VAIPX vs. IAUM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VAIPX (Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund Admiral Shares) and IAUM (iShares Gold Trust Micro) are both funds - VAIPX is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund managed by Vanguard, while IAUM is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Over the past 3 years, VAIPX returned 4.04%/yr vs 31.53%/yr for IAUM. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VAIPX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for IAUM.

Performance

VAIPX vs. IAUM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund Admiral Shares (VAIPX) and iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VAIPX achieves a 1.65% return, which is significantly lower than IAUM's 3.00% return.

VAIPX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.13%
• YTD: 1.65%
• 6M: 1.27%
• 1Y: 5.31%
• 3Y*: 4.04%
• 5Y*: 1.17%
• 10Y*: 2.64%

IAUM

• 1D: -0.96%
• 1M: -1.62%
• YTD: 3.00%
• 6M: 5.58%
• 1Y: 32.42%
• 3Y*: 31.53%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VAIPX vs. IAUM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
VAIPX Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund Admiral Shares	1.65%	6.87%	1.85%	3.83%	-11.92%	4.09%
IAUM iShares Gold Trust Micro	3.00%	64.27%	27.04%	13.12%	-0.49%	3.87%

Correlation

The correlation between VAIPX and IAUM is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.27
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 30, 2021	0.35

The correlation between VAIPX and IAUM shifts across timeframes, from 0.23 (1 year) to 0.35 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VAIPX vs. IAUM — Risk / Return Rank

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

VAIPX

VAIPX Risk / Return Rank: 34
VAIPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
VAIPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
VAIPX Omega Ratio Rank: 28
VAIPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
VAIPX Martin Ratio Rank: 36

IAUM

IAUM Risk / Return Rank: 32
IAUM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
IAUM Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
IAUM Omega Ratio Rank: 36
IAUM Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
IAUM Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

VAIPX vs. IAUM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund Admiral Shares (VAIPX) and iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM). 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.

	VAIPX	IAUM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.54	1.24	+0.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.35	1.63	+0.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.25	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.53	1.70	+0.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.02	4.22	+3.80
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VAIPX vs. IAUM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VAIPX Sharpe Ratio is 1.54, which is comparable to the IAUM Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VAIPX and IAUM, 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

	VAIPX	IAUM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.54	1.24	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	1.16	-0.64

Drawdowns

VAIPX vs. IAUM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VAIPX drawdown since its inception was -15.04%, smaller than the maximum IAUM drawdown of -20.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VAIPX and IAUM.

Drawdown Indicators

	VAIPX	IAUM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.04%	-20.87%	+5.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.05%	-19.15%	+17.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.52%	-19.15%	+14.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.40%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-14.40%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.09%	-17.68%	+17.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.81%	-5.30%	+1.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.65%	7.70%	-7.05%

Volatility

VAIPX vs. IAUM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund Admiral Shares (VAIPX) is 0.97%, while iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) has a volatility of 5.50%. This indicates that VAIPX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IAUM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VAIPX	IAUM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.97%	5.50%	-4.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.32%	22.89%	-20.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.38%	26.31%	-22.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.99%	17.86%	-11.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.32%	17.86%	-12.54%

VAIPX vs. IAUM - Expense Ratio Comparison

VAIPX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than IAUM's 0.09% 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

VAIPX vs. IAUM - Dividend Comparison

VAIPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.49%, while IAUM has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IAUM iShares Gold Trust Micro	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VAIPX Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund Admiral Shares	4.49%	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

Can I hold both VAIPX and IAUM in my portfolio?

VAIPX and IAUM have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VAIPX or IAUM?

IAUM has higher volatility (5.50%) compared to VAIPX (0.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VAIPX dropped -15.04% vs IAUM's -20.87%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VAIPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.54 vs 1.24), 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.