VMIAX vs. VTAPX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VMIAX (Vanguard Materials Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VTAPX (Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VMIAX is a Materials fund managed by Vanguard, while VTAPX 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, VMIAX returned 10.65%/yr vs 3.02%/yr for VTAPX. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VMIAX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VTAPX.

Performance

VMIAX vs. VTAPX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Materials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VMIAX) and Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTAPX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VMIAX achieves a 13.21% return, which is significantly higher than VTAPX's 1.33% return. Over the past 10 years, VMIAX has outperformed VTAPX with an annualized return of 10.65%, while VTAPX has yielded a comparatively lower 3.02% annualized return.

VMIAX

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 2.70%
• YTD: 13.21%
• 6M: 11.71%
• 1Y: 22.94%
• 3Y*: 11.94%
• 5Y*: 7.17%
• 10Y*: 10.65%

VTAPX

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: -0.16%
• YTD: 1.33%
• 6M: 1.45%
• 1Y: 3.53%
• 3Y*: 4.98%
• 5Y*: 3.25%
• 10Y*: 3.02%

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

VMIAX vs. VTAPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VMIAX Vanguard Materials Index Fund Admiral Shares	13.21%	12.26%	0.45%	13.69%	-11.77%	27.15%	19.37%	23.59%	-17.38%	23.68%
VTAPX Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.33%	6.03%	4.73%	4.59%	-2.84%	5.26%	4.97%	4.85%	0.53%	0.82%

Correlation

The correlation between VMIAX and VTAPX is 0.12, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.12
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.15
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.11
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2013	0.09

Return for Risk

VMIAX vs. VTAPX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VMIAX

VMIAX Risk / Return Rank: 26
VMIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
VMIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
VMIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 23
VMIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
VMIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 27

VTAPX

VTAPX Risk / Return Rank: 84
VTAPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
VTAPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
VTAPX Omega Ratio Rank: 79
VTAPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
VTAPX 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.

VMIAX vs. VTAPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Materials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VMIAX) and Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTAPX). 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.

	VMIAX	VTAPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.34	2.29	-0.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.94	3.53	-1.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.47	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.84	4.83	-2.98
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.85	18.18	-12.33

VMIAX vs. VTAPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VMIAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.34, which is lower than the VTAPX Sharpe Ratio of 2.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VMIAX and VTAPX, 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

VMIAX vs. VTAPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VMIAX drawdown since its inception was -62.17%, which is greater than VTAPX's maximum drawdown of -5.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VMIAX and VTAPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VMIAX	VTAPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.17%	-5.33%	-56.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.41%	-0.75%	-12.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.21%	-0.92%	-22.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.45%	-5.33%	-20.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.02%	-5.33%	-35.69%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.76%	-0.75%	-3.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.62%	-1.03%	-8.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.22%	0.20%	+4.02%

Volatility

VMIAX vs. VTAPX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Materials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VMIAX) has a higher volatility of 6.41% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTAPX) at 0.68%. This indicates that VMIAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTAPX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VMIAX	VTAPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.41%	0.68%	+5.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.67%	1.22%	+13.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.43%	1.58%	+16.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.75%	2.66%	+17.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.29%	2.24%	+19.05%

VMIAX vs. VTAPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VMIAX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than VTAPX's 0.06% 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

VMIAX vs. VTAPX - Dividend Comparison

VMIAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.36%, less than VTAPX's 3.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VMIAX Vanguard Materials Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.36%	1.55%	1.70%	1.72%	1.98%	1.33%	1.67%	1.94%	2.02%	1.63%	1.73%	2.31%
VTAPX Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.58%	3.78%	2.68%	2.84%	6.82%	4.67%	1.19%	1.94%	2.45%	1.52%	0.76%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VMIAX and VTAPX in my portfolio?

VMIAX and VTAPX have a correlation of 0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VMIAX or VTAPX?

VMIAX has higher volatility (6.41%) compared to VTAPX (0.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VMIAX dropped -62.17% vs VTAPX's -5.33%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTAPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 1.34), 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.