FSELX vs. SMH
FSELX (Fidelity Select Semiconductors Portfolio) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both Semiconductors funds. Over the past 10 years, FSELX returned 39.28%/yr vs 37.49%/yr for SMH. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. FSELX charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.
Performance
FSELX vs. SMH - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FSELX achieves a 86.42% return, which is significantly higher than SMH's 74.25% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FSELX having a 39.28% annualized return and SMH not far behind at 37.49%.
FSELX
- 1D
- 0.46%
- 1M
- 23.91%
- YTD
- 86.42%
- 6M
- 84.56%
- 1Y
- 162.37%
- 3Y*
- 69.11%
- 5Y*
- 46.37%
- 10Y*
- 39.28%
SMH
- 1D
- -1.63%
- 1M
- 20.06%
- YTD
- 74.25%
- 6M
- 74.08%
- 1Y
- 150.04%
- 3Y*
- 63.96%
- 5Y*
- 38.76%
- 10Y*
- 37.49%
FSELX vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FSELX Fidelity Select Semiconductors Portfolio | 86.42% | 52.17% | 49.68% | 78.49% | -35.27% | 59.16% | 44.33% | 64.50% | -12.01% | 34.51% |
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF | 74.25% | 49.17% | 39.10% | 73.38% | -33.53% | 42.13% | 55.53% | 64.45% | -9.05% | 38.48% |
Correlation
The correlation between FSELX and SMH is 0.96 - 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 | 0.96 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.98 |
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 Jun 6, 2000 | 0.96 |
The correlation between FSELX and SMH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
FSELX vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank
FSELX
SMH
FSELX vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Select Semiconductors Portfolio (FSELX) and VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH). 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.
| FSELX | SMH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.23 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.06 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.69 | 1.69 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 11.73 | 10.11 | +1.62 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 45.05 | 38.76 | +6.28 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| FSELX | SMH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 5.17 | 4.94 | +0.23 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 1.20 | 1.11 | +0.08 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 1.12 | 1.15 | -0.03 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.55 | 0.34 | +0.21 |
Drawdowns
FSELX vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FSELX drawdown since its inception was -82.54%, roughly equal to the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSELX and SMH.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FSELX | SMH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -82.54% | -84.96% | +2.42% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.38% | -14.93% | +0.55% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -36.31% | -35.74% | -0.57% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -46.37% | -45.30% | -1.07% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -46.37% | -45.30% | -1.07% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -1.63% | +1.63% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -28.70% | -41.08% | +12.38% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.74% | 3.89% | -0.15% |
Volatility
FSELX vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison
Fidelity Select Semiconductors Portfolio (FSELX) and VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) have volatilities of 11.98% and 11.58%, 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
| FSELX | SMH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 11.98% | 11.58% | +0.40% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 25.42% | 24.35% | +1.07% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 32.72% | 30.57% | +2.15% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 38.96% | 35.01% | +3.95% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 35.06% | 32.57% | +2.49% |
FSELX vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison
FSELX has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.
Dividends
FSELX vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison
FSELX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.79%, more than SMH's 0.18% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FSELX Fidelity Select Semiconductors Portfolio | 8.79% | 11.11% | 7.97% | 7.20% | 6.69% | 6.99% | 8.13% | 3.36% | 26.80% | 14.44% | 3.82% | 15.22% |
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF | 0.18% | 0.31% | 0.44% | 0.60% | 1.18% | 0.51% | 0.69% | 1.50% | 1.88% | 1.43% | 0.80% | 2.14% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.96, FSELX and SMH 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.
FSELX has higher volatility (11.98%) compared to SMH (11.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSELX dropped -82.54% vs SMH's -84.96%.
FSELX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.17 vs 4.94), 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.
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