Advertisement
FSTA vs IYK
Which ETF would AI Choose? Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF (FSTA) vs. iShares U.S. Consumer Staples ETF (IYK)
Key Takeaways
- Both FSTA and IYK are passively managed, market-cap-weighted exchange-traded funds (ETFs) targeting U.S. consumer staples, but they track different indexes with meaningfully different portfolios.
- FSTA holds roughly 100 securities across the full market-cap spectrum, while IYK holds about 54 predominantly large-cap names, making FSTA the more diversified option.
- Cost is a decisive gap: FSTA carries a 0.08% expense ratio versus 0.38% for IYK.
- FSTA tilts toward mega-cap retail and distribution names, while IYK leans on branded consumer products and blends in healthcare distributors, giving it a less "pure" staples profile.
- Tickeron AI Verdict: FSTA is favored for its lower cost, broader diversification, and more consistent pure-play consumer staples exposure.
Introduction
Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF (FSTA) and iShares U.S. Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) are two of the most widely held U.S. consumer staples ETFs, and they are natural competitors for the same investor dollar. Both seek to capture the defensive, non-cyclical demand of food, beverage, household-product, and tobacco companies, yet they arrive at that goal through different indexes and portfolio constructions. Comparing them is timely because defensive sector positioning has drawn renewed attention amid an uncertain macro backdrop. Understanding their structural differences—holdings, concentration, cost, and index methodology—helps investors judge which vehicle better matches their goals for sector exposure and relative positioning.
Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF (FSTA) Overview
FSTA is a passively managed ETF that seeks to track the MSCI USA IMI Consumer Staples 25/50 Index, which spans nearly the entire U.S. consumer staples market across large, mid, and small capitalizations. The fund holds roughly 100 stocks, providing broad coverage rather than a narrow mega-cap-only basket. Its portfolio is overwhelmingly consumer defensive (typically around 97% or more), with only marginal exposure to consumer cyclical and other sectors.
Top holdings reflect a heavy retail and distribution tilt: WMT (Walmart) at roughly 14–15%, COST (Costco) at about 11–12%, and PG (Procter & Gamble) near 9%, followed by KO (Coca-Cola), PEP (PepsiCo), PM (Philip Morris), and MO (Altria). Its expense ratio is 0.08%, among the lowest in the category, and it rebalances in line with its market-cap-weighted index.
iShares U.S. Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) Overview
IYK is a passively managed ETF that tracks the Russell 1000 Consumer Staples RIC 22.5/45 Capped Index, which measures the consumer staples segment of the large-cap U.S. equity market. With roughly 54 holdings, it is a more concentrated portfolio dominated by mega-cap branded-goods companies. Its index applies concentration caps to limit single-stock weight.
Top holdings include PG at about 13.5%, KO near 12–13%, and PM around 11%, followed by PEP, MO, CVS (CVS Health), MCK (McKesson), MDLZ (Mondelez), CL (Colgate-Palmolive), and MNST (Monster Beverage). Notably, the presence of healthcare distribution names such as CVS and McKesson means healthcare represents roughly 11–13% of the portfolio, making it less of a pure staples fund. Its expense ratio is 0.38%.
Industry and Thematic Backdrop
Consumer staples are prized as a defensive anchor because demand for food, beverages, household goods, and tobacco remains relatively stable across economic cycles. In the current environment, investors have weighed several forces: persistently elevated inflation and its impact on consumer purchasing power, pricing power among branded-goods giants, and the relative attractiveness of defensive sectors when growth-oriented equities look extended. Brand strength and pricing discipline at companies like Procter & Gamble and Coca-Cola support resilient margins, while retail giants Walmart and Costco benefit from trade-down behavior and value-seeking consumers. Key risks include input-cost pressures, evolving health-consciousness that pressures certain packaged-food and tobacco categories, and potential regulatory scrutiny. These dynamics affect both funds, but their different weightings determine how strongly each is exposed to them.
Performance and Positioning Comparison
In recent market cycles, the two funds have generally moved in the same direction given their shared staples focus, but their relative positioning has diverged. FSTA's heavier weighting in Walmart and Costco has linked its returns more closely to retail distribution and warehouse-club momentum, which has been robust as consumers prioritize value. Meanwhile, IYK's concentration in branded consumer staples and its healthcare-distributor sleeve introduces a different earnings and valuation profile. From a risk standpoint, both funds exhibit low equity beta (a measure of sensitivity to the broad market) relative to the S&P 500, but FSTA's broader, less concentrated portfolio and its inclusion of mid- and small-cap names typically produce a somewhat different volatility signature than IYK's large-cap-heavy lineup.
