VOO vs. FDFAX

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) and FDFAX (Fidelity Select Consumer Staples Portfolio) are both funds - VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while FDFAX is a Consumer Staples Equities fund managed by Fidelity. Over the past 10 years, VOO returned 15.50%/yr vs 6.39%/yr for FDFAX. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VOO charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.73%/yr for FDFAX.

Performance

VOO vs. FDFAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) and Fidelity Select Consumer Staples Portfolio (FDFAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VOO achieves a 9.08% return, which is significantly lower than FDFAX's 11.98% return. Over the past 10 years, VOO has outperformed FDFAX with an annualized return of 15.50%, while FDFAX has yielded a comparatively lower 6.39% annualized return.

VOO

• 1D: 0.55%
• 1M: -0.07%
• YTD: 9.08%
• 6M: 9.44%
• 1Y: 24.36%
• 3Y*: 20.95%
• 5Y*: 13.43%
• 10Y*: 15.50%

FDFAX

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 1.95%
• YTD: 11.98%
• 6M: 9.68%
• 1Y: 10.67%
• 3Y*: 5.96%
• 5Y*: 4.85%
• 10Y*: 6.39%

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

VOO vs. FDFAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	9.08%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-18.17%	28.79%	18.32%	31.37%	-4.50%	21.77%
FDFAX Fidelity Select Consumer Staples Portfolio	11.98%	-1.31%	5.58%	3.02%	-0.44%	14.43%	11.60%	31.79%	-15.91%	12.15%

Correlation

The correlation between VOO and FDFAX is 0.11, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.11
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2010	0.65

Over the past year, the correlation between VOO and FDFAX has dropped to 0.11 - well below their long-term average of 0.65, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

VOO vs. FDFAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VOO	FDFAX
Technology	35.7%	-
Financial Services	11.6%	-
Communication Services	11.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	0.8%
Healthcare	8.5%	-
Industrials	8.3%	2.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	96.8%
Energy	3.5%	-
Utilities	2.4%	-
Real Estate	1.9%	-
Basic Materials	1.8%	-

Return for Risk

VOO vs. FDFAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 70
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 71
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 76

FDFAX

FDFAX Risk / Return Rank: 15
FDFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
FDFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
FDFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 14
FDFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
FDFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 11

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.

VOO vs. FDFAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) and Fidelity Select Consumer Staples Portfolio (FDFAX). 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.

	VOO	FDFAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.99	0.83	+1.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.70	1.27	+1.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.15	+0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.75	1.23	+1.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.42	2.28	+10.15

VOO vs. FDFAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VOO Sharpe Ratio is 1.99, which is higher than the FDFAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VOO and FDFAX, 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

VOO vs. FDFAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VOO drawdown since its inception was -33.99%, smaller than the maximum FDFAX drawdown of -38.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOO and FDFAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VOO	FDFAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.99%	-38.29%	+4.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.90%	-9.18%	+0.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.69%	-13.03%	-5.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.52%	-15.63%	-8.89%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.99%	-27.66%	-6.33%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.34%	-2.83%	+0.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.68%	-5.04%	+1.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	4.96%	-2.99%

Volatility

VOO vs. FDFAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) has a higher volatility of 4.34% compared to Fidelity Select Consumer Staples Portfolio (FDFAX) at 4.12%. This indicates that VOO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FDFAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VOO	FDFAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.34%	4.12%	+0.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.58%	9.78%	-0.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.27%	13.60%	-1.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.88%	13.83%	+3.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.03%	14.95%	+3.08%

VOO vs. FDFAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VOO has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than FDFAX's 0.73% expense ratio.

Dividends

VOO vs. FDFAX - Dividend Comparison

VOO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.05%, less than FDFAX's 2.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDFAX Fidelity Select Consumer Staples Portfolio	2.83%	6.45%	8.49%	5.13%	3.34%	10.73%	3.16%	2.78%	14.36%	8.82%	4.71%	9.06%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.05%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VOO and FDFAX in my portfolio?

VOO and FDFAX have a correlation of 0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VOO or FDFAX?

VOO has higher volatility (4.34%) compared to FDFAX (4.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOO dropped -33.99% vs FDFAX's -38.29%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 0.83), 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.