FAFAX vs. FIRMX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

FAFAX (Fidelity Advisor Freedom Income Fund Class A) and FIRMX (Fidelity Managed Retirement Income Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, FAFAX returned 4.11%/yr vs 4.18%/yr for FIRMX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FAFAX charges 0.72%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FIRMX.

Performance

FAFAX vs. FIRMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Advisor Freedom Income Fund Class A (FAFAX) and Fidelity Managed Retirement Income Fund (FIRMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FAFAX achieves a 4.29% return, which is significantly higher than FIRMX's 3.78% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FAFAX having a 4.11% annualized return and FIRMX not far ahead at 4.18%.

FAFAX

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: 1.00%
• YTD: 4.29%
• 6M: 4.58%
• 1Y: 9.92%
• 3Y*: 7.52%
• 5Y*: 2.73%
• 10Y*: 4.11%

FIRMX

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: 1.00%
• YTD: 3.78%
• 6M: 4.07%
• 1Y: 9.64%
• 3Y*: 7.50%
• 5Y*: 2.77%
• 10Y*: 4.18%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FAFAX vs. FIRMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FAFAX Fidelity Advisor Freedom Income Fund Class A	4.29%	9.76%	4.04%	7.83%	-11.67%	2.92%	8.46%	10.85%	-2.03%	7.12%
FIRMX Fidelity Managed Retirement Income Fund	3.78%	9.95%	4.29%	8.07%	-11.66%	2.77%	8.57%	10.57%	-1.80%	7.08%

Correlation

The correlation between FAFAX and FIRMX is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.98
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 31, 2007	0.94

The correlation between FAFAX and FIRMX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FAFAX vs. FIRMX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

FAFAX

FAFAX Risk / Return Rank: 64
FAFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
FAFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
FAFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
FAFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
FAFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

FIRMX

FIRMX Risk / Return Rank: 69
FIRMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
FIRMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
FIRMX Omega Ratio Rank: 75
FIRMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
FIRMX Martin Ratio Rank: 65

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

FAFAX vs. FIRMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Advisor Freedom Income Fund Class A (FAFAX) and Fidelity Managed Retirement Income Fund (FIRMX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	FAFAX	FIRMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.31	2.44	-0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.38	3.60	-0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.49	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.81	2.96	-0.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.20	12.62	-0.42
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FAFAX vs. FIRMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FAFAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.31, which is comparable to the FIRMX Sharpe Ratio of 2.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FAFAX and FIRMX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FAFAX	FIRMX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.31	2.44	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.53	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89	0.93	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.81	0.55	+0.26

Drawdowns

FAFAX vs. FIRMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FAFAX drawdown since its inception was -19.07%, smaller than the maximum FIRMX drawdown of -33.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAFAX and FIRMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FAFAX	FIRMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.07%	-33.73%	+14.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.73%	-3.44%	-0.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.95%	-4.96%	+0.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.11%	-16.11%	0.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-16.11%	-16.11%	0.00%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.27%	-0.25%	-0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.17%	-3.70%	+1.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.86%	0.81%	+0.05%

Volatility

FAFAX vs. FIRMX - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Advisor Freedom Income Fund Class A (FAFAX) has a higher volatility of 1.81% compared to Fidelity Managed Retirement Income Fund (FIRMX) at 1.65%. This indicates that FAFAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FIRMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FAFAX	FIRMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.81%	1.65%	+0.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.82%	3.41%	+0.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.55%	4.17%	+0.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.35%	5.28%	+0.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.64%	4.51%	+0.13%

FAFAX vs. FIRMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FAFAX has a 0.72% expense ratio, which is higher than FIRMX's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

FAFAX vs. FIRMX - Dividend Comparison

FAFAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.75%, less than FIRMX's 3.10% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FAFAX Fidelity Advisor Freedom Income Fund Class A	2.75%	2.93%	2.88%	2.66%	5.70%	5.06%	3.60%	3.52%	5.39%	3.13%	2.86%	2.82%
FIRMX Fidelity Managed Retirement Income Fund	3.10%	3.13%	3.02%	2.81%	4.54%	3.56%	2.48%	2.59%	4.65%	8.57%	1.67%	1.68%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FAFAX and FIRMX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, FAFAX and FIRMX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, FAFAX or FIRMX?

FAFAX has higher volatility (1.81%) compared to FIRMX (1.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAFAX dropped -19.07% vs FIRMX's -33.73%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FIRMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 2.31), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.