AI Screener
Tickeron's AI Screener is an AI-powered stock and ETF discovery tool that helps traders and investors filter the market based on technical patterns, fundamentals, trends, volatility, and AI-driven signals. Users can scan thousands of stocks and ETFs using customizable filters such as industry, market capitalization, technical indicators, price patterns, and performance metrics, helping them identify trade ideas, trending stocks, breakout candidates, and market opportunities far more efficiently than manual screening. Explore the AI Screener to refine your own ETF comparison and uncover opportunities aligned with your strategy.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on structural strength, cost efficiency, diversification profile, and trend consistency, Tickeron's AI would currently favor FSTA over IYK. The Fidelity fund's materially lower expense ratio (0.08% versus 0.38%) is a durable, compounding advantage, while its roughly 100 holdings provide broader diversification than IYK's concentrated, large-cap-only basket. FSTA also offers a more consistent pure-play staples exposure, whereas IYK's healthcare-distributor allocation dilutes its sector purity. While both funds are credible defensive vehicles, FSTA's combination of lower cost, wider coverage, and cleaner sector alignment gives it the edge in this relative comparison.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is FSTA is a StrongBuy and IYK is a StrongBuy.
FSTA's MACD Histogram crosses above signal line
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for FSTA turned positive on October 07, 2026. Looking at past instances where FSTA's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 41 of 46 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 89%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 08, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on FSTA as a result. In 79 of 98 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 81%.
FSTA moved above its 50-day moving average on October 12, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
The 10-day moving average for FSTA crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on October 16, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 15 of 19 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 79%.
Following a +3.34% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where FSTA advanced for three days, in 249 of 319 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 78%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 234 of 316 cases where FSTA Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 74%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The RSI Oscillator demonstrated that the stock has entered the overbought zone. This may point to a price pull-back soon.
The Stochastic Oscillator entered the overbought zone. Expect a price pull-back in the foreseeable future.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where FSTA declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 76%.
FSTA broke above its upper Bollinger Band on November 02, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
IYK's MACD Histogram crosses above signal line
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for IYK turned positive on October 07, 2026. Looking at past instances where IYK's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 38 of 44 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 86%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 08, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on IYK as a result. In 70 of 87 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 80%.
IYK moved above its 50-day moving average on October 08, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
The 10-day moving average for IYK crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on October 16, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 13 of 18 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 72%.
Following a +2.27% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where IYK advanced for three days, in 265 of 336 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 79%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 232 of 299 cases where IYK Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 78%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The 10-day RSI Indicator for IYK moved out of overbought territory on October 23, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 38 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In 30 of the 38 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at 79%.
The Stochastic Oscillator may be shifting from an upward trend to a downward trend. In 43 of 61 cases where IYK's Stochastic Oscillator exited the overbought zone, the price fell further within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 70%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where IYK declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 75%.
IYK broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 14, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
| FSTA | IYK | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 81% | 2 days ago 79% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 72% | 2 days ago 70% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 81% | 2 days ago 80% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 89% | 2 days ago 86% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 80% | 2 days ago 78% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 78% | 2 days ago 77% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 78% | 2 days ago 79% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 7 days ago 76% | 7 days ago 75% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 84% | 2 days ago 69% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 74% | 2 days ago 78% |
Advertisement
FSTA and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, FSTA has been closely correlated with CL. These tickers have moved in lockstep 73% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if FSTA jumps, then CL could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To FSTA | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FSTA | 100% | +1.88% | ||
| CL - FSTA | 73% Closely correlated | +2.25% | ||
| PG - FSTA | 73% Closely correlated | +1.23% | ||
| CAG - FSTA | 64% Loosely correlated | +1.51% | ||
| GIS - FSTA | 60% Loosely correlated | +1.34% | ||
| HSY - FSTA | 60% Loosely correlated | +3.41% | ||
More | ||||
IYK and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, IYK has been closely correlated with CL. These tickers have moved in lockstep 78% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if IYK jumps, then CL could also see price increases.