VTG vs. VTIP
VTG (Vanguard Total Treasury ETF) and VTIP (Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VTG is a Intermediate Core Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Total Return Unhedged USD Index, while VTIP is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) 0-5 Year Index. Both are passively managed. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.
Performance
VTG vs. VTIP - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VTG achieves a 0.59% return, which is significantly lower than VTIP's 1.38% return.
VTG
- 1D
- 0.48%
- 1M
- 1.13%
- YTD
- 0.59%
- 6M
- 0.52%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
VTIP
- 1D
- 0.02%
- 1M
- -0.20%
- YTD
- 1.38%
- 6M
- 1.47%
- 1Y
- 3.60%
- 3Y*
- 5.01%
- 5Y*
- 3.27%
- 10Y*
- 3.03%
VTG vs. VTIP - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
VTG Vanguard Total Treasury ETF | 0.59% | 3.07% |
VTIP Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF | 1.38% | 1.97% |
Correlation
The correlation between VTG and VTIP is 0.54, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 9, 2025 | 0.54 |
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
VTG vs. VTIP — Risk / Return Rank
VTG
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
VTIP
VTG vs. VTIP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Treasury ETF (VTG) and Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF (VTIP). 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.
| VTG | VTIP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | — | 1.47 | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | — | 5.06 | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | — | 17.61 | — |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
VTG vs. VTIP - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VTG drawdown since its inception was -2.89%, smaller than the maximum VTIP drawdown of -6.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTG and VTIP.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| VTG | VTIP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -2.89% | -6.27% | +3.38% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | — | -0.71% | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -0.98% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -5.50% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -6.27% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.21% | -0.67% | -0.54% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.79% | -1.04% | +0.25% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 0.20% | — |
Volatility
VTG vs. VTIP - Volatility Comparison
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| VTG | VTIP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 0.64% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 1.17% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.54% | 1.57% | +1.97% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 3.54% | 2.77% | +0.77% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 3.54% | 2.74% | +0.80% |
VTG vs. VTIP - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both VTG and VTIP have an expense ratio of 0.03%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VTG vs. VTIP - Dividend Comparison
VTG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.18%, less than VTIP's 3.61% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VTG Vanguard Total Treasury ETF | 3.18% | 1.65% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VTIP Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF | 3.61% | 3.81% | 2.70% | 2.86% | 6.84% | 4.68% | 1.20% | 1.95% | 2.45% | 1.52% | 0.76% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VTG and VTIP have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
Both ETFs have the same 0.03% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
VTG and VTIP have the same expense ratio: 0.03% per year.
VTIP has the higher dividend yield at 3.61%, compared with 3.18% for VTG.
VTG is categorized as Intermediate Core Bond, while VTIP is Inflation-Protected Bonds. VTG tracks Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Total Return Unhedged USD Index, while VTIP tracks Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) 0-5 Year Index.
Find the right allocation for VTG and VTIP
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer