FCAFX vs. PLWIX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

FCAFX (Fidelity Advisor Freedom Income Fund Class C) and PLWIX (Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, FCAFX returned 3.36%/yr vs 7.31%/yr for PLWIX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FCAFX charges 1.47%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for PLWIX.

Performance

FCAFX vs. PLWIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Advisor Freedom Income Fund Class C (FCAFX) and Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund (PLWIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FCAFX achieves a 4.11% return, which is significantly lower than PLWIX's 4.37% return. Over the past 10 years, FCAFX has underperformed PLWIX with an annualized return of 3.36%, while PLWIX has yielded a comparatively higher 7.31% annualized return.

FCAFX

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: 4.11%
• 6M: 4.35%
• 1Y: 9.43%
• 3Y*: 6.76%
• 5Y*: 2.00%
• 10Y*: 3.36%

PLWIX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 0.64%
• YTD: 4.37%
• 6M: 4.66%
• 1Y: 12.07%
• 3Y*: 11.70%
• 5Y*: 5.21%
• 10Y*: 7.31%

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

FCAFX vs. PLWIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FCAFX Fidelity Advisor Freedom Income Fund Class C	4.11%	9.01%	3.20%	7.08%	-12.28%	2.04%	7.69%	10.00%	-2.63%	6.38%
PLWIX Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund	4.37%	11.32%	12.21%	12.23%	-14.36%	9.05%	12.70%	18.40%	-5.72%	14.96%

Correlation

The correlation between FCAFX and PLWIX is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 9, 2003	0.84

The correlation between FCAFX and PLWIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FCAFX vs. PLWIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FCAFX

FCAFX Risk / Return Rank: 51
FCAFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
FCAFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
FCAFX Omega Ratio Rank: 58
FCAFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
FCAFX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

PLWIX

PLWIX Risk / Return Rank: 52
PLWIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
PLWIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
PLWIX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
PLWIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
PLWIX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

FCAFX vs. PLWIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Advisor Freedom Income Fund Class C (FCAFX) and Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund (PLWIX). 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.

	FCAFX	PLWIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.04	2.04	0.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.95	2.95	0.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.39	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.42	2.53	-0.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.42	11.30	-0.88
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FCAFX vs. PLWIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FCAFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.04, which is comparable to the PLWIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FCAFX and PLWIX, 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

	FCAFX	PLWIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.04	2.04	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38	0.64	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73	0.86	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	0.53	+0.11

Drawdowns

FCAFX vs. PLWIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FCAFX drawdown since its inception was -20.01%, smaller than the maximum PLWIX drawdown of -49.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FCAFX and PLWIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FCAFX	PLWIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.01%	-49.07%	+29.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.83%	-4.75%	+0.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.18%	-6.97%	+1.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.75%	-19.73%	+2.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-16.75%	-20.29%	+3.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.18%	-0.24%	+0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.49%	-5.72%	+3.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.89%	1.06%	-0.17%

Volatility

FCAFX vs. PLWIX - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Advisor Freedom Income Fund Class C (FCAFX) and Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund (PLWIX) have volatilities of 1.88% and 1.93%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FCAFX	PLWIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.88%	1.93%	-0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.86%	4.80%	-0.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.57%	5.92%	-1.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.37%	8.24%	-2.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.65%	8.56%	-3.91%

FCAFX vs. PLWIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FCAFX has a 1.47% expense ratio, which is higher than PLWIX's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

FCAFX vs. PLWIX - Dividend Comparison

FCAFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.07%, less than PLWIX's 9.66% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FCAFX Fidelity Advisor Freedom Income Fund Class C	2.07%	2.28%	2.16%	1.93%	5.15%	4.75%	2.98%	2.75%	4.66%	2.52%	2.13%	2.20%
PLWIX Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund	9.66%	10.08%	11.91%	5.12%	9.82%	9.40%	5.90%	8.69%	7.35%	5.74%	3.73%	8.75%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FCAFX and PLWIX in my portfolio?

FCAFX and PLWIX have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FCAFX or PLWIX?

PLWIX has higher volatility (1.93%) compared to FCAFX (1.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FCAFX dropped -20.01% vs PLWIX's -49.07%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FCAFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.04 vs 2.04), 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.