FIDSX vs. XLF

Last updated Jun 21, 2026

FIDSX (Fidelity Select Financial Services Portfolio) and XLF (State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both Financials Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, FIDSX returned 13.44%/yr vs 13.28%/yr for XLF. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. FIDSX charges 0.73%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLF.

Performance

FIDSX vs. XLF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Select Financial Services Portfolio (FIDSX) and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FIDSX achieves a 2.00% return, which is significantly higher than XLF's -1.69% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FIDSX having a 13.44% annualized return and XLF not far behind at 13.28%.

FIDSX

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 3.62%
• YTD: 2.00%
• 6M: -3.79%
• 1Y: 8.30%
• 3Y*: 20.36%
• 5Y*: 11.49%
• 10Y*: 13.44%

XLF

• 1D: -0.89%
• 1M: 3.56%
• YTD: -1.69%
• 6M: -1.47%
• 1Y: 8.02%
• 3Y*: 18.75%
• 5Y*: 10.65%
• 10Y*: 13.28%

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

FIDSX vs. XLF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FIDSX Fidelity Select Financial Services Portfolio	2.00%	9.33%	32.82%	14.53%	-8.19%	33.13%	1.22%	34.25%	-16.13%	20.92%
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	-1.69%	14.90%	30.56%	12.03%	-10.59%	34.80%	-1.74%	31.88%	-13.06%	22.00%

Correlation

The correlation between FIDSX and XLF is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 1998	0.96

The correlation between FIDSX and XLF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

FIDSX vs. XLF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FIDSX	XLF
Financial Services	98.7%	98.0%
Technology	1.3%	1.8%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	0.2%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FIDSX vs. XLF — Risk / Return Rank

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

FIDSX

FIDSX Risk / Return Rank: 7
FIDSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
FIDSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
FIDSX Omega Ratio Rank: 7
FIDSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
FIDSX Martin Ratio Rank: 6

XLF

XLF Risk / Return Rank: 16
XLF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
XLF Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
XLF Omega Ratio Rank: 16
XLF Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
XLF Martin Ratio Rank: 15

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.

FIDSX vs. XLF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Select Financial Services Portfolio (FIDSX) and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF). 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.

	FIDSX	XLF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.51	0.57	-0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.78	0.86	-0.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.11	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.53	0.56	-0.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.27	1.44	-0.17

FIDSX vs. XLF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FIDSX Sharpe Ratio is 0.51, which is comparable to the XLF Sharpe Ratio of 0.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FIDSX and XLF, 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

FIDSX vs. XLF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FIDSX drawdown since its inception was -74.26%, smaller than the maximum XLF drawdown of -82.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FIDSX and XLF.

Drawdown Indicators

	FIDSX	XLF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.26%	-82.69%	+8.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.60%	-14.79%	-1.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.44%	-15.54%	-3.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.49%	-25.81%	+1.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.48%	-42.86%	-2.62%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.13%	-4.53%	-0.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.94%	-20.00%	+6.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.85%	5.78%	+1.07%

Volatility

FIDSX vs. XLF - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Select Financial Services Portfolio (FIDSX) has a higher volatility of 4.51% compared to State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) at 4.20%. This indicates that FIDSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FIDSX	XLF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.51%	4.20%	+0.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.49%	11.25%	+2.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.08%	14.60%	+2.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.82%	18.59%	+2.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.69%	22.17%	+1.52%

FIDSX vs. XLF - Expense Ratio Comparison

FIDSX has a 0.73% expense ratio, which is higher than XLF's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

FIDSX vs. XLF - Dividend Comparison

FIDSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.42%, less than XLF's 1.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FIDSX Fidelity Select Financial Services Portfolio	1.42%	1.70%	6.03%	3.01%	11.32%	4.12%	5.86%	5.57%	12.89%	4.22%	1.00%	0.70%
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.48%	1.31%	1.42%	1.71%	2.04%	1.63%	2.03%	1.87%	2.08%	1.48%	21.10%	1.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FIDSX and XLF in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, FIDSX and XLF move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, FIDSX or XLF?

FIDSX has higher volatility (4.51%) compared to XLF (4.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FIDSX dropped -74.26% vs XLF's -82.69%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.57 vs 0.51), 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.