Consumer Staples Showdown: Is FSTA or RSPS the Better Buy Right Now?

Core Insights - The Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF (FSTA) and the Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Consumer Staples ETF (RSPS) target U.S. consumer staples stocks but employ different strategies leading to distinct outcomes [1] Cost & Size - FSTA has a significantly lower expense ratio of 0.08% compared to RSPS's 0.40%, resulting in annual fees of $8 versus $40 for every $10,000 invested [2][3] - As of February 3, 2026, FSTA has a 1-year return of 8.34%, while RSPS has a return of 7.01% [2] - FSTA has a larger asset under management (AUM) of $1.3 billion compared to RSPS's $232 million [2] Performance & Risk Comparison - Over five years, FSTA has a lower maximum drawdown of -16.57% compared to RSPS's -18.61% [4] - An investment of $1,000 in FSTA would grow to $1,385 over five years, while the same investment in RSPS would grow to $1,067 [4] Holdings Composition - FSTA holds 96 stocks, primarily in consumer defensive sectors (98%), with top positions in Costco Wholesale, Walmart, and Procter & Gamble making up nearly 37% of its assets [5] - RSPS, in contrast, holds 36 stocks with an equal-weight strategy, where each stock constitutes roughly 3% of the portfolio, promoting a more balanced exposure [6] Investment Implications - FSTA's concentration in large brands may benefit investors when these companies perform well, but could pose risks if they underperform [7] - RSPS's equal-weight approach may reduce volatility, as all stocks are treated equally, potentially leading to more stable performance [8] - There is no definitive winner between the two ETFs, as each offers unique advantages that may appeal to different investor preferences [9]