VAIPX vs. DFAAX
VAIPX (Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund Admiral Shares) and DFAAX (DFA Global Core Plus Real Return Portfolio) are both Inflation-Protected Bonds funds. Over the past 5 years, VAIPX returned 0.26%/yr vs 4.28%/yr for DFAAX. Their correlation of 0.80 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VAIPX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.29%/yr for DFAAX.
Performance
VAIPX vs. DFAAX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VAIPX achieves a 0.41% return, which is significantly lower than DFAAX's 1.93% return.
VAIPX
- 1D
- -0.13%
- 1M
- -0.53%
- 6M
- 0.19%
- YTD
- 0.41%
- 1Y
- 1.81%
- 3Y*
- 3.82%
- 5Y*
- 0.26%
- 10Y*
- 2.42%
- ALL TIME*
- 2.93%
DFAAX
- 1D
- -0.10%
- 1M
- -0.72%
- 6M
- 0.68%
- YTD
- 1.93%
- 1Y
- 3.27%
- 3Y*
- 5.47%
- 5Y*
- 4.28%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 4.80%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
VAIPX vs. DFAAX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VAIPX Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund Admiral Shares | 0.41% | 6.87% | 1.85% | 3.83% | -11.92% | 5.19% |
DFAAX DFA Global Core Plus Real Return Portfolio | 1.93% | 5.18% | 4.41% | 9.49% | -13.40% | 20.47% |
Correlation
The correlation between VAIPX and DFAAX is 0.70, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.70 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.79 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.81 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 5, 2021 | 0.80 |
The correlation between VAIPX and DFAAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.70 (1 year) to 0.81 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VAIPX vs. DFAAX — Risk / Return Rank
VAIPX
DFAAX
VAIPX vs. DFAAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund Admiral Shares (VAIPX) and DFA Global Core Plus Real Return Portfolio (DFAAX). 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.
| VAIPX | DFAAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.32 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.50 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.13 | 1.20 | -0.07 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.21 | 1.25 | -0.05 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.40 | 4.26 | -0.86 |
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Drawdowns
VAIPX vs. DFAAX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VAIPX drawdown since its inception was -15.04%, smaller than the maximum DFAAX drawdown of -16.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VAIPX and DFAAX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VAIPX | DFAAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -15.04% | -16.64% | +1.60% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.05% | -2.55% | +0.50% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -3.83% | -3.13% | -0.70% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -14.40% | -16.64% | +2.24% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -14.40% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.31% | -1.10% | -0.21% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.79% | -4.42% | +0.63% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.73% | 0.75% | -0.02% |
Volatility
VAIPX vs. DFAAX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund Admiral Shares (VAIPX) has a higher volatility of 0.74% compared to DFA Global Core Plus Real Return Portfolio (DFAAX) at 0.69%. This indicates that VAIPX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFAAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VAIPX | DFAAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.74% | 0.69% | +0.05% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.50% | 2.32% | +0.18% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.31% | 2.98% | +0.33% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.97% | 8.36% | -2.39% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.31% | 8.20% | -2.89% |
VAIPX vs. DFAAX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VAIPX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than DFAAX's 0.29% expense ratio.
Dividends
VAIPX vs. DFAAX - Dividend Comparison
VAIPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.08%, more than DFAAX's 4.61% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFAAX DFA Global Core Plus Real Return Portfolio | 4.61% | 2.90% | 4.09% | 3.96% | 2.06% | 13.05% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VAIPX Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund Admiral Shares | 5.08% | 4.74% | 4.17% | 4.31% | 8.45% | 5.13% | 1.38% | 2.29% | 3.12% | 2.41% | 3.49% | 0.88% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VAIPX and DFAAX have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VAIPX has higher volatility (0.74%) compared to DFAAX (0.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VAIPX dropped -15.04% vs DFAAX's -16.64%.
DFAAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.07 vs 0.75), 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.
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