FSTA vs. SPY

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

FSTA (Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FSTA is a Consumer Staples Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA IMI Consumer Staples Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FSTA returned 7.71%/yr vs 15.07%/yr for SPY. Their 0.57 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. FSTA charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

FSTA vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF (FSTA) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with FSTA having a 10.31% return and SPY slightly lower at 10.13%. Over the past 10 years, FSTA has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 7.71%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.07% annualized return.

FSTA

• 1D: -0.46%
• 1M: -0.07%
• 6M: 2.66%
• YTD: 10.31%
• 1Y: 8.39%
• 3Y*: 7.67%
• 5Y*: 6.88%
• 10Y*: 7.71%
• ALL TIME*: 8.56%

SPY

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: 0.30%
• 6M: 8.53%
• YTD: 10.13%
• 1Y: 21.49%
• 3Y*: 19.32%
• 5Y*: 12.76%
• 10Y*: 15.07%
• ALL TIME*: 10.79%

*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)
FSTA Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF	$6.81M	$6.37M	$6.76M
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	$37.27B	$35.99B	$39.23B

FSTA vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FSTA Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF	10.31%	1.82%	13.31%	2.29%	-1.72%	17.44%	10.96%	26.84%	-8.49%	12.71%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.13%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between FSTA and SPY is -0.09, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.09
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.24
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.43
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 24, 2013	0.57

The correlation between FSTA and SPY shifts across timeframes, from -0.09 (1 year) to 0.57 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FSTA vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FSTA	SPY
Consumer Defensive	96.6%	4.8%
Consumer Cyclical	1.2%	8.9%
Basic Materials	0.4%	1.9%
Technology	0.4%	36.9%
Industrials	0.3%	7.6%
Healthcare	0.0%	9.4%
Communication Services	-	9.7%
Energy	-	3.4%
Financial Services	-	12.5%
Real Estate	-	2.0%
Utilities	-	2.6%

Return for Risk

FSTA vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

FSTA

FSTA Risk / Return Rank: 27
FSTA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
FSTA Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
FSTA Omega Ratio Rank: 25
FSTA Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
FSTA Martin Ratio Rank: 24

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 67
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 65
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

FSTA vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF (FSTA) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.64	1.52	-0.88
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.03	2.11	-1.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.27	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.95	2.20	-1.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.77	9.40	-7.63

FSTA vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FSTA Sharpe Ratio is 0.64, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FSTA and SPY, 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

FSTA vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FSTA drawdown since its inception was -25.13%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSTA and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	FSTA	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.13%	-55.19%	+30.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.29%	-8.88%	-0.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.13%	-18.76%	+7.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.58%	-24.50%	+7.92%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.13%	-33.72%	+8.59%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.64%	-1.40%	-3.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.58%	-9.01%	+5.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.99%	2.08%	+2.91%

Volatility

FSTA vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF (FSTA) has a higher volatility of 5.93% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 3.58%. This indicates that FSTA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FSTA	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.93%	3.58%	+2.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.45%	10.14%	+1.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.81%	12.89%	+0.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.41%	17.18%	-3.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.68%	17.95%	-3.27%

FSTA vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

FSTA has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio. Despite the difference, 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. SPY - Dividend Comparison

FSTA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.17%, more than SPY's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FSTA Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF	2.17%	2.34%	2.25%	2.66%	2.26%	2.15%	2.47%	2.46%	3.01%	2.42%	2.53%	2.86%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.01%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FSTA and SPY in my portfolio?

FSTA and SPY have a correlation of -0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FSTA or SPY?

FSTA has higher volatility (5.93%) compared to SPY (3.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSTA dropped -25.13% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, FSTA or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.07% vs 7.71% for FSTA. On fees, FSTA is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 3.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FSTA or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.07% return vs 7.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FSTA or SPY?

FSTA is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.09% for SPY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FSTA or SPY?

FSTA has the higher dividend yield at 2.17%, compared with 1.01% for SPY.

What is the main difference between FSTA and SPY?

FSTA is categorized as Consumer Staples Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. FSTA tracks MSCI USA IMI Consumer Staples Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Fidelity and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for FSTA and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.52 vs 0.64), 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.