VB vs. SPIP
VB (Vanguard Small-Cap ETF) and SPIP (SPDR Portfolio TIPS ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VB is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Index, while SPIP is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Barclays US Government Inflation-linked Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VB returned 11.18%/yr vs 2.50%/yr for SPIP. At a correlation of -0.11, they often move in opposite directions. VB charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for SPIP.
Performance
VB vs. SPIP - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VB achieves a 12.60% return, which is significantly higher than SPIP's 0.90% return. Over the past 10 years, VB has outperformed SPIP with an annualized return of 11.18%, while SPIP has yielded a comparatively lower 2.50% annualized return.
VB
- 1D
- 0.40%
- 1M
- 0.41%
- YTD
- 12.60%
- 6M
- 12.39%
- 1Y
- 25.97%
- 3Y*
- 15.91%
- 5Y*
- 6.58%
- 10Y*
- 11.18%
SPIP
- 1D
- -0.16%
- 1M
- -0.83%
- YTD
- 0.90%
- 6M
- 0.92%
- 1Y
- 4.77%
- 3Y*
- 3.64%
- 5Y*
- 0.78%
- 10Y*
- 2.50%
VB vs. SPIP - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF | 12.60% | 8.87% | 14.17% | 18.22% | -17.51% | 17.57% | 19.19% | 27.34% | -9.34% | 16.26% |
SPIP SPDR Portfolio TIPS ETF | 0.90% | 6.78% | 2.35% | 2.98% | -12.84% | 5.80% | 11.41% | 9.14% | -1.53% | 3.16% |
Correlation
The correlation between VB and SPIP is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.25 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.18 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.05 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 31, 2007 | -0.11 |
The correlation between VB and SPIP shifts across timeframes, from -0.11 (all time) to 0.25 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VB vs. SPIP — Risk / Return Rank
VB
SPIP
VB vs. SPIP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) and SPDR Portfolio TIPS ETF (SPIP). 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.
| VB | SPIP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.24 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.31 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.28 | 1.24 | +0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.91 | 2.34 | +0.56 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.66 | 6.86 | +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. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VB | SPIP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.59 | 1.35 | +0.24 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.32 | 0.12 | +0.20 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.52 | 0.42 | +0.11 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.44 | 0.52 | -0.09 |
Drawdowns
VB vs. SPIP - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VB drawdown since its inception was -59.56%, which is greater than SPIP's maximum drawdown of -15.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VB and SPIP.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VB | SPIP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -59.56% | -15.39% | -44.17% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.98% | -2.04% | -6.94% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -25.36% | -4.76% | -20.60% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.15% | -15.39% | -12.76% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -42.05% | -15.39% | -26.66% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.04% | -1.60% | -0.44% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.43% | -4.10% | -4.33% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.44% | 0.70% | +1.74% |
Volatility
VB vs. SPIP - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) has a higher volatility of 4.62% compared to SPDR Portfolio TIPS ETF (SPIP) at 1.00%. This indicates that VB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPIP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VB | SPIP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.62% | 1.00% | +3.62% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.97% | 2.57% | +9.40% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.45% | 3.56% | +12.89% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.77% | 6.57% | +14.20% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.44% | 6.01% | +15.43% |
VB vs. SPIP - Expense Ratio Comparison
VB has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than SPIP's 0.12% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VB vs. SPIP - Dividend Comparison
VB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.21%, less than SPIP's 4.78% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SPIP SPDR Portfolio TIPS ETF | 4.78% | 4.09% | 3.36% | 3.70% | 7.05% | 4.53% | 1.97% | 2.91% | 2.80% | 3.02% | 1.88% | 0.14% |
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF | 1.21% | 1.33% | 1.30% | 1.55% | 1.59% | 1.24% | 1.14% | 1.39% | 1.67% | 1.35% | 1.50% | 1.48% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VB and SPIP have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VB has higher volatility (4.62%) compared to SPIP (1.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VB dropped -59.56% vs SPIP's -15.39%.
On 10-year performance, VB leads with 11.18% vs 2.50% for SPIP. On fees, VB is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, SPIP has been the lower-risk option at 1.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VB has performed better with a 11.18% return vs 2.50%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VB is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.12% for SPIP.
SPIP has the higher dividend yield at 4.78%, compared with 1.21% for VB.
VB is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while SPIP is Inflation-Protected Bonds. VB tracks CRSP US Small Cap Index, while SPIP tracks Bloomberg Barclays US Government Inflation-linked Bond Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for VB and 0.12% for SPIP.
VB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.59 vs 1.35), 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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