FSCHX vs. VAW

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

FSCHX (Fidelity Select Chemicals Portfolio) and VAW (Vanguard Materials ETF) are both funds - FSCHX is a Energy Equities fund managed by Fidelity, while VAW is a Materials fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Materials 25/50 Index. Over the past 10 years, FSCHX returned 5.99%/yr vs 10.37%/yr for VAW. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FSCHX charges 0.74%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VAW.

Performance

FSCHX vs. VAW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Select Chemicals Portfolio (FSCHX) and Vanguard Materials ETF (VAW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FSCHX achieves a 16.00% return, which is significantly higher than VAW's 13.44% return. Over the past 10 years, FSCHX has underperformed VAW with an annualized return of 5.99%, while VAW has yielded a comparatively higher 10.37% annualized return.

FSCHX

• 1D: -0.94%
• 1M: -3.60%
• YTD: 16.00%
• 6M: 17.04%
• 1Y: 11.12%
• 3Y*: 2.81%
• 5Y*: 0.53%
• 10Y*: 5.99%

VAW

• 1D: 1.34%
• 1M: 1.17%
• YTD: 13.44%
• 6M: 17.54%
• 1Y: 24.37%
• 3Y*: 12.55%
• 5Y*: 5.91%
• 10Y*: 10.37%

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

FSCHX vs. VAW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FSCHX Fidelity Select Chemicals Portfolio	16.00%	-8.85%	-6.17%	12.80%	-13.81%	31.95%	17.52%	8.30%	-22.30%	31.63%
VAW Vanguard Materials ETF	13.44%	12.30%	0.48%	13.67%	-11.80%	27.43%	19.44%	23.53%	-17.49%	23.76%

Correlation

The correlation between FSCHX and VAW is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	0.94

The correlation between FSCHX and VAW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FSCHX vs. VAW — Risk / Return Rank

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

FSCHX

FSCHX Risk / Return Rank: 7
FSCHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
FSCHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
FSCHX Omega Ratio Rank: 7
FSCHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
FSCHX Martin Ratio Rank: 6

VAW

VAW Risk / Return Rank: 38
VAW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
VAW Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
VAW Omega Ratio Rank: 36
VAW Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
VAW Martin Ratio Rank: 38

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.

FSCHX vs. VAW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Select Chemicals Portfolio (FSCHX) and Vanguard Materials ETF (VAW). 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.

	FSCHX	VAW	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.65	1.39	-0.74
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.03	1.98	-0.96
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.24	-0.12
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.76	1.86	-1.10
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.87	6.13	-4.26
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FSCHX vs. VAW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FSCHX Sharpe Ratio is 0.65, which is lower than the VAW Sharpe Ratio of 1.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FSCHX and VAW, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FSCHX	VAW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.65	1.39	-0.74
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.03	0.30	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.27	0.49	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.39	+0.17

Drawdowns

FSCHX vs. VAW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FSCHX drawdown since its inception was -59.24%, roughly equal to the maximum VAW drawdown of -62.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSCHX and VAW.

Drawdown Indicators

	FSCHX	VAW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.24%	-62.17%	+2.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.98%	-13.42%	-0.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.38%	-23.21%	-4.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.38%	-25.50%	-1.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-51.75%	-41.13%	-10.62%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.75%	-3.56%	-5.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.88%	-9.63%	+0.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.72%	4.08%	+1.64%

Volatility

FSCHX vs. VAW - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Fidelity Select Chemicals Portfolio (FSCHX) is 4.97%, while Vanguard Materials ETF (VAW) has a volatility of 6.32%. This indicates that FSCHX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VAW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FSCHX	VAW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.97%	6.32%	-1.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.84%	13.93%	-2.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.39%	17.65%	-1.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.95%	19.62%	+0.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.46%	21.20%	+1.26%

FSCHX vs. VAW - Expense Ratio Comparison

FSCHX has a 0.74% expense ratio, which is higher than VAW's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

FSCHX vs. VAW - Dividend Comparison

FSCHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.95%, more than VAW's 1.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FSCHX Fidelity Select Chemicals Portfolio	2.95%	2.23%	8.27%	6.33%	11.44%	1.18%	1.10%	6.97%	15.01%	8.05%	4.75%	6.58%
VAW Vanguard Materials ETF	1.36%	1.55%	1.70%	1.72%	1.98%	1.44%	1.67%	1.94%	2.03%	1.63%	1.67%	2.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FSCHX and VAW in my portfolio?

FSCHX and VAW have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FSCHX or VAW?

VAW has higher volatility (6.32%) compared to FSCHX (4.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSCHX dropped -59.24% vs VAW's -62.17%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VAW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.39 vs 0.65), 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.