VCSH vs. VTIP

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VCSH (Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF) and VTIP (Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VCSH is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Barclays Capital U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Index, while VTIP is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) 0-5 Year Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VCSH returned 2.71%/yr vs 3.13%/yr for VTIP. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VCSH charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTIP.

Performance

VCSH vs. VTIP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) 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, VCSH achieves a 0.71% return, which is significantly lower than VTIP's 1.97% return. Over the past 10 years, VCSH has underperformed VTIP with an annualized return of 2.71%, while VTIP has yielded a comparatively higher 3.13% annualized return.

VCSH

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.22%
• YTD: 0.71%
• 6M: 1.10%
• 1Y: 4.42%
• 3Y*: 5.56%
• 5Y*: 2.33%
• 10Y*: 2.71%

VTIP

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 0.10%
• YTD: 1.97%
• 6M: 1.99%
• 1Y: 4.51%
• 3Y*: 5.18%
• 5Y*: 3.35%
• 10Y*: 3.13%

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

VCSH vs. VTIP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VCSH Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF	0.71%	6.77%	4.91%	6.20%	-5.62%	-0.63%	5.13%	7.02%	0.92%	2.17%
VTIP Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF	1.97%	6.07%	4.74%	4.62%	-2.94%	5.36%	4.95%	4.86%	0.56%	0.82%

Correlation

The correlation between VCSH and VTIP 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	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 17, 2012	0.57

The correlation between VCSH and VTIP shifts across timeframes, from 0.56 (1 year) to 0.74 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VCSH vs. VTIP — Risk / Return Rank

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

VCSH

VCSH Risk / Return Rank: 74
VCSH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
VCSH Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
VCSH Omega Ratio Rank: 78
VCSH Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
VCSH Martin Ratio Rank: 71

VTIP

VTIP Risk / Return Rank: 93
VTIP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
VTIP Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
VTIP Omega Ratio Rank: 93
VTIP Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
VTIP Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

VCSH vs. VTIP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) 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.

	VCSH	VTIP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	3.02	-0.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.71	5.13	-1.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.63	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.17	6.48	-3.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.10	25.53	-12.44
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VCSH vs. VTIP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VCSH Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is comparable to the VTIP Sharpe Ratio of 3.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCSH 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VCSH	VTIP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.37	3.02	-0.65
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81	1.21	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81	1.15	-0.33
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.02	0.89	+0.13

Drawdowns

VCSH vs. VTIP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCSH drawdown since its inception was -12.86%, which is greater than VTIP's maximum drawdown of -6.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCSH and VTIP.

Drawdown Indicators

	VCSH	VTIP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.86%	-6.27%	-6.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.40%	-0.70%	-0.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.40%	-0.98%	-0.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.48%	-5.50%	-3.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-12.86%	-6.27%	-6.59%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.25%	-0.10%	-0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.97%	-1.04%	+0.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.34%	0.18%	+0.16%

Volatility

VCSH vs. VTIP - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) has a higher volatility of 0.57% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF (VTIP) at 0.42%. This indicates that VCSH'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

	VCSH	VTIP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.57%	0.42%	+0.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.38%	1.03%	+0.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.88%	1.50%	+0.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.88%	2.77%	+0.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.35%	2.74%	+0.61%

VCSH vs. VTIP - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCSH 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

VCSH vs. VTIP - Dividend Comparison

VCSH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.45%, more than VTIP's 3.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VCSH Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF	4.45%	4.35%	3.96%	3.09%	2.01%	1.81%	2.27%	2.87%	2.65%	2.26%	2.10%	2.08%
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 VCSH and VTIP in my portfolio?

VCSH and VTIP 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, VCSH or VTIP?

VCSH has higher volatility (0.57%) compared to VTIP (0.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCSH dropped -12.86% vs VTIP's -6.27%.

Which ETF is better, VCSH or VTIP?

On 10-year performance, VTIP leads with 3.13% vs 2.71% for VCSH. On fees, VTIP is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTIP has been the lower-risk option at 0.42%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VCSH or VTIP?

Over the 10-year period, VTIP has performed better with a 3.13% return vs 2.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VCSH or VTIP?

VTIP is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.04% for VCSH.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VCSH or VTIP?

VCSH has the higher dividend yield at 4.45%, compared with 3.59% for VTIP.

What is the main difference between VCSH and VTIP?

VCSH is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while VTIP is Inflation-Protected Bonds. VCSH tracks Barclays Capital U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Index, while VTIP tracks Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) 0-5 Year Index. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for VCSH and 0.03% for VTIP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTIP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.02 vs 2.37), 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.