Core Insights - The Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF (FSTA) and Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Consumer Staples ETF (RSPS) differ significantly in cost and portfolio concentration, with RSPS employing an equal-weight strategy and FSTA focusing on larger sector leaders [1][2] Cost & Size Comparison - FSTA has a lower expense ratio of 0.08% compared to RSPS's 0.40%, making it more cost-effective for investors [3][4] - As of February 13, 2026, FSTA has a one-year return of 10.7% while RSPS has a return of 14.9% [3] - FSTA's assets under management (AUM) stand at $1.4 billion, significantly higher than RSPS's $264 million [3] Performance & Risk Comparison - Over five years, FSTA has a max drawdown of 16.6%, which is less severe than RSPS's 18.6% [5] - An investment of $1,000 in FSTA would grow to $1,584 over five years, compared to $1,245 for RSPS [5] Portfolio Composition - FSTA tracks the MSCI USA IMI Consumer Staples Index and holds 97 stocks, with a heavy concentration in large companies like Walmart, Costco, and Procter & Gamble, which together account for over one-third of its assets [6] - RSPS equally weights 38 stocks, reducing concentration risk, with top holdings including Bunge Global SA, Colgate-Palmolive, and Church & Dwight, each around 3% of the portfolio [7] Investment Implications - Both ETFs provide defensive exposure to consumer staples, which are essential goods that consumers purchase regularly, making them attractive during market volatility [8] - FSTA's lower fees can lead to significant savings for investors over the long term, especially when compounded over a decade [9]

Core Insights - The article compares two U.S. consumer staples sector ETFs: Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF (FSTA) and iShares U.S. Consumer Staples ETF (IYK), highlighting their differences in cost, holdings concentration, and sector focus, which may appeal to different investor types [1] Cost & Size Comparison - IYK has an expense ratio of 0.38% while FSTA has a lower expense ratio of 0.08% - As of January 25, 2026, IYK's one-year return is 8.52% compared to FSTA's 7.13% - IYK offers a dividend yield of 2.61%, slightly higher than FSTA's 2.19% [2] Performance & Risk Comparison - Over the past five years, IYK experienced a maximum drawdown of 15.04%, while FSTA had a drawdown of 16.59% - An investment of $1,000 in IYK would have grown to $1,171, whereas the same investment in FSTA would have grown to $1,315 over five years [3] Holdings Composition - FSTA holds 97 stocks, focusing entirely on consumer staple companies, with top positions in Costco, Walmart, and Procter & Gamble, which together account for over 25% of the ETF's weight [4] - IYK is more concentrated with 58 stocks and allocates 10% of its holdings to healthcare, heavily relying on Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola, and Philip Morris International, which are the only stocks exceeding 10% weight [5] Investment Implications - Consumer staples are generally considered defensive assets during economic downturns, providing essential goods that maintain demand [6] - Both FSTA and IYK are designed to have lower risk and volatility compared to other ETFs, making them resilient during recession-like events [7] - FSTA emphasizes large retailers, while IYK focuses more on individual product brands, with IYK's healthcare allocation potentially less appealing to those seeking pure consumer staples [8]