VDC vs. VTIP
VDC (Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF) and VTIP (Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VDC is a Consumer Staples Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Staples 25/50 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, VDC returned 8.03%/yr vs 3.09%/yr for VTIP. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VDC charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTIP.
Performance
VDC vs. VTIP - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VDC achieves a 10.55% return, which is significantly higher than VTIP's 1.85% return. Over the past 10 years, VDC has outperformed VTIP with an annualized return of 8.03%, while VTIP has yielded a comparatively lower 3.09% annualized return.
VDC
- 1D
- 0.65%
- 1M
- 0.13%
- YTD
- 10.55%
- 6M
- 8.59%
- 1Y
- 8.56%
- 3Y*
- 9.05%
- 5Y*
- 7.16%
- 10Y*
- 8.03%
VTIP
- 1D
- -0.04%
- 1M
- -0.12%
- YTD
- 1.85%
- 6M
- 1.95%
- 1Y
- 4.51%
- 3Y*
- 5.25%
- 5Y*
- 3.37%
- 10Y*
- 3.09%
VDC vs. VTIP - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VDC Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF | 10.55% | 2.17% | 13.30% | 2.38% | -1.79% | 17.64% | 10.86% | 26.11% | -7.79% | 11.85% |
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 VDC and VTIP is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.13 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.13 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.12 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 16, 2012 | 0.09 |
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
VDC vs. VTIP — Risk / Return Rank
VDC
VTIP
VDC vs. VTIP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) 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.
| VDC | VTIP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.48 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -4.31 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.11 | 1.65 | -0.54 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.79 | 6.57 | -5.78 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.60 | 25.36 | -23.76 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
VDC vs. VTIP - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VDC drawdown since its inception was -34.24%, which is greater than VTIP's maximum drawdown of -6.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VDC and VTIP.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| VDC | VTIP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -34.24% | -6.27% | -27.97% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.28% | -0.70% | -8.58% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -11.78% | -0.98% | -10.80% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -16.55% | -5.50% | -11.05% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -25.31% | -6.27% | -19.04% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.37% | -0.22% | -4.15% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.73% | -1.04% | -2.69% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.57% | 0.18% | +4.39% |
Volatility
VDC vs. VTIP - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) has a higher volatility of 4.62% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF (VTIP) at 0.40%. This indicates that VDC'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.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| VDC | VTIP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.62% | 0.40% | +4.22% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.02% | 1.04% | +8.98% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.57% | 1.50% | +11.07% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.17% | 2.77% | +10.40% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 14.66% | 2.74% | +11.92% |
VDC vs. VTIP - Expense Ratio Comparison
VDC has a 0.09% 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
VDC vs. VTIP - Dividend Comparison
VDC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.08%, less than VTIP's 3.59% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VDC Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF | 2.08% | 2.26% | 2.33% | 2.65% | 2.37% | 2.14% | 2.50% | 2.44% | 2.78% | 2.52% | 2.39% | 2.55% |
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
VDC and VTIP have a correlation of 0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VDC has higher volatility (4.62%) compared to VTIP (0.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VDC dropped -34.24% vs VTIP's -6.27%.
On 10-year performance, VDC leads with 8.03% vs 3.09% for VTIP. On fees, VTIP is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTIP has been the lower-risk option at 0.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VDC has performed better with a 8.03% return vs 3.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VTIP is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.09% for VDC.
VTIP has the higher dividend yield at 3.59%, compared with 2.08% for VDC.
VDC is categorized as Consumer Staples Equities, while VTIP is Inflation-Protected Bonds. VDC tracks MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Staples 25/50 Index, while VTIP tracks Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) 0-5 Year Index. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VDC and 0.03% for VTIP.
VTIP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.07 vs 0.58), 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.
Find the right allocation for VDC and VTIP
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer