VTIP vs. BABO

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VTIP (Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF) and BABO (YieldMax BABA Option Income Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VTIP is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) 0-5 Year Index, while BABO is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by YieldMax. VTIP is passively managed, while BABO is actively managed. Over the past year, VTIP returned 4.51% vs -1.50% for BABO. At a correlation of -0.05, they often move in opposite directions. VTIP charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for BABO.

Performance

VTIP vs. BABO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF (VTIP) and YieldMax BABA Option Income Strategy ETF (BABO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTIP achieves a 1.85% return, which is significantly higher than BABO's -20.64% return.

VTIP

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: -0.12%
• YTD: 1.85%
• 6M: 1.95%
• 1Y: 4.51%
• 3Y*: 5.25%
• 5Y*: 3.37%
• 10Y*: 3.09%

BABO

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: -16.79%
• YTD: -20.64%
• 6M: -24.20%
• 1Y: -1.50%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VTIP vs. BABO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
VTIP Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF	1.85%	6.07%	1.42%
BABO YieldMax BABA Option Income Strategy ETF	-20.64%	46.84%	0.65%

Correlation

The correlation between VTIP and BABO is -0.10, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 8, 2024	-0.05

Return for Risk

VTIP vs. BABO — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTIP

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

BABO

BABO Risk / Return Rank: 8
BABO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
BABO Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
BABO Omega Ratio Rank: 9
BABO Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
BABO Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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.

VTIP vs. BABO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF (VTIP) and YieldMax BABA Option Income Strategy ETF (BABO). 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.

	VTIP	BABO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.07	-0.12	+3.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.24	0.08	+5.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.65	1.01	+0.64
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.57	-0.13	+6.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	25.36	-0.28	+25.65

VTIP vs. BABO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTIP Sharpe Ratio is 3.07, which is higher than the BABO Sharpe Ratio of -0.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTIP and BABO, 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

VTIP vs. BABO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTIP drawdown since its inception was -6.27%, smaller than the maximum BABO drawdown of -33.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTIP and BABO.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTIP	BABO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.27%	-33.33%	+27.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.70%	-33.33%	+32.63%
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 Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.22%	-33.33%	+33.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.04%	-13.90%	+12.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.18%	15.34%	-15.16%

Volatility

VTIP vs. BABO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF (VTIP) is 0.40%, while YieldMax BABA Option Income Strategy ETF (BABO) has a volatility of 8.72%. This indicates that VTIP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BABO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTIP	BABO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.40%	8.72%	-8.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.04%	24.44%	-23.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.50%	35.33%	-33.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.77%	36.67%	-33.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.74%	36.67%	-33.93%

VTIP vs. BABO - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTIP has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than BABO's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

VTIP vs. BABO - Dividend Comparison

VTIP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.59%, less than BABO's 98.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
BABO YieldMax BABA Option Income Strategy ETF	98.48%	85.50%	20.65%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VTIP Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF	3.59%	3.81%	2.70%	2.86%	6.84%	4.68%	1.20%	1.95%	2.45%	1.52%	0.76%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTIP and BABO in my portfolio?

VTIP and BABO have a correlation of -0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTIP or BABO?

BABO has higher volatility (8.72%) compared to VTIP (0.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTIP dropped -6.27% vs BABO's -33.33%.

Which ETF is better, VTIP or BABO?

On 1-year performance, VTIP leads with 4.51% vs -1.50% for BABO. On fees, VTIP is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTIP has been the lower-risk option at 0.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VTIP or BABO?

Over the 1-year period, VTIP has performed better with a 4.51% return vs -1.50%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VTIP or BABO?

VTIP is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for BABO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VTIP or BABO?

BABO has the higher dividend yield at 98.48%, compared with 3.59% for VTIP.

What is the main difference between VTIP and BABO?

VTIP is categorized as Inflation-Protected Bonds, while BABO is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and YieldMax. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VTIP and 0.99% for BABO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTIP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.07 vs -0.12), 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.