FSDAX vs. ITA
FSDAX (Fidelity Select Defense & Aerospace Portfolio) and ITA (iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF) are both Aerospace & Defense funds. FSDAX is actively managed, while ITA is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FSDAX returned 16.07%/yr vs 15.64%/yr for ITA. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. FSDAX charges 0.63%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for ITA.
Performance
FSDAX vs. ITA - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FSDAX achieves a 12.70% return, which is significantly higher than ITA's 9.85% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FSDAX having a 16.07% annualized return and ITA not far behind at 15.64%.
FSDAX
- 1D
- -1.16%
- 1M
- 7.55%
- YTD
- 12.70%
- 6M
- 10.25%
- 1Y
- 33.42%
- 3Y*
- 29.57%
- 5Y*
- 18.05%
- 10Y*
- 16.07%
ITA
- 1D
- -1.46%
- 1M
- 4.57%
- YTD
- 9.85%
- 6M
- 7.51%
- 1Y
- 31.18%
- 3Y*
- 28.43%
- 5Y*
- 17.33%
- 10Y*
- 15.64%
FSDAX vs. ITA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FSDAX Fidelity Select Defense & Aerospace Portfolio | 12.70% | 50.03% | 15.83% | 16.29% | 6.83% | 4.91% | -7.87% | 33.75% | -6.83% | 34.15% |
ITA iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | 9.85% | 48.64% | 15.81% | 14.33% | 9.96% | 9.39% | -13.57% | 30.51% | -7.22% | 35.24% |
Correlation
The correlation between FSDAX and ITA is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 5, 2006 | 0.97 |
The correlation between FSDAX and ITA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
FSDAX vs. ITA — Risk / Return Rank
FSDAX
ITA
FSDAX vs. ITA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Select Defense & Aerospace Portfolio (FSDAX) and iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA). 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.
| FSDAX | ITA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.14 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.18 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.25 | +0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.15 | 1.98 | +0.17 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.14 | 5.21 | +0.93 |
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Drawdowns
FSDAX vs. ITA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FSDAX drawdown since its inception was -60.59%, roughly equal to the maximum ITA drawdown of -59.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSDAX and ITA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FSDAX | ITA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -60.59% | -59.72% | -0.87% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -16.13% | -15.82% | -0.31% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.13% | -15.82% | -0.31% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -22.48% | -18.72% | -3.76% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -47.08% | -51.00% | +3.92% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.00% | -5.89% | +3.89% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.44% | -9.45% | -0.99% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.64% | 6.00% | -0.36% |
Volatility
FSDAX vs. ITA - Volatility Comparison
Fidelity Select Defense & Aerospace Portfolio (FSDAX) and iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) have volatilities of 8.33% and 8.50%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FSDAX | ITA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.33% | 8.50% | -0.17% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 19.02% | 18.55% | +0.47% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.10% | 21.95% | +0.15% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.64% | 20.23% | +0.41% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.45% | 23.26% | -0.81% |
FSDAX vs. ITA - Expense Ratio Comparison
FSDAX has a 0.63% expense ratio, which is higher than ITA's 0.38% expense ratio.
Dividends
FSDAX vs. ITA - Dividend Comparison
FSDAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.03%, more than ITA's 0.45% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FSDAX Fidelity Select Defense & Aerospace Portfolio | 2.03% | 4.48% | 7.68% | 6.47% | 8.87% | 8.38% | 2.11% | 2.62% | 11.45% | 3.57% | 4.87% | 6.30% |
ITA iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | 0.45% | 0.55% | 0.85% | 0.93% | 0.95% | 0.82% | 1.07% | 1.54% | 1.13% | 0.91% | 1.07% | 1.04% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.98, FSDAX and ITA 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.
ITA has higher volatility (8.50%) compared to FSDAX (8.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSDAX dropped -60.59% vs ITA's -59.72%.
FSDAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.57 vs 1.43), 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.
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