VHT vs. FSPHX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VHT (Vanguard Health Care ETF) and FSPHX (Fidelity® Select Health Care Portfolio) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds. VHT is passively managed, while FSPHX is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, VHT returned 9.26%/yr vs 8.41%/yr for FSPHX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VHT charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for FSPHX.

Performance

VHT vs. FSPHX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) and Fidelity® Select Health Care Portfolio (FSPHX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VHT achieves a -4.02% return, which is significantly higher than FSPHX's -5.41% return. Over the past 10 years, VHT has outperformed FSPHX with an annualized return of 9.26%, while FSPHX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.41% annualized return.

VHT

• 1D: 0.84%
• 1M: 1.45%
• YTD: -4.02%
• 6M: -4.15%
• 1Y: 14.34%
• 3Y*: 6.14%
• 5Y*: 4.51%
• 10Y*: 9.26%

FSPHX

• 1D: -1.81%
• 1M: -1.00%
• YTD: -5.41%
• 6M: -12.69%
• 1Y: 6.59%
• 3Y*: 3.11%
• 5Y*: 1.14%
• 10Y*: 8.41%

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

VHT vs. FSPHX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF	-4.02%	15.46%	2.66%	2.52%	-5.60%	20.57%	18.29%	21.87%	5.58%	23.26%
FSPHX Fidelity® Select Health Care Portfolio	-5.41%	9.36%	4.91%	4.13%	-12.82%	11.58%	24.57%	31.48%	7.15%	23.83%

Correlation

The correlation between VHT and FSPHX is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	0.92

The correlation between VHT and FSPHX shifts across timeframes, from 0.82 (1 year) to 0.92 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VHT vs. FSPHX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VHT

VHT Risk / Return Rank: 27
VHT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
VHT Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
VHT Omega Ratio Rank: 26
VHT Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
VHT Martin Ratio Rank: 25

FSPHX

FSPHX Risk / Return Rank: 5
FSPHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
FSPHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
FSPHX Omega Ratio Rank: 5
FSPHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
FSPHX Martin Ratio Rank: 4

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.

VHT vs. FSPHX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) and Fidelity® Select Health Care Portfolio (FSPHX). 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.

	VHT	FSPHX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.00	0.40	+0.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.57	0.65	+0.92
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.08	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.38	0.38	+1.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.47	0.85	+2.62
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VHT vs. FSPHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VHT Sharpe Ratio is 1.00, which is higher than the FSPHX Sharpe Ratio of 0.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VHT and FSPHX, 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

	VHT	FSPHX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.00	0.40	+0.61
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.30	0.06	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.44	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.75	-0.19

Drawdowns

VHT vs. FSPHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VHT drawdown since its inception was -39.12%, smaller than the maximum FSPHX drawdown of -44.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VHT and FSPHX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VHT	FSPHX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.12%	-44.45%	+5.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.40%	-18.32%	+7.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.91%	-18.32%	+1.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.71%	-29.31%	+11.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.85%	-29.31%	+0.46%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.05%	-14.46%	+7.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.99%	-9.83%	+3.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.14%	8.20%	-4.06%

Volatility

VHT vs. FSPHX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) is 4.08%, while Fidelity® Select Health Care Portfolio (FSPHX) has a volatility of 5.10%. This indicates that VHT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FSPHX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VHT	FSPHX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.08%	5.10%	-1.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.08%	14.42%	-4.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.34%	17.61%	-3.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.96%	18.32%	-3.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.94%	19.02%	-2.08%

VHT vs. FSPHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VHT has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than FSPHX's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

VHT vs. FSPHX - Dividend Comparison

VHT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.71%, less than FSPHX's 12.88% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FSPHX Fidelity® Select Health Care Portfolio	12.88%	4.16%	10.77%	0.00%	2.13%	9.06%	11.29%	1.35%	9.02%	2.27%	0.18%	11.63%
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF	1.71%	1.61%	1.53%	1.36%	1.33%	1.14%	1.21%	1.89%	1.38%	1.31%	1.45%	1.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VHT and FSPHX in my portfolio?

VHT and FSPHX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VHT or FSPHX?

FSPHX has higher volatility (5.10%) compared to VHT (4.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VHT dropped -39.12% vs FSPHX's -44.45%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VHT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.00 vs 0.40), 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.