VTIPX vs. BRK-B

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VTIPX (Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Investor Shares) is Inflation-Protected Bonds fund managed by Vanguard, while BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, VTIPX returned 3.05%/yr vs 12.91%/yr for BRK-B. At a correlation of -0.02, they often move in opposite directions.

Performance

VTIPX vs. BRK-B - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Investor Shares (VTIPX) and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTIPX achieves a 1.99% return, which is significantly higher than BRK-B's -5.43% return. Over the past 10 years, VTIPX has underperformed BRK-B with an annualized return of 3.05%, while BRK-B has yielded a comparatively higher 12.91% annualized return.

VTIPX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.00%
• YTD: 1.99%
• 6M: 1.96%
• 1Y: 4.60%
• 3Y*: 5.15%
• 5Y*: 3.29%
• 10Y*: 3.05%

BRK-B

• 1D: 0.82%
• 1M: 1.46%
• YTD: -5.43%
• 6M: -5.61%
• 1Y: -4.51%
• 3Y*: 13.00%
• 5Y*: 10.20%
• 10Y*: 12.91%

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

VTIPX vs. BRK-B - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTIPX Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Investor Shares	1.99%	5.96%	4.65%	4.51%	-2.93%	5.21%	4.85%	4.74%	0.49%	0.72%
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	-5.43%	10.89%	27.09%	15.46%	3.31%	28.95%	2.37%	10.93%	3.01%	21.62%

Correlation

The correlation between VTIPX and BRK-B is 0.02, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.02
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.02
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.08
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.01
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2013	-0.02

Return for Risk

VTIPX vs. BRK-B — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTIPX

VTIPX Risk / Return Rank: 93
VTIPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
VTIPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
VTIPX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
VTIPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
VTIPX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

BRK-B

BRK-B Risk / Return Rank: 23
BRK-B Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
BRK-B Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
BRK-B Omega Ratio Rank: 23
BRK-B Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
BRK-B Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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.

VTIPX vs. BRK-B - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Investor Shares (VTIPX) and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B). 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.

	VTIPX	BRK-B	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.97	-0.32	+3.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.98	-0.34	+5.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.62	0.96	+0.67
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.27	-0.48	+6.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	24.45	-1.02	+25.47
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTIPX vs. BRK-B - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTIPX Sharpe Ratio is 2.97, which is higher than the BRK-B Sharpe Ratio of -0.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTIPX and BRK-B, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VTIPX	BRK-B	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.97	-0.32	+3.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.24	0.60	+0.65
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.38	0.67	+0.71
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.03	0.48	+0.55

Drawdowns

VTIPX vs. BRK-B - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTIPX drawdown since its inception was -5.36%, smaller than the maximum BRK-B drawdown of -53.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTIPX and BRK-B.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTIPX	BRK-B	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.36%	-53.86%	+48.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.72%	-9.42%	+8.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.95%	-14.95%	+14.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-5.36%	-26.58%	+21.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-5.36%	-29.57%	+24.21%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.04%	-11.94%	+11.90%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.11%	-11.07%	+9.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.18%	4.57%	-4.39%

Volatility

VTIPX vs. BRK-B - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Investor Shares (VTIPX) is 0.53%, while Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) has a volatility of 3.75%. This indicates that VTIPX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BRK-B based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTIPX	BRK-B	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.53%	3.75%	-3.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.09%	10.68%	-9.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.51%	14.33%	-12.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.66%	17.11%	-14.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.22%	19.43%	-17.21%

Dividends

VTIPX vs. BRK-B - Dividend Comparison

VTIPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.48%, while BRK-B has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VTIPX Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Investor Shares	3.48%	3.70%	2.60%	2.76%	6.74%	4.59%	1.11%	1.88%	2.37%	1.50%	0.55%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTIPX and BRK-B in my portfolio?

VTIPX and BRK-B have a correlation of 0.02, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTIPX or BRK-B?

BRK-B has higher volatility (3.75%) compared to VTIPX (0.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTIPX dropped -5.36% vs BRK-B's -53.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTIPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.97 vs -0.32), 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.