TRBUX vs. VTIP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TRBUX (T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond Fund) and VTIP (Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF) are both funds - TRBUX is a Ultrashort Bond fund managed by T. Rowe Price, while VTIP 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 3.31%/yr vs 3.14%/yr for VTIP. At a 0.19 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TRBUX charges 0.31%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTIP.

Performance

TRBUX vs. VTIP - 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 ETF (VTIP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TRBUX achieves a 1.59% return, which is significantly lower than VTIP's 2.05% return. Over the past 10 years, TRBUX has outperformed VTIP with an annualized return of 3.31%, while VTIP has yielded a comparatively lower 3.14% annualized return.

TRBUX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.56%
• YTD: 1.59%
• 6M: 2.58%
• 1Y: 6.43%
• 3Y*: 6.82%
• 5Y*: 4.32%
• 10Y*: 3.31%

VTIP

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.04%
• YTD: 2.05%
• 6M: 2.03%
• 1Y: 4.70%
• 3Y*: 5.26%
• 5Y*: 3.37%
• 10Y*: 3.14%

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

TRBUX vs. VTIP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TRBUX T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond Fund	1.59%	6.88%	7.88%	6.99%	-1.28%	0.22%	3.11%	3.60%	1.88%	1.83%
VTIP Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF	2.05%	6.07%	4.74%	4.62%	-2.94%	5.36%	4.95%	4.86%	0.56%	0.82%

Correlation

The correlation between TRBUX and VTIP is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16
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	0.18
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 4, 2013	0.19

Return for Risk

TRBUX vs. VTIP — 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

VTIP

VTIP Risk / Return Rank: 93
VTIP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
VTIP Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
VTIP Omega Ratio Rank: 93
VTIP Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
VTIP Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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. VTIP - 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 ETF (VTIP). 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.

	TRBUX	VTIP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.90	3.15	+0.75
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	10.21	5.36	+4.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	4.18	1.67	+2.51
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	16.93	6.75	+10.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	65.96	26.06	+39.90
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TRBUX vs. VTIP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TRBUX Sharpe Ratio is 3.90, which is comparable to the VTIP Sharpe Ratio of 3.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TRBUX and VTIP, 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

	TRBUX	VTIP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.90	3.15	+0.75
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	2.60	1.22	+1.38
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	2.21	1.15	+1.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.96	0.89	+1.06

Drawdowns

TRBUX vs. VTIP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TRBUX drawdown since its inception was -4.15%, smaller than the maximum VTIP drawdown of -6.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TRBUX and VTIP.

Drawdown Indicators

	TRBUX	VTIP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.15%	-6.27%	+2.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.39%	-0.70%	+0.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.78%	-0.98%	+0.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-2.68%	-5.50%	+2.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-4.15%	-6.27%	+2.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.02%	+0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.21%	-1.04%	+0.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.10%	0.18%	-0.08%

Volatility

TRBUX vs. VTIP - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond Fund (TRBUX) has a higher volatility of 0.68% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF (VTIP) at 0.43%. This indicates that TRBUX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTIP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TRBUX	VTIP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.68%	0.43%	+0.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.18%	1.02%	+0.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.71%	1.50%	+0.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.68%	2.77%	-1.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.50%	2.74%	-1.24%

TRBUX vs. VTIP - Expense Ratio Comparison

TRBUX has a 0.31% expense ratio, which is higher than VTIP's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

TRBUX vs. VTIP - Dividend Comparison

TRBUX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.03%, more than VTIP'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	6.03%	6.23%	6.36%	4.48%	1.53%	1.21%	1.86%	2.73%	2.47%	1.62%	1.18%	0.81%
VTIP Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF	3.58%	3.81%	2.70%	2.86%	6.84%	4.68%	1.20%	1.95%	2.45%	1.52%	0.76%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TRBUX and VTIP in my portfolio?

TRBUX and VTIP have a correlation of 0.16, 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 VTIP?

TRBUX has higher volatility (0.68%) compared to VTIP (0.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TRBUX dropped -4.15% vs VTIP's -6.27%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TRBUX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.90 vs 3.15), 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.