RTH vs. FSTA

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

RTH (VanEck Retail ETF) and FSTA (Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RTH is a Consumer Discretionary Equities fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Retail 25 Index, while FSTA is a Consumer Staples Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA IMI Consumer Staples Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RTH returned 14.09%/yr vs 7.71%/yr for FSTA. Their 0.63 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. RTH charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for FSTA.

Performance

RTH vs. FSTA - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RTH achieves a 7.50% return, which is significantly lower than FSTA's 10.31% return. Over the past 10 years, RTH has outperformed FSTA with an annualized return of 14.09%, while FSTA has yielded a comparatively lower 7.71% annualized return.

RTH

• 1D: 2.96%
• 1M: 3.43%
• 6M: 2.95%
• YTD: 7.50%
• 1Y: 13.69%
• 3Y*: 15.58%
• 5Y*: 9.75%
• 10Y*: 14.09%
• ALL TIME*: 9.86%

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%

*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
RTH VanEck Retail ETF	$1.33M	$1.20M	$1.33M

RTH vs. FSTA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RTH VanEck Retail ETF	7.50%	12.36%	20.02%	20.07%	-17.67%	24.94%	31.62%	29.06%	3.87%	22.45%
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%

Correlation

The correlation between RTH and FSTA is 0.57, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.59
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.62
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 24, 2013	0.63

The correlation between RTH and FSTA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.57 to 0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.

RTH vs. FSTA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RTH	FSTA
Consumer Cyclical	53.8%	1.2%
Consumer Defensive	28.2%	96.6%
Healthcare	15.0%	0.0%
Industrials	3.0%	0.3%
Basic Materials	-	0.4%
Communication Services	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	0.4%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

RTH vs. FSTA — Risk / Return Rank

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

RTH

RTH Risk / Return Rank: 39
RTH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
RTH Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
RTH Omega Ratio Rank: 35
RTH Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
RTH Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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

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.

RTH vs. FSTA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) and Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF (FSTA). 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.

	RTH	FSTA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.93	0.64	+0.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.46	1.03	+0.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.12	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.57	0.95	+0.62
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.34	1.77	+2.57

RTH vs. FSTA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RTH Sharpe Ratio is 0.93, which is higher than the FSTA Sharpe Ratio of 0.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RTH and FSTA, 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

RTH vs. FSTA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RTH drawdown since its inception was -42.32%, which is greater than FSTA's maximum drawdown of -25.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RTH and FSTA.

Drawdown Indicators

	RTH	FSTA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.32%	-25.13%	-17.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.83%	-9.29%	+1.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.80%	-11.08%	-2.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.00%	-16.58%	-8.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.00%	-25.13%	+0.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.65%	-4.64%	+3.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.32%	-3.58%	-3.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.83%	4.99%	-2.16%

Volatility

RTH vs. FSTA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) is 5.18%, while Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF (FSTA) has a volatility of 5.93%. This indicates that RTH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FSTA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RTH	FSTA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.18%	5.93%	-0.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.54%	11.45%	-0.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.28%	13.81%	-0.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.96%	13.41%	+3.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.62%	14.68%	+2.94%

RTH vs. FSTA - Expense Ratio Comparison

RTH has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than FSTA's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

RTH vs. FSTA - Dividend Comparison

RTH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.90%, less than FSTA's 2.17% 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%
RTH VanEck Retail ETF	0.90%	0.97%	0.77%	1.07%	1.16%	0.78%	0.64%	0.91%	1.05%	1.56%	1.84%	2.25%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RTH and FSTA in my portfolio?

RTH and FSTA have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RTH or FSTA?

FSTA has higher volatility (5.93%) compared to RTH (5.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RTH dropped -42.32% vs FSTA's -25.13%.

Which ETF is better, RTH or FSTA?

On 10-year performance, RTH leads with 14.09% vs 7.71% for FSTA. On fees, FSTA is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, RTH has been the lower-risk option at 5.18%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RTH or FSTA?

Over the 10-year period, RTH has performed better with a 14.09% return vs 7.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RTH or FSTA?

FSTA is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for RTH.

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

FSTA has the higher dividend yield at 2.17%, compared with 0.90% for RTH.

What is the main difference between RTH and FSTA?

RTH is categorized as Consumer Discretionary Equities, while FSTA is Consumer Staples Equities. RTH tracks MVIS US Listed Retail 25 Index, while FSTA tracks MSCI USA IMI Consumer Staples Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Fidelity. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for RTH and 0.08% for FSTA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RTH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.93 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.