VTP vs. VTAPX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VTP (Vanguard Total Inflation-Protected Securities ETF) and VTAPX (Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Inflation-Protected Bonds funds from Vanguard - VTP tracks the ICE U.S. Treasury Inflation Linked Bond Index 0-5 while VTAPX tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) 0-5 Year Index. Both are passively managed. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VTP charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VTAPX.

Performance

VTP vs. VTAPX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total Inflation-Protected Securities ETF (VTP) and Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTAPX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTP achieves a 0.75% return, which is significantly lower than VTAPX's 1.33% return.

VTP

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: -0.12%
• YTD: 0.75%
• 6M: 0.95%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VTAPX

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: -0.16%
• YTD: 1.33%
• 6M: 1.45%
• 1Y: 3.53%
• 3Y*: 4.98%
• 5Y*: 3.25%
• 10Y*: 3.02%

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

VTP vs. VTAPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VTP Vanguard Total Inflation-Protected Securities ETF	0.75%	2.46%
VTAPX Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.33%	1.96%

Correlation

The correlation between VTP and VTAPX is 0.73, 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	0.73

Return for Risk

VTP vs. VTAPX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTP

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

VTAPX

VTAPX Risk / Return Rank: 84
VTAPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
VTAPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
VTAPX Omega Ratio Rank: 79
VTAPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
VTAPX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

VTP vs. VTAPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Inflation-Protected Securities ETF (VTP) and Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTAPX). 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.

	VTP	VTAPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	2.29	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	3.53	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.47	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	4.83	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	18.18	—

Drawdowns

VTP vs. VTAPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTP drawdown since its inception was -1.92%, smaller than the maximum VTAPX drawdown of -5.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTP and VTAPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTP	VTAPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.92%	-5.33%	+3.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-0.75%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-0.92%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-5.33%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-5.33%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.09%	-0.75%	-0.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.52%	-1.03%	+0.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.20%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VTP	VTAPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.68%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	1.22%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.34%	1.58%	+1.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.34%	2.66%	+0.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.34%	2.24%	+1.10%

VTP vs. VTAPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTP has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than VTAPX's 0.06% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VTP vs. VTAPX - Dividend Comparison

VTP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.62%, less than VTAPX's 3.58% 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%
VTP Vanguard Total Inflation-Protected Securities ETF	1.62%	1.56%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTP and VTAPX in my portfolio?

VTP and VTAPX have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.