Dividend comparison
VDC vs FSTA: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF and Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
VDC vs FSTA: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. FSTA is cheaper at 0.08% a year versus 0.09% for VDC. On $10,000 that is $1 a year less in fees.
- Income. Their trailing yields are almost the same: 2.05% for VDC and 2.13% for FSTA. VDC pays annual, FSTA pays quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, VDC returned 42.1% versus 40.8% for FSTA, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $14,211 in VDC and $14,077 in FSTA.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -16.5% for VDC and -17.1% for FSTA from peak to trough.
- Diversification. FSTA holds 104 positions and VDC holds 103. The ten largest positions make up 66.0% of VDC and 65.3% of FSTA.
- Overlap. 97% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 90 shared holdings. Owning both adds little diversification.
- Dividend growth. FSTA grew its yearly payout 3.5% a year over the last 4 years, versus 2.8% for VDC.
- Size. VDC is the larger fund with $8.7 billion in assets, against $1.4 billion for FSTA.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | VDC Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF | FSTA Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 2.05% | 2.13% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $4.88 | $1.18 |
| Payout frequency | Annual | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $1.2112 on Sep 25, 2026 | $0.2910 on Sep 22, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 23, 2026 | Sep 18, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 2.8% over 4 yrs | 3.5% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $237.63 | $55.38 |
| Dividend growth streak | — | 2 years |
| Beta | 0.50 | 0.50 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -16.5% | -17.1% |
| Market cap | $8.69B | $1.36B |
| Exchange | AMEX | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.09% | 0.08% |
| Assets under management | $8.70B | $1.36B |
| Number of holdings | 103 | 104 |
| Top 10 concentration | 66.0% | 65.3% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
VDC
$17.12/mo
$205 /yr at 2.05% yield
FSTA
$17.74/mo
$213 /yr at 2.13% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. VDC pays annual; FSTA pays quarterly.
| Year | VDC | FSTA |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4.7704 | $1.1510 |
| 2024 | $4.9293 | $1.2070 |
| 2023 | $5.0536 | $1.0890 |
| 2022 | $4.5381 | $1.0130 |
| 2021 | $4.2784 | $1.0030 |
Strategy: Sector and thematic
Funds that hold a single industry or theme, such as technology, semiconductors, healthcare or energy. Funds covering the same sector can still differ in concentration rules: some cap the largest positions while others let the biggest companies take a quarter of the fund. Sector funds are usually used to tilt a portfolio rather than as its core.
A single sector can fall far further than the broad market and stay down for years, and the largest names often dominate the fund.
Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $14,211 in VDC and $14,077 in FSTA.
| Period | VDC | FSTA |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 6.30% | 6.81% |
| 3 months | 3.17% | 3.24% |
| Year to date | 12.49% | 12.58% |
| 1 year | 9.41% | 9.27% |
| 3 years | 40.26% | 40.03% |
| 5 years | 42.11% | 40.77% |
- VDC
- FSTA
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Sector allocation
Weight of each sector within the fund. Sectors are aligned on the same row so the two funds can be read against each other directly.
- VDC
- FSTA
VDC vs FSTA holdings overlap
97% overlap by weight, with 90 holdings in common. Overlap adds up the smaller of the two weights for every stock both funds own, so 100% would mean identical portfolios.
| Largest shared holdings | VDC weight | FSTA weight |
|---|---|---|
| WMTWalmart Inc | 13.86% | 14.23% |
| COSTCostco Wholesale Corp | 12.12% | 11.92% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Co/The | 9.90% | 9.73% |
| KOCoca-Cola Co/The | 9.80% | 9.55% |
| PMPhilip Morris International Inc | 4.83% | 4.38% |
| PEPPepsiCo Inc | 4.28% | 4.39% |
| MOAltria Group Inc | 3.86% | 3.90% |
| MDLZMondelez International Inc | 2.58% | 2.61% |
| CLColgate-Palmolive Co | 2.28% | 2.30% |
| TGTTarget Corp | 2.50% | 2.25% |
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
VDC103 holdings total
Quick verdict
FSTA currently posts the higher TTM yield (2.13%). VDC yields 2.05%; FSTA yields 2.13%. Choose based on whether you prioritize current cash flow, dividend growth, or total return — then model the holding inside your real portfolio.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
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Frequently asked questions
Is VDC or FSTA better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. VDC currently yields 2.05% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while FSTA yields 2.13%. Higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, but may come with different risk, growth, or NAV characteristics. Compare total return and payout sustainability — not just the headline yield.
What is the difference between VDC and FSTA?
Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF (FSTA) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, VDC or FSTA?
FSTA has the lower expense ratio. VDC charges 0.09% a year and FSTA charges 0.08%, a difference of $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, VDC or FSTA?
Over the last 5 years, VDC has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: VDC returned 42.1% and FSTA returned 40.8%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, VDC or FSTA?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, FSTA has been riskier: VDC fell as much as 16.5% and FSTA as much as 17.1%. Their betas are 0.50 and 0.50.
How much do VDC and FSTA overlap?
About 97% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 90 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are WMT, COST, PG. Holding both adds little diversification.
How often do VDC and FSTA pay dividends?
VDC pays annual and FSTA pays quarterly.
How much income does $10,000 in VDC vs FSTA generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in VDC would generate roughly $17.12 per month ($205 annually). The same amount in FSTA would produce about $17.74 per month ($213 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both VDC and FSTA?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare VDC vs FSTA with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how VDC and FSTA fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.
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For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.