FSTA vs. IUSB
FSTA (Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF) and IUSB (iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FSTA is a Consumer Staples Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA IMI Consumer Staples Index, while IUSB is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FSTA returned 8.01%/yr vs 1.97%/yr for IUSB. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FSTA charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for IUSB.
Performance
FSTA vs. IUSB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FSTA achieves a 10.62% return, which is significantly higher than IUSB's 0.67% return. Over the past 10 years, FSTA has outperformed IUSB with an annualized return of 8.01%, while IUSB has yielded a comparatively lower 1.97% annualized return.
FSTA
- 1D
- 0.69%
- 1M
- 0.50%
- YTD
- 10.62%
- 6M
- 8.66%
- 1Y
- 8.41%
- 3Y*
- 8.97%
- 5Y*
- 7.07%
- 10Y*
- 8.01%
IUSB
- 1D
- -0.07%
- 1M
- 1.10%
- YTD
- 0.67%
- 6M
- 1.05%
- 1Y
- 5.21%
- 3Y*
- 4.70%
- 5Y*
- 0.39%
- 10Y*
- 1.97%
FSTA vs. IUSB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FSTA Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF | 10.62% | 1.82% | 13.31% | 2.29% | -1.72% | 17.44% | 10.96% | 26.84% | -8.49% | 12.71% |
IUSB iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF | 0.67% | 7.38% | 2.11% | 6.23% | -13.04% | -1.33% | 7.62% | 9.13% | -0.27% | 3.82% |
Correlation
The correlation between FSTA and IUSB is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.18 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.23 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.23 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 12, 2014 | 0.13 |
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Return for Risk
FSTA vs. IUSB — Risk / Return Rank
FSTA
IUSB
FSTA vs. IUSB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF (FSTA) and iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB). 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.
| FSTA | IUSB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.78 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.11 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.10 | 1.24 | -0.13 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.78 | 1.92 | -1.14 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.56 | 5.62 | -4.05 |
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Drawdowns
FSTA vs. IUSB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FSTA drawdown since its inception was -25.13%, which is greater than IUSB's maximum drawdown of -17.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSTA and IUSB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FSTA | IUSB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -25.13% | -17.90% | -7.23% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.29% | -2.53% | -6.76% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -11.76% | -5.82% | -5.94% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -16.58% | -17.87% | +1.29% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -25.13% | -17.90% | -7.23% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.38% | -1.09% | -3.29% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.56% | -3.58% | +0.02% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.62% | 0.86% | +3.76% |
Volatility
FSTA vs. IUSB - Volatility Comparison
Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF (FSTA) has a higher volatility of 4.62% compared to iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB) at 1.30%. This indicates that FSTA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IUSB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FSTA | IUSB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.62% | 1.30% | +3.32% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.03% | 2.69% | +7.34% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.58% | 3.59% | +8.99% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.15% | 5.80% | +7.35% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 14.57% | 5.04% | +9.53% |
FSTA vs. IUSB - Expense Ratio Comparison
FSTA has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is higher than IUSB's 0.06% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
FSTA vs. IUSB - Dividend Comparison
FSTA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.15%, less than IUSB's 4.22% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FSTA Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF | 2.15% | 2.34% | 2.25% | 2.66% | 2.26% | 2.15% | 2.47% | 2.46% | 3.01% | 2.42% | 2.53% | 2.86% |
IUSB iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF | 4.22% | 4.17% | 4.04% | 3.46% | 2.53% | 1.74% | 2.68% | 3.04% | 2.98% | 2.56% | 2.60% | 1.95% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FSTA and IUSB have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FSTA has higher volatility (4.62%) compared to IUSB (1.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSTA dropped -25.13% vs IUSB's -17.90%.
On 10-year performance, FSTA leads with 8.01% vs 1.97% for IUSB. On fees, IUSB is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, IUSB has been the lower-risk option at 1.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, FSTA has performed better with a 8.01% return vs 1.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IUSB is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for FSTA.
IUSB has the higher dividend yield at 4.22%, compared with 2.15% for FSTA.
FSTA is categorized as Consumer Staples Equities, while IUSB is Intermediate Core-Plus Bond. FSTA tracks MSCI USA IMI Consumer Staples Index, while IUSB tracks Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index. They also come from different issuers: Fidelity and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for FSTA and 0.06% for IUSB.
IUSB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.35 vs 0.57), 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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