FSDAX vs. PPA

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

FSDAX (Fidelity Select Defense & Aerospace Portfolio) and PPA (Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF) are both Aerospace & Defense funds. FSDAX is actively managed, while PPA is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FSDAX returned 15.62%/yr vs 17.29%/yr for PPA. Their 0.95 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. FSDAX charges 0.63%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for PPA.

Performance

FSDAX vs. PPA - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FSDAX achieves a 12.58% return, which is significantly higher than PPA's 11.49% return. Over the past 10 years, FSDAX has underperformed PPA with an annualized return of 15.62%, while PPA has yielded a comparatively higher 17.29% annualized return.

FSDAX

• 1D: 0.97%
• 1M: -4.06%
• 6M: 6.10%
• YTD: 12.58%
• 1Y: 22.65%
• 3Y*: 28.50%
• 5Y*: 18.30%
• 10Y*: 15.62%
• ALL TIME*: 12.21%

PPA

• 1D: 1.05%
• 1M: -3.67%
• 6M: 0.02%
• YTD: 11.49%
• 1Y: 20.71%
• 3Y*: 27.42%
• 5Y*: 19.17%
• 10Y*: 17.29%
• ALL TIME*: 13.61%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FSDAX Fidelity Select Defense & Aerospace Portfolio	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
PPA Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF	$33.38M	$30.87M	$36.33M

FSDAX vs. PPA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FSDAX Fidelity Select Defense & Aerospace Portfolio	12.58%	50.03%	15.83%	16.29%	6.83%	4.91%	-7.87%	33.75%	-6.83%	34.15%
PPA Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF	11.49%	37.15%	25.28%	18.41%	9.52%	7.09%	0.45%	39.63%	-7.51%	30.10%

Correlation

The correlation between FSDAX and PPA is 0.94, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 26, 2005	0.95

The correlation between FSDAX and PPA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FSDAX vs. PPA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FSDAX

FSDAX Risk / Return Rank: 30
FSDAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
FSDAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
FSDAX Omega Ratio Rank: 29
FSDAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
FSDAX Martin Ratio Rank: 27

PPA

PPA Risk / Return Rank: 39
PPA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
PPA Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
PPA Omega Ratio Rank: 36
PPA Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
PPA Martin Ratio Rank: 37

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FSDAX vs. PPA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Select Defense & Aerospace Portfolio (FSDAX) and Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (PPA). 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	PPA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.94	0.96	-0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.45	1.49	-0.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.17	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.33	1.46	-0.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.65	3.72	-0.08

FSDAX vs. PPA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FSDAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.94, which is comparable to the PPA Sharpe Ratio of 0.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FSDAX and PPA, 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

FSDAX vs. PPA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FSDAX drawdown since its inception was -60.59%, which is greater than PPA's maximum drawdown of -57.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSDAX and PPA.

Drawdown Indicators

	FSDAX	PPA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.59%	-57.37%	-3.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.13%	-13.71%	-2.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.13%	-15.24%	-0.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.90%	-18.37%	-3.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.08%	-43.92%	-3.16%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.22%	-5.91%	+0.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.43%	-9.16%	-1.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.86%	5.38%	+0.48%

Volatility

FSDAX vs. PPA - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Select Defense & Aerospace Portfolio (FSDAX) has a higher volatility of 7.33% compared to Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (PPA) at 6.77%. This indicates that FSDAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PPA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FSDAX	PPA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.33%	6.77%	+0.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.86%	16.84%	+2.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.77%	20.85%	+1.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.65%	18.76%	+1.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.51%	20.79%	+1.72%

FSDAX vs. PPA - Expense Ratio Comparison

FSDAX has a 0.63% expense ratio, which is higher than PPA's 0.58% expense ratio.

Dividends

FSDAX vs. PPA - Dividend Comparison

FSDAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.03%, more than PPA's 0.37% 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%
PPA Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.37%	0.42%	0.61%	0.67%	0.83%	0.59%	0.88%	0.95%	0.90%	0.67%	1.70%	1.41%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FSDAX and PPA in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, FSDAX and PPA 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, FSDAX or PPA?

FSDAX has higher volatility (7.33%) compared to PPA (6.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSDAX dropped -60.59% vs PPA's -57.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PPA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.96 vs 0.94), 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.