FSTA vs SPY
Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, FSTA or SPY?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
FSTA has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SPY is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 64.5%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | FSTA | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.08%Best | 0.09% |
| AUM | $1.4B | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.17% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 98 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +6.70% | +12.09%Best |
| 1Y Return | +4.51% | +16.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.83% | +21.20%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.43% | +13.37%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.4%Best | 14.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -25.7%Best | -34.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,656 | $18,728Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 64.5% | 37.8%Best |
| Fund Family | Fidelity Investments (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 21, 2013 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 24, 2013 to Sep 18, 2026 (12.9 years).
FSTA vs SPY growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 12.9 years both funds cover.
FSTA vs SPY Performance
Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF (FSTA) is an ETF from Fidelity Investments (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year FSTA returned +4.51% while SPY returned +16.29%. Year to date, FSTA is up 6.70% versus a gain of 12.09% for SPY.
Over three years, FSTA compounded at +7.83% per year against +21.20% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +6.43% and +13.37% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +12.71% annualized vs +6.78%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% compared with 12.4% for FSTA. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -25.7% for FSTA and -34.1% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FSTA charges 0.08% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $8 vs $9 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FSTA currently yields 2.17% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
85.0% of FSTA's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 4.5% of SPY's money is in holdings FSTA also owns.
Most of FSTA is already inside SPY. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
32 positions in common, counted across the 90 positions we hold weights for in FSTA and 504 in SPY, against full books of 98 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 465 positions for SPY that do not appear in our book for FSTA (94.9% of the fund), and 56 for FSTA that do not appear in SPY (12.8%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FSTA | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 13.34% | 0.71% | 12.63% |
| COSTCostco Wholesale Corp. | 11.99% | 0.63% | 11.36% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 9.62% | 0.52% | 9.10% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 9.42% | 0.52% | 8.90% |
| PMPhilip Morris International Inc. | 4.52% | 0.44% | 4.08% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 4.52% | 0.29% | 4.23% |
| MOAltria Group Inc | 3.74% | 0.18% | 3.56% |
| MDLZMondelez International Inc Com A Npv | 2.65% | 0.12% | 2.53% |
| TGTTarget Corp Common Stock Usd.0833 | 2.45% | 0.11% | 2.34% |
| CLColgate-Palmolive Co. | 2.29% | 0.11% | 2.18% |
85.0% of FSTA is already inside SPY.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FSTA or SPY?
FSTA has an expense ratio of 0.08% while SPY charges 0.09%. FSTA is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FSTA or SPY?
Over the past year FSTA returned +4.51% vs +16.29% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), FSTA annualized +6.78% vs +12.71% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FSTA or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 12.4% for FSTA. Worst drawdown: FSTA -25.7% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both FSTA and SPY?
FSTA and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between FSTA and SPY?
85.0% of FSTA's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 4.5% of SPY's is in holdings FSTA also owns. They hold 32 positions in common, counted across the 90 positions we hold weights for in FSTA and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, FSTA or SPY?
FSTA yields 2.17% while SPY yields 0.98%, so FSTA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than FSTA?
FSTA has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SPY is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 64.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.