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VTSPX vs. DIPSX
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

VTSPX vs. DIPSX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares (VTSPX) and DFA Inflation-Protected Securities Portfolio (DIPSX).

VTSPX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Oct 17, 2012. DIPSX is managed by Dimensional. It was launched on Sep 17, 2006.

Performance

VTSPX vs. DIPSX - 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 DFA Inflation-Protected Securities Portfolio (DIPSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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VTSPX vs. DIPSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VTSPX
Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares		0.97%6.06%4.75%4.61%-2.82%5.32%4.99%4.82%0.59%0.83%
DIPSX
DFA Inflation-Protected Securities Portfolio		0.36%5.77%2.02%3.93%-12.26%5.55%11.65%8.54%-1.30%3.28%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTSPX achieves a 0.97% return, which is significantly higher than DIPSX's 0.36% return. Over the past 10 years, VTSPX has outperformed DIPSX with an annualized return of 3.08%, while DIPSX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.53% annualized return.

VTSPX

1D
0.28%
1M
0.04%
YTD
0.97%
6M
1.36%
1Y
3.93%
3Y*
4.69%
5Y*
3.51%
10Y*
3.08%

DIPSX

1D
0.63%
1M
-1.41%
YTD
0.36%
6M
0.19%
1Y
1.69%
3Y*
2.74%
5Y*
1.18%
10Y*
2.53%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

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Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares

DFA Inflation-Protected Securities Portfolio

Often compared with VTSPX:
VTSPX vs. VTAPXVTSPX vs. VBTIXVTSPX vs. VBMPXVTSPX vs. VTIPVTSPX vs. VTIPXVTSPX vs. VIGIXVTSPX vs. VFITX
Often compared with DIPSX:
DIPSX vs. FEPIXDIPSX vs. DFIGXDIPSX vs. FXNAXDIPSX vs. GTRAXDIPSX vs. PIMIXDIPSX vs. AVIEDIPSX vs. FZROX

VTSPX vs. DIPSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTSPX has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than DIPSX's 0.11% 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%.

DIPSX
DFA Inflation-Protected Securities Portfolio
VTSPX
Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares

Return for Risk

VTSPX vs. DIPSX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VTSPX
VTSPX Risk / Return Rank: 9696
Overall Rank
VTSPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9595
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VTSPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9696
Sortino Ratio Rank
VTSPX Omega Ratio Rank: 9595
Omega Ratio Rank
VTSPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9898
Calmar Ratio Rank
VTSPX Martin Ratio Rank: 9696
Martin Ratio Rank
DIPSX
DIPSX Risk / Return Rank: 2222
Overall Rank
DIPSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1919
Sharpe Ratio Rank
DIPSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1616
Sortino Ratio Rank
DIPSX Omega Ratio Rank: 1515
Omega Ratio Rank
DIPSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3434
Calmar Ratio Rank
DIPSX Martin Ratio Rank: 2525
Martin Ratio Rank
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. DIPSX - 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 DFA Inflation-Protected Securities Portfolio (DIPSX). 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.

VTSPXDIPSXDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

2.31

0.48

+1.82

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

3.51

0.68

+2.84

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.51

1.09

+0.42

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

4.69

0.93

+3.76

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

14.73

2.70

+12.03

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. DIPSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTSPX Sharpe Ratio is 2.31, which is higher than the DIPSX Sharpe Ratio of 0.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTSPX and DIPSX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

VTSPXDIPSXDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.31

0.48

+1.82

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

1.32

0.19

+1.14

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

1.39

0.44

+0.94

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

1.05

0.31

+0.74

Correlation

The correlation between VTSPX and DIPSX is 0.79, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

VTSPX vs. DIPSX - Dividend Comparison

VTSPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.58%, more than DIPSX's 2.05% yield.

TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VTSPX
Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares		3.58%3.81%2.70%2.86%6.84%4.69%1.21%1.96%2.47%1.52%0.80%0.00%
DIPSX
DFA Inflation-Protected Securities Portfolio		2.05%2.43%2.70%3.73%8.14%4.86%1.58%2.12%2.28%2.64%1.99%0.69%

Drawdowns

VTSPX vs. DIPSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTSPX drawdown since its inception was -5.35%, smaller than the maximum DIPSX drawdown of -14.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTSPX and DIPSX.

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Drawdown Indicators

VTSPXDIPSXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-5.35%

-14.64%

+9.29%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-0.92%

-3.02%

+2.10%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-5.35%

-14.64%

+9.29%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-5.35%

-14.64%

+9.29%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.28%

-1.92%

+1.64%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-1.02%

-4.60%

+3.58%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.29%

1.04%

-0.75%

Volatility

VTSPX vs. DIPSX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares (VTSPX) is 0.60%, while DFA Inflation-Protected Securities Portfolio (DIPSX) has a volatility of 1.40%. This indicates that VTSPX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DIPSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VTSPXDIPSXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

0.60%

1.40%

-0.80%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

0.96%

2.35%

-1.39%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.78%

4.31%

-2.53%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

2.67%

6.37%

-3.70%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

2.23%

5.73%

-3.50%