The Motley Fool·2026-02-14 23:19Core Insights - The Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) and the Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF (FSTA) are designed to capture the performance of the U.S. consumer staples sector, focusing on essential goods [1][2] Cost & Size Comparison - VDC has an expense ratio of 0.09% while FSTA has a slightly lower expense ratio of 0.08% - The one-year return for VDC is 8.45% compared to FSTA's 8.16% - VDC offers a dividend yield of 2.10%, while FSTA provides a marginally higher yield of 2.18% - VDC has assets under management (AUM) of $9.1 billion, significantly larger than FSTA's $1.4 billion [3][9] Performance & Risk Comparison - Both ETFs have experienced similar maximum drawdowns over five years, with VDC at -16.56% and FSTA at -16.57% - The growth of $1,000 over five years is nearly identical, with VDC growing to $1,409 and FSTA to $1,406 [4][7] Portfolio Composition - FSTA tracks the MSCI USA IMI Consumer Staples 25/50 Index and holds 96 stocks, with major positions in Costco Wholesale, Walmart, and Procter & Gamble [5] - VDC invests in 105 holdings, also featuring Walmart, Costco Wholesale, and Procter & Gamble among its top stocks [6][7] Investor Implications - VDC and FSTA are nearly identical in performance, volatility, and portfolio composition, with only minor differences in AUM, expense ratios, and dividend yields [7][8]