VTES vs. FSDAX

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

VTES (Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF) and FSDAX (Fidelity Select Defense & Aerospace Portfolio) are both funds - VTES is a Municipal Bonds fund tracking the S&P 0-7 Year National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index, while FSDAX is a Aerospace & Defense fund actively managed by Fidelity. VTES is passively managed, while FSDAX is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, VTES returned 3.18%/yr vs 28.86%/yr for FSDAX. At a 0.08 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VTES charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for FSDAX.

Performance

VTES vs. FSDAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTES) and Fidelity Select Defense & Aerospace Portfolio (FSDAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTES achieves a 0.67% return, which is significantly lower than FSDAX's 10.72% return.

VTES

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 0.67%
• 6M: 0.96%
• 1Y: 3.39%
• 3Y*: 3.18%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FSDAX

• 1D: 5.04%
• 1M: 6.21%
• YTD: 10.72%
• 6M: 14.07%
• 1Y: 31.26%
• 3Y*: 28.86%
• 5Y*: 16.94%
• 10Y*: 15.96%

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

VTES vs. FSDAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
VTES Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	0.67%	4.19%	1.85%	3.32%
FSDAX Fidelity Select Defense & Aerospace Portfolio	10.72%	50.03%	15.83%	12.53%

Correlation

The correlation between VTES and FSDAX is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 9, 2023	0.08

The correlation between VTES and FSDAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.08 (all time) to 0.21 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VTES vs. FSDAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTES

VTES Risk / Return Rank: 75
VTES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
VTES Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
VTES Omega Ratio Rank: 94
VTES Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
VTES Martin Ratio Rank: 46

FSDAX

FSDAX Risk / Return Rank: 36
FSDAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
FSDAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
FSDAX Omega Ratio Rank: 35
FSDAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
FSDAX Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

VTES vs. FSDAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTES) and Fidelity Select Defense & Aerospace Portfolio (FSDAX). 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.

	VTES	FSDAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.70	1.38	+1.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.88	2.06	+1.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.62	1.25	+0.38
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.28	1.89	+0.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.62	5.40	+1.22

VTES vs. FSDAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTES Sharpe Ratio is 2.70, which is higher than the FSDAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTES and FSDAX, 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

VTES vs. FSDAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTES drawdown since its inception was -2.42%, smaller than the maximum FSDAX drawdown of -60.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTES and FSDAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTES	FSDAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.42%	-60.59%	+58.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.47%	-16.13%	+14.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.80%	-16.13%	+14.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-22.48%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-47.08%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.60%	-3.72%	+3.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.50%	-10.45%	+9.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.50%	5.63%	-5.13%

Volatility

VTES vs. FSDAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTES) is 0.35%, while Fidelity Select Defense & Aerospace Portfolio (FSDAX) has a volatility of 9.17%. This indicates that VTES experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FSDAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTES	FSDAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.35%	9.17%	-8.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.98%	19.00%	-18.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.24%	22.00%	-20.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.71%	20.63%	-18.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.71%	22.44%	-20.73%

VTES vs. FSDAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTES has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than FSDAX's 0.63% expense ratio.

Dividends

VTES vs. FSDAX - Dividend Comparison

VTES's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.75%, more than FSDAX's 2.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FSDAX Fidelity Select Defense & Aerospace Portfolio	2.06%	4.48%	7.68%	6.47%	8.87%	8.38%	2.11%	2.62%	11.45%	3.57%	4.87%	6.30%
VTES Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	2.75%	2.77%	2.99%	2.03%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTES and FSDAX in my portfolio?

VTES and FSDAX have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTES or FSDAX?

FSDAX has higher volatility (9.17%) compared to VTES (0.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTES dropped -2.42% vs FSDAX's -60.59%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTES currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.70 vs 1.38), 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.