FSDAX vs. FNCL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FSDAX (Fidelity Select Defense & Aerospace Portfolio) and FNCL (Fidelity MSCI Financials Index ETF) are both funds - FSDAX is a Industrials Equities fund managed by Fidelity, while FNCL is a Financials Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA IMI Financials Index. Over the past 10 years, FSDAX returned 15.44%/yr vs 12.14%/yr for FNCL. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FSDAX charges 0.74%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for FNCL.

Performance

FSDAX vs. FNCL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Select Defense & Aerospace Portfolio (FSDAX) and Fidelity MSCI Financials Index ETF (FNCL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FSDAX achieves a 6.65% return, which is significantly higher than FNCL's -6.43% return. Over the past 10 years, FSDAX has outperformed FNCL with an annualized return of 15.44%, while FNCL has yielded a comparatively lower 12.14% annualized return.

FSDAX

• 1D: -0.94%
• 1M: 6.67%
• YTD: 6.65%
• 6M: 13.89%
• 1Y: 25.92%
• 3Y*: 28.42%
• 5Y*: 16.23%
• 10Y*: 15.44%

FNCL

• 1D: -1.42%
• 1M: -1.74%
• YTD: -6.43%
• 6M: -3.99%
• 1Y: 2.36%
• 3Y*: 18.42%
• 5Y*: 7.79%
• 10Y*: 12.14%

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

FSDAX vs. FNCL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FSDAX Fidelity Select Defense & Aerospace Portfolio	6.65%	50.03%	15.83%	16.29%	6.83%	4.91%	-7.87%	33.75%	-6.83%	34.15%
FNCL Fidelity MSCI Financials Index ETF	-6.43%	14.94%	30.44%	14.10%	-12.28%	34.92%	-2.19%	31.59%	-13.44%	19.99%

Correlation

The correlation between FSDAX and FNCL is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.52
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 25, 2013	0.67

Over the past year, the correlation between FSDAX and FNCL has dropped to 0.39 - well below their long-term average of 0.67, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

FSDAX vs. FNCL — Risk / Return Rank

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

FSDAX

FSDAX Risk / Return Rank: 19
FSDAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
FSDAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
FSDAX Omega Ratio Rank: 19
FSDAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
FSDAX Martin Ratio Rank: 17

FNCL

FNCL Risk / Return Rank: 10
FNCL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
FNCL Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
FNCL Omega Ratio Rank: 10
FNCL Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
FNCL Martin Ratio Rank: 11

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.

FSDAX vs. FNCL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Select Defense & Aerospace Portfolio (FSDAX) and Fidelity MSCI Financials Index ETF (FNCL). 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.

	FSDAX	FNCL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.28	0.16	+1.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.88	0.32	+1.56
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.04	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.67	0.16	+1.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.87	0.43	+4.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FSDAX vs. FNCL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FSDAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.28, which is higher than the FNCL Sharpe Ratio of 0.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FSDAX and FNCL, 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

	FSDAX	FNCL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.28	0.16	+1.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80	0.41	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69	0.55	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	0.53	+0.11

Drawdowns

FSDAX vs. FNCL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FSDAX drawdown since its inception was -60.59%, which is greater than FNCL's maximum drawdown of -44.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSDAX and FNCL.

Drawdown Indicators

	FSDAX	FNCL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.59%	-44.38%	-16.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.13%	-14.78%	-1.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.13%	-17.29%	+1.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.84%	-25.68%	+2.84%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.08%	-44.38%	-2.70%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.26%	-9.28%	+2.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.45%	-6.90%	-3.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.52%	5.56%	-0.04%

Volatility

FSDAX vs. FNCL - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Select Defense & Aerospace Portfolio (FSDAX) has a higher volatility of 7.45% compared to Fidelity MSCI Financials Index ETF (FNCL) at 3.26%. This indicates that FSDAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FNCL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FSDAX	FNCL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.45%	3.26%	+4.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.25%	11.03%	+7.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.08%	14.76%	+6.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.42%	19.26%	+1.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.35%	22.34%	+0.01%

FSDAX vs. FNCL - Expense Ratio Comparison

FSDAX has a 0.74% expense ratio, which is higher than FNCL's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

FSDAX vs. FNCL - Dividend Comparison

FSDAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.14%, more than FNCL's 1.70% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FNCL Fidelity MSCI Financials Index ETF	1.70%	1.45%	1.52%	1.91%	2.29%	1.75%	2.26%	2.17%	2.37%	1.60%	1.81%	2.17%
FSDAX Fidelity Select Defense & Aerospace Portfolio	2.14%	4.48%	7.68%	6.47%	8.87%	8.38%	2.11%	2.62%	11.45%	3.57%	4.87%	6.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FSDAX and FNCL in my portfolio?

FSDAX and FNCL have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FSDAX or FNCL?

FSDAX has higher volatility (7.45%) compared to FNCL (3.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSDAX dropped -60.59% vs FNCL's -44.38%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FSDAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.28 vs 0.16), 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.