FARFX vs. VFAIX

Last updated Jul 1, 2026

FARFX (Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement 2025 Fund Class A) and VFAIX (Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - FARFX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by BlackRock, while VFAIX is a Financials Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Financials 25/50 Index. Over the past 10 years, FARFX returned 6.62%/yr vs 13.23%/yr for VFAIX. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FARFX charges 0.73%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VFAIX.

Performance

FARFX vs. VFAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement 2025 Fund Class A (FARFX) and Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FARFX achieves a 4.40% return, which is significantly higher than VFAIX's -0.32% return. Over the past 10 years, FARFX has underperformed VFAIX with an annualized return of 6.62%, while VFAIX has yielded a comparatively higher 13.23% annualized return.

FARFX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -1.46%
• YTD: 4.40%
• 6M: 4.08%
• 1Y: 10.44%
• 3Y*: 9.39%
• 5Y*: 3.94%
• 10Y*: 6.62%

VFAIX

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 4.74%
• YTD: -0.32%
• 6M: -1.10%
• 1Y: 5.36%
• 3Y*: 19.73%
• 5Y*: 10.20%
• 10Y*: 13.23%

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

FARFX vs. VFAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FARFX Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement 2025 Fund Class A	4.40%	13.15%	6.30%	11.55%	-15.86%	7.73%	12.80%	17.23%	-5.29%	13.98%
VFAIX Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares	-0.32%	14.90%	30.46%	14.07%	-12.26%	36.27%	-2.15%	31.63%	-13.47%	20.05%

Correlation

The correlation between FARFX and VFAIX is 0.51, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.51
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 31, 2007	0.76

Over the past year, the correlation between FARFX and VFAIX has dropped to 0.51 - well below their long-term average of 0.76, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

FARFX vs. VFAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FARFX

FARFX Risk / Return Rank: 68
FARFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
FARFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
FARFX Omega Ratio Rank: 75
FARFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
FARFX Martin Ratio Rank: 65

VFAIX

VFAIX Risk / Return Rank: 7
VFAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
VFAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
VFAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 7
VFAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
VFAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 7

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.

FARFX vs. VFAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement 2025 Fund Class A (FARFX) and Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	FARFX	VFAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.94	0.43	+1.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.75	0.68	+2.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.08	+0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.47	0.43	+2.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.23	1.12	+9.11

FARFX vs. VFAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FARFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.94, which is higher than the VFAIX Sharpe Ratio of 0.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FARFX and VFAIX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

FARFX vs. VFAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FARFX drawdown since its inception was -41.46%, smaller than the maximum VFAIX drawdown of -78.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FARFX and VFAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FARFX	VFAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.46%	-78.64%	+37.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.13%	-14.72%	+9.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.32%	-17.31%	+9.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.75%	-25.71%	+3.96%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-21.75%	-44.37%	+22.62%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.85%	-3.35%	+1.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.33%	-18.56%	+13.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.24%	5.68%	-4.44%

Volatility

FARFX vs. VFAIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement 2025 Fund Class A (FARFX) is 2.17%, while Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX) has a volatility of 4.12%. This indicates that FARFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FARFX	VFAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.17%	4.12%	-1.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.49%	11.32%	-5.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.52%	14.82%	-8.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.20%	19.28%	-11.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.37%	22.52%	-14.15%

FARFX vs. VFAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FARFX has a 0.73% expense ratio, which is higher than VFAIX's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

FARFX vs. VFAIX - Dividend Comparison

FARFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.42%, more than VFAIX's 1.76% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FARFX Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement 2025 Fund Class A	3.42%	2.43%	2.35%	2.21%	4.50%	4.96%	3.36%	3.64%	6.83%	24.58%	2.20%	4.23%
VFAIX Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.76%	1.56%	1.75%	2.08%	2.31%	2.62%	2.21%	2.17%	2.30%	1.54%	1.64%	2.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FARFX and VFAIX in my portfolio?

FARFX and VFAIX have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FARFX or VFAIX?

VFAIX has higher volatility (4.12%) compared to FARFX (2.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FARFX dropped -41.46% vs VFAIX's -78.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FARFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.94 vs 0.43), 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.