FSTA vs VOO
Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, FSTA or VOO?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VOO is less concentrated, with 37.6% 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 | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.08% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.17% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 98 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +6.70% | +12.37%Best |
| 1Y Return | +4.51% | +16.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.83% | +21.37%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.43% | +13.49%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.4%Best | 14.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -25.7%Best | -34.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,656 | $18,827Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 64.5% | 37.6%Best |
| Fund Family | Fidelity Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 21, 2013 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 24, 2013 to Sep 18, 2026 (12.9 years).
FSTA vs VOO 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 VOO Performance
Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF (FSTA) is an ETF from Fidelity Investments (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FSTA returned +4.51% while VOO returned +16.61%. Year to date, FSTA is up 6.70% versus a gain of 12.37% for VOO.
Over three years, FSTA compounded at +7.83% per year against +21.37% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +6.43% and +13.49% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +12.80% annualized vs +6.78%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOO 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 -34.3% for VOO. 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 VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $8 vs $3 annually, a gap of $5 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FSTA currently yields 2.17% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
83.2% of FSTA's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 4.5% of VOO's money is in holdings FSTA also owns.
Most of FSTA is already inside VOO. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
30 positions in common, counted across the 90 positions we hold weights for in FSTA and 494 in VOO, against full books of 98 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 457 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for FSTA (94.6% of the fund), and 58 for FSTA that do not appear in VOO (14.6%).
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 VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 13.34% | 0.76% | 12.58% |
| COSTCostco Wholesale Corp. | 11.99% | 0.66% | 11.33% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 9.62% | 0.53% | 9.09% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 9.42% | 0.52% | 8.90% |
| PMPhilip Morris International Inc. | 4.52% | 0.46% | 4.06% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 4.52% | 0.30% | 4.22% |
| 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% | 0.10% | 2.35% |
| CLColgate-Palmolive Co. | 2.29% | 0.11% | 2.18% |
83.2% of FSTA is already inside VOO.
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 VOO?
FSTA has an expense ratio of 0.08% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FSTA or VOO?
Over the past year FSTA returned +4.51% vs +16.61% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), FSTA annualized +6.78% vs +12.80% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FSTA or VOO?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 12.4% for FSTA. Worst drawdown: FSTA -25.7% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both FSTA and VOO?
FSTA and VOO 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 VOO?
83.2% of FSTA's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 4.5% of VOO's is in holdings FSTA also owns. They hold 30 positions in common, counted across the 90 positions we hold weights for in FSTA and 494 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, FSTA or VOO?
FSTA yields 2.17% while VOO yields 1.04%, so FSTA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than FSTA?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VOO is less concentrated, with 37.6% 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.