FSUTX vs. XLU

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

FSUTX (Fidelity Select Utilities Portfolio) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both Utilities Equities funds. FSUTX is actively managed, while XLU is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FSUTX returned 11.07%/yr vs 8.92%/yr for XLU. Their correlation of 0.86 means they have usually moved in the same direction. FSUTX charges 0.74%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

FSUTX vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Select Utilities Portfolio (FSUTX) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FSUTX achieves a 3.82% return, which is significantly lower than XLU's 5.28% return. Over the past 10 years, FSUTX has outperformed XLU with an annualized return of 11.07%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively lower 8.92% annualized return.

FSUTX

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: -3.36%
• 6M: 2.62%
• YTD: 3.82%
• 1Y: 6.31%
• 3Y*: 15.69%
• 5Y*: 12.66%
• 10Y*: 11.07%
• ALL TIME*: 11.18%

XLU

• 1D: -0.69%
• 1M: -3.08%
• 6M: 3.92%
• YTD: 5.28%
• 1Y: 6.26%
• 3Y*: 13.58%
• 5Y*: 9.34%
• 10Y*: 8.92%
• ALL TIME*: 7.66%

*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)
FSUTX Fidelity Select Utilities Portfolio	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	$827.32M	$819.54M	$911.53M

FSUTX vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FSUTX Fidelity Select Utilities Portfolio	3.82%	16.19%	28.76%	-1.12%	5.20%	17.64%	0.75%	22.68%	8.41%	17.94%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	5.28%	16.03%	23.31%	-7.18%	1.44%	17.70%	0.51%	25.93%	3.94%	12.05%

Correlation

The correlation between FSUTX and XLU is 0.92, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 1998	0.86

The correlation between FSUTX and XLU shifts across timeframes, from 0.86 (all time) to 0.96 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FSUTX vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

FSUTX

FSUTX Risk / Return Rank: 12
FSUTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
FSUTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
FSUTX Omega Ratio Rank: 11
FSUTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
FSUTX Martin Ratio Rank: 12

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 21
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 20
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

FSUTX vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Select Utilities Portfolio (FSUTX) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). 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.

	FSUTX	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.39	0.43	-0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.64	0.69	-0.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.08	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.71	0.70	+0.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.45	1.44	+0.02

FSUTX vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FSUTX Sharpe Ratio is 0.39, which is comparable to the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FSUTX and XLU, 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

FSUTX vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FSUTX drawdown since its inception was -66.73%, which is greater than XLU's maximum drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSUTX and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	FSUTX	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-66.73%	-51.98%	-14.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.21%	-9.18%	-0.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.02%	-13.15%	+0.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.15%	-25.26%	+5.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.61%	-36.07%	-1.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.21%	-5.83%	-1.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.23%	-10.19%	-1.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.48%	4.48%	0.00%

Volatility

FSUTX vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Select Utilities Portfolio (FSUTX) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) have volatilities of 4.61% and 4.59%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	FSUTX	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.61%	4.59%	+0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.86%	12.01%	+0.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.60%	15.00%	+1.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.42%	17.34%	+0.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.43%	19.30%	+0.13%

FSUTX vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

FSUTX has a 0.74% expense ratio, which is higher than XLU's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

FSUTX vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

FSUTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.08%, more than XLU's 2.70% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FSUTX Fidelity Select Utilities Portfolio	5.08%	6.61%	6.50%	3.52%	4.67%	2.68%	4.86%	2.29%	8.37%	5.61%	2.51%	4.47%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.70%	2.71%	2.96%	3.39%	2.92%	2.79%	3.14%	2.95%	3.33%	3.33%	3.41%	3.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FSUTX and XLU in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, FSUTX and XLU 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.

Which is riskier, FSUTX or XLU?

FSUTX has higher volatility (4.61%) compared to XLU (4.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSUTX dropped -66.73% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.43 vs 0.39), 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.