FFFAX vs. SCHD

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

FFFAX (Fidelity Freedom Income Fund) and SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) are both funds - FFFAX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Fidelity, while SCHD is a Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. Over the past 10 years, FFFAX returned 4.57%/yr vs 12.68%/yr for SCHD. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FFFAX charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SCHD.

Performance

FFFAX vs. SCHD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Freedom Income Fund (FFFAX) and Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FFFAX achieves a 5.09% return, which is significantly lower than SCHD's 17.24% return. Over the past 10 years, FFFAX has underperformed SCHD with an annualized return of 4.57%, while SCHD has yielded a comparatively higher 12.68% annualized return.

FFFAX

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: 1.33%
• YTD: 5.09%
• 6M: 5.22%
• 1Y: 11.22%
• 3Y*: 7.89%
• 5Y*: 3.29%
• 10Y*: 4.57%

SCHD

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: -2.86%
• YTD: 17.24%
• 6M: 16.44%
• 1Y: 24.06%
• 3Y*: 14.45%
• 5Y*: 8.77%
• 10Y*: 12.68%

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

FFFAX vs. SCHD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FFFAX Fidelity Freedom Income Fund	5.09%	10.42%	4.34%	8.18%	-11.33%	3.12%	8.93%	10.74%	-1.99%	8.21%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	17.24%	4.34%	11.66%	4.54%	-3.26%	29.87%	15.03%	27.29%	-5.56%	20.85%

Correlation

The correlation between FFFAX and SCHD is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.43
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 20, 2011	0.57

Over the past year, the correlation between FFFAX and SCHD has dropped to 0.36 - well below their long-term average of 0.57, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

FFFAX vs. SCHD — Risk / Return Rank

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

FFFAX

FFFAX Risk / Return Rank: 74
FFFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
FFFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
FFFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
FFFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
FFFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 74

SCHD

SCHD Risk / Return Rank: 76
SCHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
SCHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
SCHD Omega Ratio Rank: 68
SCHD Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
SCHD Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

FFFAX vs. SCHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Freedom Income Fund (FFFAX) and Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD). 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.

	FFFAX	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.27	2.18	+0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.27	3.34	-0.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.39	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.06	5.24	-2.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.16	12.71	+0.45

FFFAX vs. SCHD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FFFAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.27, which is comparable to the SCHD Sharpe Ratio of 2.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FFFAX and SCHD, 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

FFFAX vs. SCHD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FFFAX drawdown since its inception was -17.96%, smaller than the maximum SCHD drawdown of -33.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FFFAX and SCHD.

Drawdown Indicators

	FFFAX	SCHD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.96%	-33.37%	+15.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.68%	-4.61%	+0.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.91%	-16.13%	+11.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.87%	-16.85%	+0.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-15.87%	-33.37%	+17.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.00%	-2.86%	+2.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.79%	-3.31%	+1.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.85%	1.90%	-1.05%

Volatility

FFFAX vs. SCHD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Fidelity Freedom Income Fund (FFFAX) is 2.35%, while Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) has a volatility of 3.58%. This indicates that FFFAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SCHD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FFFAX	SCHD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.35%	3.58%	-1.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.35%	7.74%	-3.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.97%	11.09%	-6.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.45%	14.36%	-8.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.68%	16.73%	-12.05%

FFFAX vs. SCHD - Expense Ratio Comparison

FFFAX has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHD's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

FFFAX vs. SCHD - Dividend Comparison

FFFAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.94%, less than SCHD's 3.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FFFAX Fidelity Freedom Income Fund	2.94%	3.29%	3.13%	2.92%	5.89%	6.12%	4.37%	3.65%	5.17%	3.74%	3.21%	3.28%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	3.31%	3.82%	3.64%	3.49%	3.39%	2.78%	3.16%	2.98%	3.06%	2.63%	2.89%	2.97%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FFFAX and SCHD in my portfolio?

FFFAX and SCHD have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FFFAX or SCHD?

SCHD has higher volatility (3.58%) compared to FFFAX (2.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FFFAX dropped -17.96% vs SCHD's -33.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FFFAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 2.18), 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.