FDFAX vs. XLB

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

FDFAX (Fidelity Select Consumer Staples Portfolio) and XLB (Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both funds - FDFAX is a Consumer Staples Equities fund managed by Fidelity, while XLB is a Materials fund tracking the Materials Select Sector Index. Over the past 10 years, FDFAX returned 5.82%/yr vs 9.73%/yr for XLB. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FDFAX charges 0.73%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for XLB.

Performance

FDFAX vs. XLB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Select Consumer Staples Portfolio (FDFAX) and Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FDFAX achieves a 10.57% return, which is significantly lower than XLB's 13.14% return. Over the past 10 years, FDFAX has underperformed XLB with an annualized return of 5.82%, while XLB has yielded a comparatively higher 9.73% annualized return.

FDFAX

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: -1.72%
• 6M: 5.19%
• YTD: 10.57%
• 1Y: 10.13%
• 3Y*: 4.71%
• 5Y*: 4.51%
• 10Y*: 5.82%

XLB

• 1D: 0.77%
• 1M: -3.11%
• 6M: 4.80%
• YTD: 13.14%
• 1Y: 15.95%
• 3Y*: 8.96%
• 5Y*: 6.74%
• 10Y*: 9.73%

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

FDFAX vs. XLB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FDFAX Fidelity Select Consumer Staples Portfolio	10.57%	-1.31%	5.58%	3.02%	-0.44%	14.43%	11.60%	31.79%	-15.91%	12.15%
XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF	13.14%	9.94%	0.15%	12.46%	-12.30%	27.44%	20.46%	24.13%	-14.88%	24.01%

Correlation

The correlation between FDFAX and XLB is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.47
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 1998	0.58

Over the past year, the correlation between FDFAX and XLB has dropped to 0.34 - well below their long-term average of 0.58, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FDFAX vs. XLB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FDFAX	XLB
Consumer Defensive	96.4%	-
Industrials	2.7%	1.5%
Consumer Cyclical	0.9%	12.7%
Basic Materials	-	87.3%
Communication Services	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FDFAX vs. XLB — Risk / Return Rank

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

FDFAX

FDFAX Risk / Return Rank: 14
FDFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
FDFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
FDFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 12
FDFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
FDFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 10

XLB

XLB Risk / Return Rank: 31
XLB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
XLB Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
XLB Omega Ratio Rank: 28
XLB Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
XLB Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

FDFAX vs. XLB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Select Consumer Staples Portfolio (FDFAX) and Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB). 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.

	FDFAX	XLB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.76	0.91	-0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.17	1.38	-0.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.16	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.17	1.29	-0.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.12	3.83	-1.71

FDFAX vs. XLB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDFAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.76, which is comparable to the XLB Sharpe Ratio of 0.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDFAX and XLB, 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

FDFAX vs. XLB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDFAX drawdown since its inception was -38.29%, smaller than the maximum XLB drawdown of -59.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDFAX and XLB.

Drawdown Indicators

	FDFAX	XLB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.29%	-59.83%	+21.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.18%	-12.38%	+3.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.03%	-23.17%	+10.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.63%	-24.72%	+9.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.66%	-37.27%	+9.61%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.06%	-4.31%	+0.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.04%	-10.81%	+5.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.04%	4.17%	+0.87%

Volatility

FDFAX vs. XLB - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Select Consumer Staples Portfolio (FDFAX) has a higher volatility of 5.37% compared to Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB) at 5.02%. This indicates that FDFAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FDFAX	XLB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.37%	5.02%	+0.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.59%	13.69%	-3.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.09%	17.51%	-3.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.98%	19.06%	-5.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.99%	20.63%	-5.64%

FDFAX vs. XLB - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDFAX has a 0.73% expense ratio, which is higher than XLB's 0.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

FDFAX vs. XLB - Dividend Comparison

FDFAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.86%, more than XLB's 1.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDFAX Fidelity Select Consumer Staples Portfolio	2.86%	6.45%	8.49%	5.13%	3.34%	10.73%	3.16%	2.78%	14.36%	8.82%	4.71%	9.06%
XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.67%	1.92%	1.92%	2.00%	2.26%	1.62%	1.72%	1.98%	2.20%	1.66%	1.95%	2.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FDFAX and XLB in my portfolio?

FDFAX and XLB have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FDFAX or XLB?

FDFAX has higher volatility (5.37%) compared to XLB (5.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDFAX dropped -38.29% vs XLB's -59.83%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.91 vs 0.76), 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.