VTSPX vs. BIIPX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VTSPX (Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares) and BIIPX (iShares Short-Term TIPS Bond Index Fund) are both Inflation-Protected Bonds funds. Over the past 5 years, VTSPX returned 3.40%/yr vs 2.84%/yr for BIIPX. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VTSPX charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for BIIPX.

Performance

VTSPX vs. BIIPX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares (VTSPX) and iShares Short-Term TIPS Bond Index Fund (BIIPX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VTSPX having a 2.06% return and BIIPX slightly lower at 1.98%.

VTSPX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.04%
• YTD: 2.06%
• 6M: 2.05%
• 1Y: 4.72%
• 3Y*: 5.26%
• 5Y*: 3.40%
• 10Y*: 3.16%

BIIPX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.12%
• YTD: 1.98%
• 6M: 2.04%
• 1Y: 4.68%
• 3Y*: 5.00%
• 5Y*: 2.84%
• 10Y*: —

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

VTSPX vs. BIIPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTSPX Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares	2.06%	6.06%	4.75%	4.61%	-2.82%	5.32%	4.99%	4.82%	0.59%	0.83%
BIIPX iShares Short-Term TIPS Bond Index Fund	1.98%	6.05%	4.75%	3.25%	-4.12%	5.19%	4.89%	4.83%	0.58%	0.88%

Correlation

The correlation between VTSPX and BIIPX is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.82

The correlation between VTSPX and BIIPX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VTSPX vs. BIIPX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTSPX

VTSPX Risk / Return Rank: 94
VTSPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
VTSPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
VTSPX Omega Ratio Rank: 91
VTSPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
VTSPX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

BIIPX

BIIPX Risk / Return Rank: 75
BIIPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
BIIPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
BIIPX Omega Ratio Rank: 76
BIIPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
BIIPX Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

VTSPX vs. BIIPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares (VTSPX) and iShares Short-Term TIPS Bond Index Fund (BIIPX). 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.

	VTSPX	BIIPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.06	2.03	+1.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.19	3.96	+1.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.67	1.50	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.50	3.76	+2.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	25.54	16.24	+9.30
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTSPX vs. BIIPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTSPX Sharpe Ratio is 3.06, which is higher than the BIIPX Sharpe Ratio of 2.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTSPX and BIIPX, 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

	VTSPX	BIIPX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.06	2.03	+1.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.28	0.92	+0.36
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.42	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.08	1.12	-0.04

Drawdowns

VTSPX vs. BIIPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTSPX drawdown since its inception was -5.35%, smaller than the maximum BIIPX drawdown of -6.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTSPX and BIIPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTSPX	BIIPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.35%	-6.46%	+1.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.72%	-1.22%	+0.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.92%	-1.22%	+0.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-5.35%	-6.46%	+1.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-5.35%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.04%	0.00%	-0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.01%	-1.08%	+0.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.18%	0.28%	-0.10%

Volatility

VTSPX vs. BIIPX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares (VTSPX) is 0.57%, while iShares Short-Term TIPS Bond Index Fund (BIIPX) has a volatility of 1.21%. This indicates that VTSPX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BIIPX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTSPX	BIIPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.57%	1.21%	-0.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.12%	1.67%	-0.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.52%	2.27%	-0.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.67%	3.11%	-0.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.23%	2.64%	-0.41%

VTSPX vs. BIIPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTSPX has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than BIIPX's 0.08% 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

VTSPX vs. BIIPX - Dividend Comparison

VTSPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.59%, less than BIIPX's 4.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
BIIPX iShares Short-Term TIPS Bond Index Fund	4.59%	4.64%	4.30%	2.65%	4.56%	4.39%	1.58%	2.27%	2.74%	1.89%	0.00%
VTSPX Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares	3.59%	3.81%	2.70%	2.86%	6.84%	4.69%	1.21%	1.96%	2.47%	1.52%	0.80%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTSPX and BIIPX in my portfolio?

VTSPX and BIIPX have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTSPX or BIIPX?

BIIPX has higher volatility (1.21%) compared to VTSPX (0.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTSPX dropped -5.35% vs BIIPX's -6.46%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTSPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.06 vs 2.03), 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.