FFTWX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FFTWX (Fidelity Freedom 2025 Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - FFTWX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Fidelity, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, FFTWX returned 8.29%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FFTWX charges 0.62%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

FFTWX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Freedom 2025 Fund (FFTWX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FFTWX achieves a 8.11% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, FFTWX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 8.29%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.49% annualized return.

FFTWX

• 1D: 0.38%
• 1M: 3.06%
• YTD: 8.11%
• 6M: 8.93%
• 1Y: 19.54%
• 3Y*: 13.29%
• 5Y*: 5.88%
• 10Y*: 8.29%

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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

FFTWX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FFTWX Fidelity Freedom 2025 Fund	8.11%	16.46%	8.20%	14.10%	-16.66%	10.09%	14.70%	19.45%	-5.93%	15.57%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between FFTWX and SPY is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 9, 2003	0.90

The correlation between FFTWX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

FFTWX vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FFTWX	SPY
Technology	23.0%	35.9%
Financial Services	17.1%	11.8%
Industrials	15.5%	7.8%
Consumer Cyclical	9.2%	10.3%
Healthcare	8.7%	8.4%
Communication Services	7.7%	11.3%
Basic Materials	5.8%	1.8%
Energy	5.7%	3.6%
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	4.8%
Utilities	1.8%	2.4%
Real Estate	1.1%	1.9%

Return for Risk

FFTWX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

FFTWX

FFTWX Risk / Return Rank: 70
FFTWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
FFTWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
FFTWX Omega Ratio Rank: 73
FFTWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
FFTWX Martin Ratio Rank: 70

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Freedom 2025 Fund (FFTWX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	FFTWX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.46	2.38	+0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.49	3.24	+0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.43	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.08	3.16	-0.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.46	14.72	-1.26
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FFTWX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FFTWX Sharpe Ratio is 2.46, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FFTWX and SPY, 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

	FFTWX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.46	2.38	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59	0.82	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82	0.87	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.59	-0.06

Drawdowns

FFTWX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FFTWX drawdown since its inception was -47.51%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FFTWX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	FFTWX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.51%	-55.19%	+7.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.40%	-8.88%	+2.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.87%	-18.76%	+9.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.66%	-24.50%	+0.84%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-23.66%	-33.72%	+10.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.70%	+0.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.57%	-9.05%	+3.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.46%	1.91%	-0.45%

Volatility

FFTWX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Freedom 2025 Fund (FFTWX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) have volatilities of 2.96% and 2.84%, 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

	FFTWX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.96%	2.84%	+0.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.68%	8.90%	-2.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.02%	11.83%	-3.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.94%	17.05%	-7.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.09%	17.94%	-7.85%

FFTWX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

FFTWX has a 0.62% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

FFTWX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

FFTWX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.77%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FFTWX Fidelity Freedom 2025 Fund	6.77%	6.44%	3.74%	2.08%	9.66%	10.38%	5.75%	6.09%	6.39%	3.04%	3.91%	5.60%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FFTWX and SPY in my portfolio?

FFTWX and SPY have a correlation of 0.87, 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 SPY?

FFTWX has higher volatility (2.96%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FFTWX dropped -47.51% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FFTWX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.46 vs 2.38), 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.