VBTIX vs. VTIP

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

VBTIX (Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Shares) and VTIP (Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF) are both funds - VBTIX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard, while VTIP is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) 0-5 Year Index. Over the past 10 years, VBTIX returned 1.54%/yr vs 3.09%/yr for VTIP. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VBTIX charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTIP.

Performance

VBTIX vs. VTIP - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBTIX achieves a 0.43% return, which is significantly lower than VTIP's 1.85% return. Over the past 10 years, VBTIX has underperformed VTIP with an annualized return of 1.54%, while VTIP has yielded a comparatively higher 3.09% annualized return.

VBTIX

• 1D: 0.52%
• 1M: 1.18%
• YTD: 0.43%
• 6M: 0.97%
• 1Y: 4.92%
• 3Y*: 4.06%
• 5Y*: 0.06%
• 10Y*: 1.54%

VTIP

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: -0.06%
• YTD: 1.85%
• 6M: 1.95%
• 1Y: 4.51%
• 3Y*: 5.25%
• 5Y*: 3.37%
• 10Y*: 3.09%

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

VBTIX vs. VTIP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VBTIX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.43%	7.18%	1.27%	5.75%	-13.15%	-1.95%	7.75%	8.74%	-0.24%	3.56%
VTIP Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF	1.85%	6.07%	4.74%	4.62%	-2.94%	5.36%	4.95%	4.86%	0.56%	0.82%

Correlation

The correlation between VBTIX and VTIP is 0.49, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.49
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 16, 2012	0.52

The correlation between VBTIX and VTIP shifts across timeframes, from 0.49 (1 year) to 0.67 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VBTIX vs. VTIP — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBTIX

VBTIX Risk / Return Rank: 30
VBTIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
VBTIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
VBTIX Omega Ratio Rank: 30
VBTIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
VBTIX Martin Ratio Rank: 26

VTIP

VTIP Risk / Return Rank: 95
VTIP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
VTIP Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
VTIP Omega Ratio Rank: 95
VTIP Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
VTIP 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.

VBTIX vs. VTIP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	VBTIX	VTIP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.26	3.07	-1.81
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.90	5.24	-3.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.65	-0.43
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.71	6.57	-4.86
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.95	25.36	-20.42

VBTIX vs. VTIP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBTIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.26, which is lower than the VTIP Sharpe Ratio of 3.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBTIX and VTIP, 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

VBTIX vs. VTIP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBTIX drawdown since its inception was -18.90%, which is greater than VTIP's maximum drawdown of -6.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBTIX and VTIP.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBTIX	VTIP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.90%	-6.27%	-12.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.89%	-0.70%	-2.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.99%	-0.98%	-5.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.13%	-5.50%	-12.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.90%	-6.27%	-12.63%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.25%	-0.22%	-2.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.32%	-1.04%	-1.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.00%	0.18%	+0.82%

Volatility

VBTIX vs. VTIP - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBTIX) has a higher volatility of 1.33% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF (VTIP) at 0.40%. This indicates that VBTIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTIP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VBTIX	VTIP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.33%	0.40%	+0.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.85%	1.04%	+1.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.93%	1.50%	+2.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.02%	2.77%	+3.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.99%	2.74%	+2.25%

VBTIX vs. VTIP - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBTIX has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is higher than VTIP's 0.03% 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

VBTIX vs. VTIP - Dividend Comparison

VBTIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.99%, more than VTIP's 3.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VBTIX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Shares	3.99%	3.88%	3.69%	3.12%	2.61%	1.81%	2.41%	2.75%	2.58%	2.56%	2.54%	2.84%
VTIP Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF	3.59%	3.81%	2.70%	2.86%	6.84%	4.68%	1.20%	1.95%	2.45%	1.52%	0.76%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VBTIX and VTIP in my portfolio?

VBTIX and VTIP have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VBTIX or VTIP?

VBTIX has higher volatility (1.33%) compared to VTIP (0.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBTIX dropped -18.90% vs VTIP's -6.27%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTIP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.07 vs 1.26), 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.