VTAPX vs. VGSH

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

VTAPX (Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VGSH (Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF) are both funds - VTAPX is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) 0-5 Year Index, while VGSH is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VTAPX returned 3.08%/yr vs 1.73%/yr for VGSH. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VTAPX charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VGSH.

Performance

VTAPX vs. VGSH - 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 Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTAPX achieves a 1.89% return, which is significantly higher than VGSH's 0.57% return. Over the past 10 years, VTAPX has outperformed VGSH with an annualized return of 3.08%, while VGSH has yielded a comparatively lower 1.73% annualized return.

VTAPX

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: -0.08%
• YTD: 1.89%
• 6M: 2.00%
• 1Y: 4.60%
• 3Y*: 5.18%
• 5Y*: 3.37%
• 10Y*: 3.08%

VGSH

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 0.16%
• YTD: 0.57%
• 6M: 0.83%
• 1Y: 3.36%
• 3Y*: 4.25%
• 5Y*: 1.83%
• 10Y*: 1.73%

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

VTAPX vs. VGSH - 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	1.89%	6.03%	4.73%	4.59%	-2.84%	5.26%	4.97%	4.85%	0.53%	0.82%
VGSH Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF	0.57%	5.07%	4.00%	4.31%	-3.86%	-0.60%	3.04%	3.52%	1.55%	0.04%

Correlation

The correlation between VTAPX and VGSH is 0.59, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.59
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2013	0.57

The correlation between VTAPX and VGSH shifts across timeframes, from 0.57 (all time) to 0.73 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VTAPX vs. VGSH — 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: 96
VTAPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
VTAPX Omega Ratio Rank: 93
VTAPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
VTAPX Martin Ratio Rank: 98

VGSH

VGSH Risk / Return Rank: 88
VGSH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
VGSH Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
VGSH Omega Ratio Rank: 92
VGSH Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
VGSH Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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. VGSH - 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 Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH). 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.

	VTAPX	VGSH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.05	2.61	+0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.00	4.30	+0.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.66	1.55	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.51	3.76	+2.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	25.61	14.67	+10.94

VTAPX vs. VGSH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTAPX Sharpe Ratio is 3.05, which is comparable to the VGSH Sharpe Ratio of 2.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTAPX and VGSH, 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

VTAPX vs. VGSH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTAPX drawdown since its inception was -5.33%, smaller than the maximum VGSH drawdown of -5.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTAPX and VGSH.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTAPX	VGSH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.33%	-5.70%	+0.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.72%	-0.88%	+0.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.92%	-0.97%	+0.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-5.33%	-5.66%	+0.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-5.33%	-5.70%	+0.37%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.20%	-0.21%	+0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.03%	-0.60%	-0.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.18%	0.23%	-0.05%

Volatility

VTAPX vs. VGSH - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTAPX) has a higher volatility of 0.59% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH) at 0.37%. This indicates that VTAPX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGSH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTAPX	VGSH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.59%	0.37%	+0.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.14%	0.90%	+0.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.53%	1.28%	+0.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.67%	1.97%	+0.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.23%	1.58%	+0.65%

VTAPX vs. VGSH - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTAPX has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is higher than VGSH'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

VTAPX vs. VGSH - Dividend Comparison

VTAPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.56%, less than VGSH's 3.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VGSH Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF	3.87%	4.00%	4.18%	3.31%	1.15%	0.66%	1.74%	2.28%	1.79%	1.10%	0.84%	0.69%
VTAPX Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.56%	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 VTAPX and VGSH in my portfolio?

VTAPX and VGSH have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTAPX or VGSH?

VTAPX has higher volatility (0.59%) compared to VGSH (0.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTAPX dropped -5.33% vs VGSH's -5.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTAPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.05 vs 2.61), 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.