VTAPX vs. VTSPX
VTAPX (Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VTSPX (Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Inflation-Protected Bonds funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VTAPX returned 3.05%/yr vs 3.07%/yr for VTSPX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VTAPX charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VTSPX.
Performance
VTAPX vs. VTSPX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VTAPX having a 1.45% return and VTSPX slightly higher at 1.46%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VTAPX having a 3.05% annualized return and VTSPX not far ahead at 3.07%.
VTAPX
- 1D
- 0.04%
- 1M
- -0.04%
- YTD
- 1.45%
- 6M
- 1.53%
- 1Y
- 3.73%
- 3Y*
- 5.04%
- 5Y*
- 3.35%
- 10Y*
- 3.05%
VTSPX
- 1D
- 0.04%
- 1M
- -0.04%
- YTD
- 1.46%
- 6M
- 1.58%
- 1Y
- 3.77%
- 3Y*
- 5.06%
- 5Y*
- 3.37%
- 10Y*
- 3.07%
VTAPX vs. VTSPX - 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 | 1.45% | 6.03% | 4.73% | 4.59% | -2.84% | 5.26% | 4.97% | 4.85% | 0.53% | 0.82% |
VTSPX Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares | 1.46% | 6.06% | 4.75% | 4.61% | -2.82% | 5.32% | 4.99% | 4.82% | 0.59% | 0.83% |
Correlation
The correlation between VTAPX and VTSPX is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2013 | 0.97 |
The correlation between VTAPX and VTSPX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VTAPX vs. VTSPX — Risk / Return Rank
VTAPX
VTSPX
VTAPX vs. VTSPX - 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 Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares (VTSPX). 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 | VTSPX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.02 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.12 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.51 | 1.53 | -0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 5.46 | 5.51 | -0.05 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 20.22 | 20.25 | -0.04 |
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Drawdowns
VTAPX vs. VTSPX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VTAPX drawdown since its inception was -5.33%, roughly equal to the maximum VTSPX drawdown of -5.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTAPX and VTSPX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VTAPX | VTSPX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -5.33% | -5.35% | +0.02% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -0.72% | -0.72% | 0.00% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -0.92% | -0.92% | 0.00% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -5.33% | -5.35% | +0.02% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -5.33% | -5.35% | +0.02% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.63% | -0.63% | 0.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.03% | -1.01% | -0.02% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.19% | 0.19% | 0.00% |
Volatility
VTAPX vs. VTSPX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTAPX) and Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares (VTSPX) have volatilities of 0.67% and 0.67%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VTAPX | VTSPX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.67% | 0.67% | 0.00% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.21% | 1.22% | -0.01% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.58% | 1.58% | 0.00% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.66% | 2.66% | 0.00% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 2.24% | 2.24% | 0.00% |
VTAPX vs. VTSPX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VTAPX has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is higher than VTSPX's 0.04% 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. VTSPX - Dividend Comparison
VTAPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.58%, which matches VTSPX's 3.61% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
VTSPX Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares | 3.61% | 3.81% | 2.70% | 2.86% | 6.84% | 4.69% | 1.21% | 1.96% | 2.47% | 1.52% | 0.80% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.97, VTAPX and VTSPX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
VTSPX has higher volatility (0.67%) compared to VTAPX (0.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTAPX dropped -5.33% vs VTSPX's -5.35%.
VTSPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.50 vs 2.48), 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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