What does 'index tracking' mean for these ETFs?

Index tracking means the fund aims to match the performance of a specific market benchmark. VOO seeks to replicate the S&P 500, comprising 500 large US companies across various sectors. FSTA targets consumer staple firms, focusing on defensive sectors like household products and staples. The exact index methodologies for both funds are currently listed as 'not available' in the provided data, which limits precise understanding of the selection criteria used by each fund to determine its holdings.

Why is fund size relevant when comparing ETFs?

Net assets under management indicate the total value of all the securities held by the fund. A larger asset base, like VOO's $1.08 trillion, can enhance liquidity and make buying and selling shares easier. FSTA has $1.4 billion in net assets, making it reasonably sized but significantly smaller. While size influences trading efficiency, it does not directly dictate performance. Investors typically review size to assess potential trading ease and the fund's established presence in the market relative to its category.

How do the expense ratios of FSTA and VOO compare?

The expense ratio represents the annual operating fee paid from fund assets. VOO charges 0.03%, which is an ultra-low cost for a broad market fund. FSTA charges 0.08%, which is higher but still cost-effective for a specialised sector fund. The difference is 0.05 percentage points. Over a decade, this small percentage difference accumulates slightly more for FSTA due to the higher fee. These fees are deducted automatically from fund assets, impacting the net return investors receive compared to the gross market performance.

Are there any shared top 10 holdings between the two funds?

Based on the provided data, there are none among the listed top holdings shared by FSTA and VOO. FSTA's top weights include consumer-oriented firms like Walmart and Costco, while VOO's list is heavily influenced by large-cap technology companies such as Nvidia and Apple. This complete absence of overlap in their top ten positions illustrates that the two ETFs provide access to fundamentally different areas of the stock market. One focuses on defensive consumer staples, while the other tracks the broader US economy.

How do their dividend yields differ?

FSTA provides a dividend yield of 2.27%, whereas VOO offers 1.03%. This higher yield in FSTA is typical of consumer staple companies, which often pay regular dividends as part of their business model and appeal to income-oriented portfolios. VOO's yield is relatively modest due to the inclusion of growth-oriented technology firms that may retain earnings for reinvestment rather than distributing them. These figures represent recent distributions and should not be assumed to remain constant, as dividends can fluctuate with corporate performance and policy.

Which fund is better for income-focused investing?

This response is for educational purposes and does not constitute financial advice. FSTA features a dividend yield of 2.27% and focuses on defensive sectors like household goods and food products, often associated with stability and income. VOO has a yield of 1.03% and prioritises broad market capital appreciation. Different investors prioritise either growth or income, depending on their risk tolerance and financial objectives. Assessing whether a yield is sufficient requires reviewing one's own financial needs alongside broader market conditions and tax implications.

What are the key differences in their sector exposure?

FSTA is dedicated to the consumer staples sector, targeting non-discretionary businesses that typically remain resilient during various economic cycles. Its holdings are concentrated in this category, though its top 10 holdings represent a significant portion of the portfolio. VOO provides broad exposure across the entire S&P 500, including a heavy weighting toward technology and various growth sectors. The sector weights for both are currently 'not available', yet the top holdings show that one is sector-specific while the other is diversified across industries.

How does the inception date affect the comparison?

VOO has been trading since September 2010, providing over 15 years of track record in large-cap US equities. FSTA launched in October 2013, offering over a decade of track record in the consumer staples market. A longer history allows for performance analysis across more market cycles, but it does not guarantee future results. Both have been available long enough for investors to evaluate historical volatility and how they have tracked their respective benchmarks over time, despite the methodology details being unavailable.

What concentration risks exist in these ETFs?

Concentration risk refers to how much the performance of a fund depends on a few stocks. For FSTA, the largest holding is weighted at 13.85%, a notable portion for a single company. For VOO, the top 10 holdings include a significant technology tilt, with two stocks weighted above 7%. Both funds have top 10 lists that represent a significant portion of their overall value. Concentration may lead to higher sensitivity to individual company performance compared to funds with a wider distribution of assets.

How do investors receive distributions from ETFs?

ETFs like FSTA and VOO typically distribute income—dividends or interest—from their underlying holdings to shareholders. This process is often handled periodically and may be received as cash or automatically reinvested into more shares depending on the investor's account settings. The dividend yields shown are 2.27% for FSTA and 1.03% for VOO. These figures help estimate the income portion of the total return. Unlike mutual funds, the mechanics for ETFs allow shares to be traded throughout the day on an exchange.

Should the difference in net assets change how an investor trades?

Net assets affect liquidity and bid-ask spreads. With $1.08 trillion in net assets, VOO is highly liquid, meaning there are usually many buyers and sellers. FSTA, at $1.4 billion, has lower liquidity than the broad market giant. While a $1.4 billion fund is reasonably sized, investors often need to check real-time bid-ask spreads for smaller funds. This is a technical element that impacts execution costs. Investors should evaluate these practical trading characteristics before entering or exiting positions at any given market moment.

Is there a disclaimer regarding this comparison?

This page contains general educational information about ETF features and does not constitute personalised financial advice, a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any specific security. The figures presented rely on public data which is subject to change, and past performance does not indicate future results. Readers should consider their individual financial situation and consult a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.

FSTA vs VOO

Two funds, one decision: we compare cost, performance and what each ETF actually holds in September 2026.

Compare Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples ETF and S&P 500 Vanguard ETF. This page examines fees, holdings, dividends, and how each fund tracks its market to help you understand their differences. Educational content, not financial advice.

Compare Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples ETF and S&P 500 Vanguard ETF. This page examines fees, holdings, dividends, and how each fund tracks its market to help you understand their differences. Educati...

Fund Snapshot

Key Fund Metrics

FSTA

Metric

VOO

0.08%

Expense Ratio

0.03%

2.27%

Dividend Yield

1.03%

$1.41B

Net Assets

$1.08T

99

Holdings

516

Oct 21, 2013

Inception Date

Sep 7, 2010

–

Index Tracked

–

Consumer Defensive

Fund Category

Large Blend

VOO costs about $5.00 less per year for every $10,000 invested.

Shared Top Holdings

These funds do not share any of their top holdings.

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Investment Analysis

FSTA

Pros

The low 0.08% expense ratio and $1.4 billion net assets indicate a cost-effective and reasonably sized consumer staples fund.
Since its October 2013 inception, it has provided over a decade of track record in the consumer staples market.
A 2.27% dividend yield offers a modest income stream alongside its focus on defensive consumer staple companies.

Considerations

Its top 10 holdings represent a significant portion of the portfolio, with the largest single stock weighted at 13.85%.
The fund is dedicated to the consumer staples sector, which limits broader market diversification and exposure to growth sectors.
The specific index methodology tracked by the fund is not available, which may obscure the exact benchmark and criteria.

VOO

Pros

The ultra-low 0.03% expense ratio on an ETF with $1.08 trillion in net assets is highly cost-effective.
It has been trading since September 2010, providing over 15 years of track record in large-cap US equities.
It offers broad exposure to 500 large US companies, providing significant diversification across many sectors and industries.

Considerations

A 1.03% dividend yield is relatively modest, which may be less appealing to income-focused investors.
The top 10 holdings include a significant technology tilt, with two stocks weighted above 7% and several above 2%.
The specific index methodology tracked by the fund is not available, which may hinder precise performance comparisons.

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