4.15% vs VTAPX's -5.33%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TRBUX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.69 vs 2.48), 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.