VTIP vs IBCI: returns, risk and drawdowns compared
Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF against iShares € Inflation Linked Govt Bond UCITS ETF (Acc), over the same 14 years (November 2012 to October 2026) with dividends reinvested.
Data updated October 2026
From November 2012 to October 2026, VTIP returned 2.2% a year and IBCI 1.3% a year on average, so VTIP came out ahead by 1.0% a year. IBCI was the more volatile of the two (5.7% against 2.3% a year), and the deepest falls from a month-end high were 4.6% for VTIP and 12.8% for IBCI.
The correlation of monthly returns was 0.60: they moved together only in part. Over 133 rolling 3-year periods, VTIP did better in 68% and IBCI in 32%.
VTIP trades in USD and IBCI in EUR: each return is in its own currency, so part of the gap reflects the move of the euro against the dollar.
Side by side
| VTIP | IBCI | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual return (CAGR) | +2.2% | +1.3% |
| Total return | +36% | +19% |
| Annual volatility | 2.3% | 5.7% |
| Maximum drawdown (month-end) | −4.6% | −12.8% |
| Worst month | −2.9% | −6.8% |
| Best month | +2.0% | +6.1% |
| Positive months | 63% | 55% |
| Best year | 2025: +6.1% | 2019: +6.5% |
| Worst year | 2022: −2.9% | 2022: −9.6% |
| 1-year return | +1.7% | −1.6% |
| 5 years, a year | +3.0% | −0.8% |
| 10 years, a year | +3.1% | +0.9% |
| Trading currency | USD | EUR |
First nine rows: the same 168 months for both funds. Trailing returns: to each fund’s last close.
Growth of 10,000: VTIP vs IBCI
Returns by calendar year
| Year | VTIP | IBCI |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +6.1% | +0.8% |
| 2024 | +4.7% | +0.1% |
| 2023 | +5.2% | +5.6% |
| 2022 | −2.9% | −9.6% |
| 2021 | +5.4% | +6.2% |
| 2020 | +5.0% | +2.7% |
| 2019 | +5.2% | +6.5% |
| 2018 | +0.6% | −1.7% |
| 2017 | +0.8% | +1.1% |
| 2016 | +2.5% | +3.6% |
| 2015 | +0.2% | +0.7% |
| 2014 | −1.4% | +5.4% |
| 2013 | −1.5% | −4.2% |
How the figures are calculated
Total return in the fund’s trading currency, from end-of-day prices with dividends reinvested on the ex-date. The fund’s own ongoing charges are already reflected in its price; trading costs, taxes and currency conversion are not included. Past returns do not predict future returns.
The comparison uses only the months in which both funds have prices, so the figures cover the same period even when one fund is older.
Questions
Which has returned more, VTIP or IBCI?
From November 2012 to October 2026, VTIP returned +2.2% a year and IBCI +1.3% a year, with dividends reinvested, each in its own trading currency (USD and EUR). Over rolling 3-year periods VTIP did better in 68% of cases. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, VTIP or IBCI?
Over the same months annual volatility was 2.3% for VTIP and 5.7% for IBCI; the deepest fall from a month-end high was 4.6% and 12.8%, and the worst single month −2.9% and −6.8%.
How correlated are VTIP and IBCI?
The correlation of their monthly returns was 0.60: they moved together only in part. Combining them has historically given some diversification.
More comparisons
Source: MarketStack end-of-day prices, total return with dividends reinvested. Figures are historical and descriptive; they are not forecasts and not investment advice. MEDGE Capital does not recommend buying or selling any instrument. Risk disclaimer.