FSTA vs. XLF

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF (FSTA) and Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF).

FSTA and XLF are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. FSTA is a passively managed fund by Fidelity that tracks the performance of the MSCI USA IMI Consumer Staples Index. It was launched on Oct 21, 2013. XLF is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the Financial Select Sector Index. It was launched on Dec 16, 1998. Both FSTA and XLF are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

FSTA vs. XLF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF (FSTA) and Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

FSTA vs. XLF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FSTA Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF	6.98%	1.82%	13.31%	2.29%	-1.72%	17.44%	10.96%	26.84%	-8.49%	12.71%
XLF Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund	-9.40%	14.90%	30.56%	12.03%	-10.59%	34.80%	-1.74%	31.88%	-13.06%	22.00%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FSTA achieves a 6.98% return, which is significantly higher than XLF's -9.40% return. Over the past 10 years, FSTA has underperformed XLF with an annualized return of 7.69%, while XLF has yielded a comparatively higher 12.44% annualized return.

FSTA

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: -7.53%
• YTD: 6.98%
• 6M: 6.22%
• 1Y: 4.72%
• 3Y*: 7.59%
• 5Y*: 7.27%
• 10Y*: 7.69%

XLF

• 1D: 2.09%
• 1M: -3.51%
• YTD: -9.40%
• 6M: -7.56%
• 1Y: 0.65%
• 3Y*: 17.25%
• 5Y*: 9.34%
• 10Y*: 12.44%

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

FSTA vs. XLF - Expense Ratio Comparison

FSTA has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than XLF's 0.13% 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%.

XLF

Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund

FSTA

Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF

Return for Risk

FSTA vs. XLF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

FSTA

FSTA Risk / Return Rank: 25
FSTA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
FSTA Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
FSTA Omega Ratio Rank: 21
FSTA Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
FSTA Martin Ratio Rank: 25

XLF

XLF Risk / Return Rank: 14
XLF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
XLF Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
XLF Omega Ratio Rank: 13
XLF Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
XLF Martin Ratio Rank: 15

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

FSTA vs. XLF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF (FSTA) and Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF). 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.

	FSTA	XLF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.35	0.03	+0.31
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.60	0.18	+0.42
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.02	+0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.68	0.13	+0.55
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.67	0.38	+1.28
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FSTA vs. XLF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FSTA Sharpe Ratio is 0.35, which is higher than the XLF Sharpe Ratio of 0.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FSTA and XLF, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FSTA	XLF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.35	0.03	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	0.50	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	0.56	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.63	0.20	+0.43

Correlation

The correlation between FSTA and XLF is 0.50, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

FSTA vs. XLF - Dividend Comparison

FSTA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.22%, more than XLF's 1.60% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FSTA Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF	2.22%	2.34%	2.25%	2.66%	2.26%	2.15%	2.47%	2.46%	3.01%	2.42%	2.53%	2.86%
XLF Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund	1.60%	1.31%	1.42%	1.71%	2.04%	1.63%	2.03%	1.87%	2.08%	1.48%	21.10%	1.95%

Drawdowns

FSTA vs. XLF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FSTA drawdown since its inception was -25.13%, smaller than the maximum XLF drawdown of -82.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSTA and XLF.

Drawdown Indicators

	FSTA	XLF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.13%	-82.69%	+57.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.29%	-14.79%	+5.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.58%	-25.81%	+9.23%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.13%	-42.86%	+17.73%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.53%	-12.01%	+4.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.51%	-20.10%	+16.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.77%	4.90%	-1.13%

Volatility

FSTA vs. XLF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF (FSTA) is 3.90%, while Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) has a volatility of 4.75%. This indicates that FSTA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FSTA	XLF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.90%	4.75%	-0.85%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.96%	11.45%	-2.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.69%	19.29%	-5.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.94%	18.69%	-5.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.50%	22.19%	-7.69%