FSTCX vs. VFFVX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FSTCX (Fidelity Select Telecommunications Portfolio) and VFFVX (Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund) are both mutual funds - FSTCX is a Communications Equities fund managed by Fidelity, while VFFVX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, FSTCX returned 8.13%/yr vs 11.96%/yr for VFFVX. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FSTCX charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VFFVX.

Performance

FSTCX vs. VFFVX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Select Telecommunications Portfolio (FSTCX) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund (VFFVX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FSTCX achieves a 24.05% return, which is significantly higher than VFFVX's 12.17% return. Over the past 10 years, FSTCX has underperformed VFFVX with an annualized return of 8.13%, while VFFVX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.96% annualized return.

FSTCX

• 1D: 1.27%
• 1M: 6.16%
• YTD: 24.05%
• 6M: 23.79%
• 1Y: 31.22%
• 3Y*: 24.53%
• 5Y*: 6.30%
• 10Y*: 8.13%

VFFVX

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: 5.19%
• YTD: 12.17%
• 6M: 13.09%
• 1Y: 28.26%
• 3Y*: 19.73%
• 5Y*: 10.39%
• 10Y*: 11.96%

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

FSTCX vs. VFFVX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FSTCX Fidelity Select Telecommunications Portfolio	24.05%	11.63%	21.18%	7.29%	-16.99%	-2.69%	20.63%	20.43%	-8.03%	1.44%
VFFVX Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund	12.17%	21.44%	14.50%	20.39%	-17.48%	16.44%	16.33%	24.98%	-7.88%	21.39%

Correlation

The correlation between FSTCX and VFFVX is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.44
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 19, 2010	0.68

Over the past year, the correlation between FSTCX and VFFVX has dropped to 0.45 - well below their long-term average of 0.68, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

FSTCX vs. VFFVX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FSTCX

FSTCX Risk / Return Rank: 53
FSTCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
FSTCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
FSTCX Omega Ratio Rank: 36
FSTCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
FSTCX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

VFFVX

VFFVX Risk / Return Rank: 71
VFFVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VFFVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VFFVX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VFFVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
VFFVX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

FSTCX vs. VFFVX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Select Telecommunications Portfolio (FSTCX) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund (VFFVX). 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.

	FSTCX	VFFVX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.94	2.51	-0.57
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.78	3.46	-0.68
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.46	-0.14
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.89	3.21	+0.69
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.43	14.23	-2.79
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FSTCX vs. VFFVX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FSTCX Sharpe Ratio is 1.94, which is comparable to the VFFVX Sharpe Ratio of 2.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FSTCX and VFFVX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FSTCX	VFFVX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.94	2.51	-0.57
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36	0.74	-0.38
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	0.80	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.77	-0.30

Drawdowns

FSTCX vs. VFFVX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FSTCX drawdown since its inception was -82.81%, which is greater than VFFVX's maximum drawdown of -31.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSTCX and VFFVX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FSTCX	VFFVX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-82.81%	-31.40%	-51.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.24%	-8.93%	+0.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.00%	-14.52%	+3.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.14%	-25.39%	-7.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.08%	-31.40%	-2.68%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.97%	0.00%	-0.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-24.64%	-4.14%	-20.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.80%	2.01%	+0.79%

Volatility

FSTCX vs. VFFVX - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Select Telecommunications Portfolio (FSTCX) has a higher volatility of 5.29% compared to Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund (VFFVX) at 3.37%. This indicates that FSTCX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFFVX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FSTCX	VFFVX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.29%	3.37%	+1.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.09%	9.08%	+4.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.50%	11.42%	+5.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.70%	14.18%	+3.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.99%	15.10%	+2.89%

FSTCX vs. VFFVX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FSTCX has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than VFFVX's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

FSTCX vs. VFFVX - Dividend Comparison

FSTCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.36%, more than VFFVX's 1.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FSTCX Fidelity Select Telecommunications Portfolio	2.36%	2.57%	2.19%	3.72%	8.13%	15.37%	8.11%	3.33%	3.23%	19.90%	6.40%	1.99%
VFFVX Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund	1.85%	2.08%	2.31%	2.18%	2.19%	10.03%	1.82%	2.15%	2.35%	1.83%	1.99%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FSTCX and VFFVX in my portfolio?

FSTCX and VFFVX have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FSTCX or VFFVX?

FSTCX has higher volatility (5.29%) compared to VFFVX (3.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSTCX dropped -82.81% vs VFFVX's -31.40%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFFVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 1.94), 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.