FBTAX vs. FSMEX

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

FBTAX (Fidelity Advisor Biotechnology Fund Class A) and FSMEX (Fidelity Select Medical Technology and Devices Portfolio) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds from Fidelity. Over the past 10 years, FBTAX returned 13.57%/yr vs 10.08%/yr for FSMEX. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FBTAX charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for FSMEX.

Performance

FBTAX vs. FSMEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Advisor Biotechnology Fund Class A (FBTAX) and Fidelity Select Medical Technology and Devices Portfolio (FSMEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FBTAX achieves a 13.94% return, which is significantly higher than FSMEX's -13.25% return. Over the past 10 years, FBTAX has outperformed FSMEX with an annualized return of 13.57%, while FSMEX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.08% annualized return.

FBTAX

• 1D: 0.78%
• 1M: 9.69%
• YTD: 13.94%
• 6M: 10.59%
• 1Y: 64.62%
• 3Y*: 22.65%
• 5Y*: 10.81%
• 10Y*: 13.57%

FSMEX

• 1D: 3.52%
• 1M: 6.98%
• YTD: -13.25%
• 6M: -13.65%
• 1Y: -8.14%
• 3Y*: 2.17%
• 5Y*: -1.74%
• 10Y*: 10.08%

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

FBTAX vs. FSMEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FBTAX Fidelity Advisor Biotechnology Fund Class A	13.94%	39.54%	5.37%	10.70%	-7.95%	-3.10%	32.17%	25.74%	-3.86%	25.80%
FSMEX Fidelity Select Medical Technology and Devices Portfolio	-13.25%	8.13%	18.37%	0.62%	-24.84%	24.56%	30.18%	29.58%	15.98%	26.66%

Correlation

The correlation between FBTAX and FSMEX is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.44
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.52
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 27, 2000	0.68

Over the past year, the correlation between FBTAX and FSMEX has dropped to 0.44 - well below their long-term average of 0.68, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

FBTAX vs. FSMEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FBTAX

FBTAX Risk / Return Rank: 91
FBTAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
FBTAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
FBTAX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
FBTAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
FBTAX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

FSMEX

FSMEX Risk / Return Rank: 2
FSMEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
FSMEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
FSMEX Omega Ratio Rank: 2
FSMEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
FSMEX Martin Ratio Rank: 2

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.

FBTAX vs. FSMEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Advisor Biotechnology Fund Class A (FBTAX) and Fidelity Select Medical Technology and Devices Portfolio (FSMEX). 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.

	FBTAX	FSMEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.79	-0.42	+3.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.69	-0.48	+4.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	0.95	+0.50
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.24	-0.30	+7.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.94	-0.67	+20.61

FBTAX vs. FSMEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FBTAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.79, which is higher than the FSMEX Sharpe Ratio of -0.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FBTAX and FSMEX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

FBTAX vs. FSMEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FBTAX drawdown since its inception was -63.55%, which is greater than FSMEX's maximum drawdown of -40.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FBTAX and FSMEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FBTAX	FSMEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.55%	-40.34%	-23.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.91%	-26.28%	+17.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.86%	-26.28%	-6.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.51%	-40.34%	+3.83%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.82%	-40.34%	+1.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-18.76%	+18.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.18%	-7.78%	-13.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.23%	11.81%	-8.58%

Volatility

FBTAX vs. FSMEX - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Advisor Biotechnology Fund Class A (FBTAX) has a higher volatility of 9.18% compared to Fidelity Select Medical Technology and Devices Portfolio (FSMEX) at 7.99%. This indicates that FBTAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FSMEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FBTAX	FSMEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.18%	7.99%	+1.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.92%	15.70%	+2.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.16%	19.12%	+4.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.69%	21.17%	+2.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.43%	20.82%	+3.61%

FBTAX vs. FSMEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FBTAX has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than FSMEX's 0.68% expense ratio.

Dividends

FBTAX vs. FSMEX - Dividend Comparison

FBTAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.28%, less than FSMEX's 20.93% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FBTAX Fidelity Advisor Biotechnology Fund Class A	1.28%	1.45%	6.00%	1.15%	0.00%	20.12%	8.37%	6.77%	2.50%	0.00%	0.00%	5.36%
FSMEX Fidelity Select Medical Technology and Devices Portfolio	20.93%	10.53%	17.04%	0.00%	1.80%	8.12%	6.65%	1.77%	7.47%	6.26%	5.84%	16.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FBTAX and FSMEX in my portfolio?

FBTAX and FSMEX have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FBTAX or FSMEX?

FBTAX has higher volatility (9.18%) compared to FSMEX (7.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FBTAX dropped -63.55% vs FSMEX's -40.34%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FBTAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.79 vs -0.42), 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.