VTAPX vs. VBTLX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTAPX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX).

VTAPX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Oct 16, 2012. VBTLX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Nov 12, 2001.

Performance

VTAPX vs. VBTLX - Performance Comparison

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

VTAPX vs. VBTLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTAPX Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.97%	6.03%	4.73%	4.59%	-2.84%	5.26%	4.97%	4.85%	0.53%	0.82%
VBTLX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	-0.49%	7.17%	1.26%	5.74%	-13.16%	-1.81%	7.72%	8.73%	-0.25%	3.56%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTAPX achieves a 0.97% return, which is significantly higher than VBTLX's -0.49% return. Over the past 10 years, VTAPX has outperformed VBTLX with an annualized return of 3.05%, while VBTLX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.60% annualized return.

VTAPX

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: 0.04%
• YTD: 0.97%
• 6M: 1.31%
• 1Y: 3.86%
• 3Y*: 4.67%
• 5Y*: 3.48%
• 10Y*: 3.05%

VBTLX

• 1D: 0.52%
• 1M: -2.23%
• YTD: -0.49%
• 6M: 0.50%
• 1Y: 3.77%
• 3Y*: 3.44%
• 5Y*: 0.23%
• 10Y*: 1.60%

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

VTAPX vs. VBTLX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTAPX has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is higher than VBTLX's 0.05% 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%.

VTAPX

Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares

VBTLX

Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares

Return for Risk

VTAPX vs. VBTLX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTAPX

VTAPX Risk / Return Rank: 96
VTAPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
VTAPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
VTAPX Omega Ratio Rank: 94
VTAPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
VTAPX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

VBTLX

VBTLX Risk / Return Rank: 56
VBTLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
VBTLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
VBTLX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
VBTLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
VBTLX Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

VTAPX vs. VBTLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	VTAPX	VBTLX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	1.00	+1.28
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.41	1.44	+1.97
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.18	+0.32
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.65	1.78	+2.87
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.74	5.08	+9.66
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTAPX vs. VBTLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTAPX Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is higher than the VBTLX Sharpe Ratio of 1.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTAPX and VBTLX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VTAPX	VBTLX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.28	1.00	+1.28
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.31	0.04	+1.27
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.37	0.32	+1.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.04	0.76	+0.29

Correlation

The correlation between VTAPX and VBTLX is 0.56, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

VTAPX vs. VBTLX - Dividend Comparison

VTAPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.55%, less than VBTLX's 3.61% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VTAPX Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.55%	3.78%	2.68%	2.84%	6.82%	4.67%	1.19%	1.94%	2.45%	1.52%	0.76%	0.00%
VBTLX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.61%	3.87%	3.69%	3.10%	2.59%	1.96%	2.39%	2.74%	2.57%	2.56%	2.53%	2.82%

Drawdowns

VTAPX vs. VBTLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTAPX drawdown since its inception was -5.33%, smaller than the maximum VBTLX drawdown of -18.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTAPX and VBTLX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTAPX	VBTLX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.33%	-18.81%	+13.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.92%	-2.73%	+1.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-5.33%	-18.14%	+12.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-5.33%	-18.81%	+13.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.28%	-3.06%	+2.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.04%	-2.67%	+1.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.29%	0.96%	-0.67%

Volatility

VTAPX vs. VBTLX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTAPX) is 0.59%, while Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX) has a volatility of 1.55%. This indicates that VTAPX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBTLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTAPX	VBTLX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.59%	1.55%	-0.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.96%	2.59%	-1.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.79%	4.37%	-2.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.67%	5.98%	-3.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.23%	4.97%	-2.74%