VBMPX vs. VTSPX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

VBMPX (Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares) and VTSPX (Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both mutual funds - VBMPX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard, while VTSPX is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VBMPX returned 1.57%/yr vs 3.07%/yr for VTSPX. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VBMPX charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VTSPX.

Performance

VBMPX vs. VTSPX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VBMPX) and Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares (VTSPX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBMPX achieves a 0.43% return, which is significantly lower than VTSPX's 1.46% return. Over the past 10 years, VBMPX has underperformed VTSPX with an annualized return of 1.57%, while VTSPX has yielded a comparatively higher 3.07% annualized return.

VBMPX

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 0.97%
• YTD: 0.43%
• 6M: 0.77%
• 1Y: 4.70%
• 3Y*: 4.10%
• 5Y*: 0.03%
• 10Y*: 1.57%

VTSPX

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: -0.04%
• YTD: 1.46%
• 6M: 1.58%
• 1Y: 3.77%
• 3Y*: 5.06%
• 5Y*: 3.37%
• 10Y*: 3.07%

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

VBMPX vs. VTSPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VBMPX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	0.43%	7.18%	1.27%	5.75%	-13.14%	-1.95%	7.75%	8.74%	-0.24%	3.58%
VTSPX Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares	1.46%	6.06%	4.75%	4.61%	-2.82%	5.32%	4.99%	4.82%	0.59%	0.83%

Correlation

The correlation between VBMPX and VTSPX is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.47
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2013	0.55

The correlation between VBMPX and VTSPX shifts across timeframes, from 0.47 (1 year) to 0.66 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VBMPX vs. VTSPX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBMPX

VBMPX Risk / Return Rank: 21
VBMPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
VBMPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
VBMPX Omega Ratio Rank: 19
VBMPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
VBMPX Martin Ratio Rank: 19

VTSPX

VTSPX Risk / Return Rank: 89
VTSPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
VTSPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
VTSPX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
VTSPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
VTSPX Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

VBMPX vs. VTSPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VBMPX) and Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares (VTSPX). 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.

	VBMPX	VTSPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.21	2.50	-1.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.82	3.95	-2.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.53	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.64	5.51	-3.88
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.65	20.25	-15.60

VBMPX vs. VTSPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBMPX Sharpe Ratio is 1.21, which is lower than the VTSPX Sharpe Ratio of 2.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBMPX and VTSPX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VBMPX vs. VTSPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBMPX drawdown since its inception was -18.90%, which is greater than VTSPX's maximum drawdown of -5.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBMPX and VTSPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBMPX	VTSPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.90%	-5.35%	-13.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.89%	-0.72%	-2.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.99%	-0.92%	-5.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.12%	-5.35%	-12.77%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.90%	-5.35%	-13.55%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.23%	-0.63%	-1.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.53%	-1.01%	-2.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.01%	0.19%	+0.82%

Volatility

VBMPX vs. VTSPX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VBMPX) has a higher volatility of 1.21% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares (VTSPX) at 0.67%. This indicates that VBMPX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTSPX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VBMPX	VTSPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.21%	0.67%	+0.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.86%	1.22%	+1.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.90%	1.58%	+2.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.02%	2.66%	+3.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.99%	2.24%	+2.75%

VBMPX vs. VTSPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBMPX has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VTSPX's 0.04% 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

VBMPX vs. VTSPX - Dividend Comparison

VBMPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.00%, more than VTSPX's 3.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VBMPX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	4.00%	3.88%	3.69%	3.11%	2.61%	1.81%	2.41%	2.75%	2.58%	2.58%	2.55%	2.85%
VTSPX Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares	3.61%	3.81%	2.70%	2.86%	6.84%	4.69%	1.21%	1.96%	2.47%	1.52%	0.80%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VBMPX and VTSPX in my portfolio?

VBMPX and VTSPX have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VBMPX or VTSPX?

VBMPX has higher volatility (1.21%) compared to VTSPX (0.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBMPX dropped -18.90% vs VTSPX's -5.35%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTSPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.50 vs 1.21), 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.