VIPSX vs. SEIAX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VIPSX (Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund Investor Shares) and SEIAX (SEI Multi-Asset Real Return Fund Class A) are both Inflation-Protected Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, VIPSX returned 2.52%/yr vs 4.28%/yr for SEIAX. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VIPSX charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.21%/yr for SEIAX.

Performance

VIPSX vs. SEIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund Investor Shares (VIPSX) and SEI Multi-Asset Real Return Fund Class A (SEIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VIPSX achieves a 1.42% return, which is significantly lower than SEIAX's 8.37% return. Over the past 10 years, VIPSX has underperformed SEIAX with an annualized return of 2.52%, while SEIAX has yielded a comparatively higher 4.28% annualized return.

VIPSX

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: -0.00%
• YTD: 1.42%
• 6M: 1.12%
• 1Y: 4.57%
• 3Y*: 3.87%
• 5Y*: 0.95%
• 10Y*: 2.52%

SEIAX

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: -0.99%
• YTD: 8.37%
• 6M: 8.05%
• 1Y: 13.23%
• 3Y*: 8.16%
• 5Y*: 6.45%
• 10Y*: 4.28%

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

VIPSX vs. SEIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VIPSX Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund Investor Shares	1.42%	6.77%	1.74%	3.73%	-12.04%	5.57%	10.90%	8.06%	-1.48%	2.81%
SEIAX SEI Multi-Asset Real Return Fund Class A	8.37%	8.50%	4.74%	-1.01%	9.20%	11.41%	-0.51%	6.33%	-2.93%	-1.12%

Correlation

The correlation between VIPSX and SEIAX 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	0.29
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.26
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2012	0.22

The correlation between VIPSX and SEIAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.13 (1 year) to 0.33 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VIPSX vs. SEIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VIPSX

VIPSX Risk / Return Rank: 31
VIPSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
VIPSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
VIPSX Omega Ratio Rank: 25
VIPSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
VIPSX Martin Ratio Rank: 34

SEIAX

SEIAX Risk / Return Rank: 82
SEIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
SEIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SEIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 73
SEIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
SEIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

VIPSX vs. SEIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund Investor Shares (VIPSX) and SEI Multi-Asset Real Return Fund Class A (SEIAX). 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.

	VIPSX	SEIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.49	2.48	-0.99
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.23	3.59	-1.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.48	-0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.50	5.64	-3.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.64	18.69	-11.05
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VIPSX vs. SEIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VIPSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.49, which is lower than the SEIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VIPSX and SEIAX, 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

	VIPSX	SEIAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.49	2.48	-0.99
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16	1.15	-0.99
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.82	-0.35
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.76	0.45	+0.30

Drawdowns

VIPSX vs. SEIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VIPSX drawdown since its inception was -15.13%, smaller than the maximum SEIAX drawdown of -20.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIPSX and SEIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VIPSX	SEIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.13%	-20.97%	+5.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.02%	-2.33%	+0.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.57%	-3.31%	-1.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.55%	-7.67%	-6.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-14.55%	-13.20%	-1.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.28%	-1.59%	+1.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.24%	-7.09%	+3.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.66%	0.70%	-0.04%

Volatility

VIPSX vs. SEIAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund Investor Shares (VIPSX) is 1.02%, while SEI Multi-Asset Real Return Fund Class A (SEIAX) has a volatility of 2.04%. This indicates that VIPSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SEIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VIPSX	SEIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.02%	2.04%	-1.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.33%	4.67%	-2.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.40%	5.31%	-1.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.99%	5.62%	+0.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.33%	5.23%	+0.10%

VIPSX vs. SEIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VIPSX has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than SEIAX's 0.21% 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

VIPSX vs. SEIAX - Dividend Comparison

VIPSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.39%, more than SEIAX's 2.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SEIAX SEI Multi-Asset Real Return Fund Class A	2.71%	2.94%	5.16%	3.77%	13.78%	10.42%	2.34%	2.13%	3.63%	1.57%	1.73%	1.01%
VIPSX Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund Investor Shares	4.39%	4.64%	4.07%	4.20%	8.34%	5.03%	1.28%	2.22%	3.03%	2.32%	3.38%	0.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VIPSX and SEIAX in my portfolio?

VIPSX and SEIAX 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.

Which is riskier, VIPSX or SEIAX?

SEIAX has higher volatility (2.04%) compared to VIPSX (1.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIPSX dropped -15.13% vs SEIAX's -20.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SEIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.48 vs 1.49), 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.