FFFDX vs. VBIAX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

FFFDX (Fidelity Freedom 2020 Fund) and VBIAX (Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - FFFDX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Fidelity, while VBIAX is a Diversified Portfolio fund tracking the 60% CRSP US Total Market Index / 40% Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index. Over the past 10 years, FFFDX returned 7.56%/yr vs 9.80%/yr for VBIAX. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FFFDX charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VBIAX.

Performance

FFFDX vs. VBIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Freedom 2020 Fund (FFFDX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FFFDX achieves a 7.52% return, which is significantly higher than VBIAX's 6.69% return. Over the past 10 years, FFFDX has underperformed VBIAX with an annualized return of 7.56%, while VBIAX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.80% annualized return.

FFFDX

• 1D: 0.82%
• 1M: 1.90%
• YTD: 7.52%
• 6M: 7.67%
• 1Y: 17.12%
• 3Y*: 11.52%
• 5Y*: 5.30%
• 10Y*: 7.56%

VBIAX

• 1D: 0.79%
• 1M: 0.89%
• YTD: 6.69%
• 6M: 6.29%
• 1Y: 18.22%
• 3Y*: 14.11%
• 5Y*: 7.84%
• 10Y*: 9.80%

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

FFFDX vs. VBIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FFFDX Fidelity Freedom 2020 Fund	7.52%	14.87%	7.32%	12.85%	-16.06%	8.97%	13.81%	17.97%	-5.30%	13.88%
VBIAX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares	6.69%	13.61%	14.58%	17.54%	-16.90%	14.21%	16.40%	21.78%	-2.86%	13.89%

Correlation

The correlation between FFFDX and VBIAX is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2000	0.95

The correlation between FFFDX and VBIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FFFDX vs. VBIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FFFDX

FFFDX Risk / Return Rank: 74
FFFDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
FFFDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
FFFDX Omega Ratio Rank: 77
FFFDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
FFFDX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

VBIAX

VBIAX Risk / Return Rank: 69
VBIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
VBIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VBIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VBIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
VBIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

FFFDX vs. VBIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Freedom 2020 Fund (FFFDX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX). 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.

	FFFDX	VBIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	2.18	+0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.25	3.07	+0.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.40	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.10	3.12	-0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.21	13.84	-0.63

FFFDX vs. VBIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FFFDX Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is comparable to the VBIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FFFDX and VBIAX, 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

FFFDX vs. VBIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FFFDX drawdown since its inception was -45.53%, which is greater than VBIAX's maximum drawdown of -35.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FFFDX and VBIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FFFDX	VBIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.53%	-35.90%	-9.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.50%	-5.83%	+0.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.75%	-11.70%	+3.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.58%	-21.53%	-1.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.58%	-22.78%	+0.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.62%	+0.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.05%	-4.44%	-2.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.29%	1.31%	-0.02%

Volatility

FFFDX vs. VBIAX - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Freedom 2020 Fund (FFFDX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX) have volatilities of 3.19% and 3.33%, 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

	FFFDX	VBIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.19%	3.33%	-0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.39%	6.72%	-0.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.46%	8.36%	-0.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.97%	11.12%	-2.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.02%	11.25%	-2.23%

FFFDX vs. VBIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FFFDX has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than VBIAX's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

FFFDX vs. VBIAX - Dividend Comparison

FFFDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.54%, more than VBIAX's 5.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FFFDX Fidelity Freedom 2020 Fund	7.54%	7.36%	4.67%	2.63%	9.81%	12.06%	6.88%	6.54%	7.10%	2.95%	3.62%	3.92%
VBIAX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares	5.25%	6.00%	5.27%	4.35%	2.83%	3.19%	2.65%	2.28%	2.32%	1.95%	2.09%	2.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FFFDX and VBIAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, FFFDX and VBIAX 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, FFFDX or VBIAX?

VBIAX has higher volatility (3.33%) compared to FFFDX (3.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FFFDX dropped -45.53% vs VBIAX's -35.90%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FFFDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 2.17), 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.