FFTWX vs. HYLS

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

FFTWX (Fidelity Freedom 2025 Fund) and HYLS (First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF) are both funds - FFTWX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Fidelity, while HYLS is a High Yield Bonds fund actively managed by First Trust. Over the past 10 years, FFTWX returned 8.42%/yr vs 4.45%/yr for HYLS. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FFTWX charges 0.62%/yr vs 1.01%/yr for HYLS.

Performance

FFTWX vs. HYLS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Freedom 2025 Fund (FFTWX) and First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF (HYLS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FFTWX achieves a 8.73% return, which is significantly higher than HYLS's 0.45% return. Over the past 10 years, FFTWX has outperformed HYLS with an annualized return of 8.42%, while HYLS has yielded a comparatively lower 4.45% annualized return.

FFTWX

• 1D: 0.96%
• 1M: 2.27%
• YTD: 8.73%
• 6M: 8.85%
• 1Y: 19.72%
• 3Y*: 12.88%
• 5Y*: 6.14%
• 10Y*: 8.42%

HYLS

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 0.44%
• YTD: 0.45%
• 6M: 0.74%
• 1Y: 5.02%
• 3Y*: 8.01%
• 5Y*: 2.94%
• 10Y*: 4.45%

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

FFTWX vs. HYLS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FFTWX Fidelity Freedom 2025 Fund	8.73%	16.46%	8.20%	14.10%	-16.66%	10.09%	14.70%	19.45%	-5.93%	15.57%
HYLS First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF	0.45%	8.00%	5.85%	13.66%	-12.83%	3.69%	5.32%	14.66%	-2.46%	6.39%

Correlation

The correlation between FFTWX and HYLS is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 27, 2013	0.62

The correlation between FFTWX and HYLS shifts across timeframes, from 0.62 (all time) to 0.74 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FFTWX vs. HYLS — Risk / Return Rank

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

FFTWX

FFTWX Risk / Return Rank: 73
FFTWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
FFTWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
FFTWX Omega Ratio Rank: 76
FFTWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
FFTWX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

HYLS

HYLS Risk / Return Rank: 41
HYLS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
HYLS Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
HYLS Omega Ratio Rank: 42
HYLS Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
HYLS Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

FFTWX vs. HYLS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Freedom 2025 Fund (FFTWX) and First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF (HYLS). 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.

	FFTWX	HYLS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	1.42	+0.86
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.22	2.20	+1.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.27	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.07	1.63	+1.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.18	6.91	+6.27

FFTWX vs. HYLS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FFTWX Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is higher than the HYLS Sharpe Ratio of 1.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FFTWX and HYLS, 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

FFTWX vs. HYLS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FFTWX drawdown since its inception was -47.51%, which is greater than HYLS's maximum drawdown of -22.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FFTWX and HYLS.

Drawdown Indicators

	FFTWX	HYLS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.51%	-22.99%	-24.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.40%	-3.09%	-3.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.87%	-3.96%	-4.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.66%	-15.75%	-7.91%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-23.66%	-22.99%	-0.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.14%	+0.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.56%	-2.15%	-3.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.49%	0.73%	+0.76%

Volatility

FFTWX vs. HYLS - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Freedom 2025 Fund (FFTWX) has a higher volatility of 3.66% compared to First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF (HYLS) at 0.85%. This indicates that FFTWX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HYLS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FFTWX	HYLS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.66%	0.85%	+2.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.36%	2.96%	+4.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.60%	3.55%	+5.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.04%	6.62%	+3.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.13%	6.71%	+3.42%

FFTWX vs. HYLS - Expense Ratio Comparison

FFTWX has a 0.62% expense ratio, which is lower than HYLS's 1.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

FFTWX vs. HYLS - Dividend Comparison

FFTWX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.73%, which matches HYLS's 6.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FFTWX Fidelity Freedom 2025 Fund	6.73%	6.44%	3.74%	2.08%	9.66%	10.38%	5.75%	6.09%	6.39%	3.04%	3.91%	5.60%
HYLS First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF	6.69%	6.38%	6.25%	5.98%	7.38%	5.48%	5.09%	5.17%	5.81%	5.53%	5.37%	6.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FFTWX and HYLS in my portfolio?

FFTWX and HYLS have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FFTWX or HYLS?

FFTWX has higher volatility (3.66%) compared to HYLS (0.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FFTWX dropped -47.51% vs HYLS's -22.99%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FFTWX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 1.42), 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.