VAIPX vs. TRBFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VAIPX (Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund Admiral Shares) and TRBFX (T. Rowe Price Limited Duration Inflation Focused Bond Fund) are both Inflation-Protected Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, VAIPX returned 2.64%/yr vs 2.93%/yr for TRBFX. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VAIPX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for TRBFX.

Performance

VAIPX vs. TRBFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund Admiral Shares (VAIPX) and T. Rowe Price Limited Duration Inflation Focused Bond Fund (TRBFX). 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 TRBFX's 1.76% return. Over the past 10 years, VAIPX has underperformed TRBFX with an annualized return of 2.64%, while TRBFX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.93% annualized 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%

TRBFX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.11%
• YTD: 1.76%
• 6M: 1.77%
• 1Y: 4.67%
• 3Y*: 4.95%
• 5Y*: 2.52%
• 10Y*: 2.93%

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

VAIPX vs. TRBFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VAIPX Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund Admiral Shares	1.65%	6.87%	1.85%	3.83%	-11.92%	5.69%	10.96%	8.16%	-1.39%	2.91%
TRBFX T. Rowe Price Limited Duration Inflation Focused Bond Fund	1.76%	6.34%	4.60%	3.01%	-5.19%	5.77%	5.65%	6.53%	0.28%	0.80%

Correlation

The correlation between VAIPX and TRBFX is 0.56, 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	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 7, 2015	0.68

The correlation between VAIPX and TRBFX shifts across timeframes, from 0.56 (1 year) to 0.72 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VAIPX vs. TRBFX — 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

TRBFX

TRBFX Risk / Return Rank: 19
TRBFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
TRBFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
TRBFX Omega Ratio Rank: 48
TRBFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
TRBFX Martin Ratio Rank: 9

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. TRBFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund Admiral Shares (VAIPX) and T. Rowe Price Limited Duration Inflation Focused Bond Fund (TRBFX). 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	TRBFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.54	0.91	+0.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.35	1.35	+1.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.38	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.53	1.32	+1.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.02	2.66	+5.36
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. TRBFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VAIPX Sharpe Ratio is 1.54, which is higher than the TRBFX Sharpe Ratio of 0.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VAIPX and TRBFX, 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	TRBFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.54	0.91	+0.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20	0.49	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	0.73	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.72	-0.21

Drawdowns

VAIPX vs. TRBFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VAIPX drawdown since its inception was -15.04%, which is greater than TRBFX's maximum drawdown of -7.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VAIPX and TRBFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VAIPX	TRBFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.04%	-7.33%	-7.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.05%	-3.48%	+1.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.52%	-3.51%	-1.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.40%	-7.33%	-7.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-14.40%	-7.33%	-7.07%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.09%	-1.36%	+1.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.81%	-1.42%	-2.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.65%	1.70%	-1.05%

Volatility

VAIPX vs. TRBFX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund Admiral Shares (VAIPX) has a higher volatility of 0.97% compared to T. Rowe Price Limited Duration Inflation Focused Bond Fund (TRBFX) at 0.61%. This indicates that VAIPX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TRBFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VAIPX	TRBFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.97%	0.61%	+0.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.32%	4.76%	-2.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.38%	5.06%	-1.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.99%	5.15%	+0.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.32%	4.01%	+1.31%

VAIPX vs. TRBFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VAIPX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than TRBFX's 0.41% expense ratio.

Dividends

VAIPX vs. TRBFX - Dividend Comparison

VAIPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.49%, less than TRBFX's 4.79% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TRBFX T. Rowe Price Limited Duration Inflation Focused Bond Fund	4.79%	4.95%	4.48%	3.64%	6.11%	4.99%	1.38%	3.27%	2.34%	1.61%	1.10%	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 TRBFX in my portfolio?

VAIPX and TRBFX have a correlation of 0.56, 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 TRBFX?

VAIPX has higher volatility (0.97%) compared to TRBFX (0.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VAIPX dropped -15.04% vs TRBFX's -7.33%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VAIPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.54 vs 0.91), 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.