VOT vs. FSELX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VOT (Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF) and FSELX (Fidelity Select Semiconductors Portfolio) are both funds - VOT is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Mid Cap Growth Index, while FSELX is a Semiconductors fund managed by Fidelity. Over the past 10 years, VOT returned 11.95%/yr vs 37.56%/yr for FSELX. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VOT charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for FSELX.

Performance

VOT vs. FSELX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) and Fidelity Select Semiconductors Portfolio (FSELX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VOT achieves a 5.49% return, which is significantly lower than FSELX's 66.12% return. Over the past 10 years, VOT has underperformed FSELX with an annualized return of 11.95%, while FSELX has yielded a comparatively higher 37.56% annualized return.

VOT

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 1.80%
• YTD: 5.49%
• 6M: 3.73%
• 1Y: 7.75%
• 3Y*: 15.09%
• 5Y*: 6.19%
• 10Y*: 11.95%

FSELX

• 1D: -9.27%
• 1M: 5.76%
• YTD: 66.12%
• 6M: 60.36%
• 1Y: 135.04%
• 3Y*: 63.14%
• 5Y*: 43.03%
• 10Y*: 37.56%

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

VOT vs. FSELX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VOT Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF	5.49%	10.72%	16.38%	23.10%	-28.87%	20.50%	34.50%	33.76%	-5.56%	21.80%
FSELX Fidelity Select Semiconductors Portfolio	66.12%	52.17%	49.68%	78.49%	-35.27%	59.16%	44.33%	64.50%	-12.01%	34.51%

Correlation

The correlation between VOT and FSELX is 0.63, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 28, 2006	0.78

The correlation between VOT and FSELX shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (1 year) to 0.78 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VOT vs. FSELX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VOT

VOT Risk / Return Rank: 17
VOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
VOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
VOT Omega Ratio Rank: 16
VOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
VOT Martin Ratio Rank: 16

FSELX

FSELX Risk / Return Rank: 93
FSELX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
FSELX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
FSELX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
FSELX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
FSELX Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

VOT vs. FSELX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) and Fidelity Select Semiconductors Portfolio (FSELX). 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.

	VOT	FSELX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.48	4.00	-3.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.77	4.09	-3.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.57	-0.48
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.49	9.48	-8.99
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.46	35.79	-34.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VOT vs. FSELX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VOT Sharpe Ratio is 0.48, which is lower than the FSELX Sharpe Ratio of 4.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VOT and FSELX, 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

	VOT	FSELX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48	4.00	-3.52
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29	1.10	-0.81
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	1.07	-0.50
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.54	-0.09

Drawdowns

VOT vs. FSELX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VOT drawdown since its inception was -60.16%, smaller than the maximum FSELX drawdown of -82.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOT and FSELX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VOT	FSELX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.16%	-82.54%	+22.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.96%	-14.38%	-1.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.77%	-36.31%	+14.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.19%	-46.37%	+9.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.19%	-46.37%	+9.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.48%	-10.89%	+7.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.96%	-28.69%	+18.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.33%	3.80%	+1.53%

Volatility

VOT vs. FSELX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) is 5.45%, while Fidelity Select Semiconductors Portfolio (FSELX) has a volatility of 15.95%. This indicates that VOT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FSELX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VOT	FSELX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.45%	15.95%	-10.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.85%	27.45%	-14.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.20%	34.06%	-17.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.41%	39.17%	-17.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.02%	35.18%	-14.16%

VOT vs. FSELX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VOT has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than FSELX's 0.68% expense ratio.

Dividends

VOT vs. FSELX - Dividend Comparison

VOT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.63%, less than FSELX's 9.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FSELX Fidelity Select Semiconductors Portfolio	9.86%	11.11%	7.97%	7.20%	6.69%	6.99%	8.13%	3.36%	26.80%	14.44%	3.82%	15.22%
VOT Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF	0.63%	0.64%	0.67%	0.71%	0.78%	0.34%	0.56%	0.78%	0.84%	0.72%	0.81%	0.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VOT and FSELX in my portfolio?

VOT and FSELX have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VOT or FSELX?

FSELX has higher volatility (15.95%) compared to VOT (5.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOT dropped -60.16% vs FSELX's -82.54%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FSELX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.00 vs 0.48), 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.