VOX vs. TIP
VOX (Vanguard Communication Services ETF) and TIP (iShares TIPS Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VOX is a Communications Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Communication Services 25/50 Index, while TIP is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund tracking the ICE U.S. Treasury Inflation Linked Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VOX returned 8.94%/yr vs 2.53%/yr for TIP. At a correlation of -0.06, they often move in opposite directions. VOX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for TIP.
Performance
VOX vs. TIP - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VOX achieves a -3.01% return, which is significantly lower than TIP's 1.40% return. Over the past 10 years, VOX has outperformed TIP with an annualized return of 8.94%, while TIP has yielded a comparatively lower 2.53% annualized return.
VOX
- 1D
- 0.03%
- 1M
- -5.00%
- YTD
- -3.01%
- 6M
- -1.76%
- 1Y
- 15.39%
- 3Y*
- 22.49%
- 5Y*
- 6.96%
- 10Y*
- 8.94%
TIP
- 1D
- 0.01%
- 1M
- -0.21%
- YTD
- 1.40%
- 6M
- 1.42%
- 1Y
- 4.61%
- 3Y*
- 4.00%
- 5Y*
- 0.91%
- 10Y*
- 2.53%
VOX vs. TIP - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VOX Vanguard Communication Services ETF | -3.01% | 26.27% | 33.12% | 44.81% | -38.85% | 13.83% | 29.12% | 28.03% | -16.75% | -5.50% |
TIP iShares TIPS Bond ETF | 1.40% | 6.77% | 1.65% | 3.80% | -12.26% | 5.68% | 10.84% | 8.35% | -1.42% | 2.92% |
Correlation
The correlation between VOX and TIP is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.21 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.19 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.09 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2004 | -0.06 |
The correlation between VOX and TIP shifts across timeframes, from -0.06 (all time) to 0.21 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VOX vs. TIP — Risk / Return Rank
VOX
TIP
VOX vs. TIP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX) and iShares TIPS Bond ETF (TIP). 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.
| VOX | TIP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.37 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.58 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.18 | 1.24 | -0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.14 | 2.34 | -1.20 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.20 | 7.00 | -2.80 |
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Drawdowns
VOX vs. TIP - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VOX drawdown since its inception was -57.18%, which is greater than TIP's maximum drawdown of -14.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOX and TIP.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VOX | TIP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -57.18% | -14.57% | -42.61% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.56% | -1.98% | -11.58% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -21.15% | -4.54% | -16.61% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -46.76% | -14.51% | -32.25% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -46.76% | -14.51% | -32.25% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.27% | -0.46% | -5.81% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.90% | -3.43% | -8.47% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.67% | 0.66% | +3.01% |
Volatility
VOX vs. TIP - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX) has a higher volatility of 4.01% compared to iShares TIPS Bond ETF (TIP) at 1.03%. This indicates that VOX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TIP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VOX | TIP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.01% | 1.03% | +2.98% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.29% | 2.32% | +8.97% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.48% | 3.39% | +12.09% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.17% | 6.21% | +14.96% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.90% | 5.74% | +15.16% |
VOX vs. TIP - Expense Ratio Comparison
VOX has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than TIP's 0.18% 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
VOX vs. TIP - Dividend Comparison
VOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%, less than TIP's 3.76% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TIP iShares TIPS Bond ETF | 3.76% | 3.46% | 2.52% | 2.73% | 6.96% | 4.28% | 1.17% | 1.75% | 2.71% | 2.07% | 1.48% | 0.34% |
VOX Vanguard Communication Services ETF | 1.01% | 0.95% | 1.05% | 1.03% | 0.88% | 0.93% | 0.73% | 0.90% | 2.77% | 3.83% | 2.67% | 3.55% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VOX and TIP have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VOX has higher volatility (4.01%) compared to TIP (1.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOX dropped -57.18% vs TIP's -14.57%.
On 10-year performance, VOX leads with 8.94% vs 2.53% for TIP. On fees, VOX is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, TIP has been the lower-risk option at 1.03%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VOX has performed better with a 8.94% return vs 2.53%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VOX is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for TIP.
TIP has the higher dividend yield at 3.76%, compared with 1.01% for VOX.
VOX is categorized as Communications Equities, while TIP is Inflation-Protected Bonds. VOX tracks MSCI US Investable Market Communication Services 25/50 Index, while TIP tracks ICE U.S. Treasury Inflation Linked Bond Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VOX and 0.18% for TIP.
TIP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.37 vs 1.00), 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.
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