FIPFX vs. SPXL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FIPFX (Fidelity Freedom Index 2050 Fund Investor Class) and SPXL (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF) are both funds - FIPFX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Fidelity, while SPXL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S&P 500. Over the past 10 years, FIPFX returned 11.90%/yr vs 30.20%/yr for SPXL. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. FIPFX charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.84%/yr for SPXL.

Performance

FIPFX vs. SPXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Freedom Index 2050 Fund Investor Class (FIPFX) and Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FIPFX achieves a 12.41% return, which is significantly lower than SPXL's 28.14% return. Over the past 10 years, FIPFX has underperformed SPXL with an annualized return of 11.90%, while SPXL has yielded a comparatively higher 30.20% annualized return.

FIPFX

• 1D: 0.40%
• 1M: 5.52%
• YTD: 12.41%
• 6M: 13.29%
• 1Y: 28.44%
• 3Y*: 19.47%
• 5Y*: 10.07%
• 10Y*: 11.90%

SPXL

• 1D: -2.08%
• 1M: 14.77%
• YTD: 28.14%
• 6M: 26.88%
• 1Y: 81.54%
• 3Y*: 52.83%
• 5Y*: 23.51%
• 10Y*: 30.20%

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

FIPFX vs. SPXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FIPFX Fidelity Freedom Index 2050 Fund Investor Class	12.41%	21.40%	14.15%	19.91%	-18.22%	15.93%	16.46%	26.02%	-7.28%	20.54%
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	28.14%	31.94%	63.61%	69.49%	-56.55%	98.75%	9.64%	102.80%	-25.11%	71.03%

Correlation

The correlation between FIPFX and SPXL is 0.95, 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 6, 2009	0.96

The correlation between FIPFX and SPXL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

FIPFX vs. SPXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FIPFX	SPXL
Technology	25.9%	8.5%
Financial Services	17.1%	2.6%
Industrials	11.7%	1.7%
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	2.2%
Healthcare	9.1%	1.9%
Communication Services	8.0%	2.4%
Consumer Defensive	5.2%	1.1%
Energy	4.7%	0.8%
Basic Materials	4.1%	0.4%
Utilities	2.8%	0.6%
Real Estate	2.1%	0.4%

Return for Risk

FIPFX vs. SPXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

FIPFX

FIPFX Risk / Return Rank: 71
FIPFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
FIPFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
FIPFX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
FIPFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
FIPFX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

SPXL

SPXL Risk / Return Rank: 63
SPXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SPXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
SPXL Omega Ratio Rank: 58
SPXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
SPXL Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

FIPFX vs. SPXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Freedom Index 2050 Fund Investor Class (FIPFX) and Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL). 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.

	FIPFX	SPXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.50	2.32	+0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.45	2.78	+0.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.37	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.22	3.06	+0.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.21	12.94	+1.28
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FIPFX vs. SPXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FIPFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.50, which is comparable to the SPXL Sharpe Ratio of 2.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FIPFX and SPXL, 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

	FIPFX	SPXL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.50	2.32	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70	0.47	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	0.57	+0.22
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.72	0.53	+0.19

Drawdowns

FIPFX vs. SPXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FIPFX drawdown since its inception was -30.71%, smaller than the maximum SPXL drawdown of -76.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FIPFX and SPXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	FIPFX	SPXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.71%	-76.86%	+46.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.96%	-26.77%	+17.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.71%	-48.95%	+34.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.20%	-63.80%	+37.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.71%	-76.86%	+46.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.08%	+2.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.21%	-15.72%	+11.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.03%	6.32%	-4.29%

Volatility

FIPFX vs. SPXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Fidelity Freedom Index 2050 Fund Investor Class (FIPFX) is 3.50%, while Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) has a volatility of 8.49%. This indicates that FIPFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPXL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FIPFX	SPXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.50%	8.49%	-4.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.31%	26.67%	-17.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.56%	35.39%	-23.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.39%	50.24%	-35.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.17%	53.42%	-38.25%

FIPFX vs. SPXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

FIPFX has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than SPXL's 0.84% expense ratio.

Dividends

FIPFX vs. SPXL - Dividend Comparison

FIPFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.75%, more than SPXL's 0.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FIPFX Fidelity Freedom Index 2050 Fund Investor Class	1.75%	1.97%	2.00%	1.94%	2.02%	1.93%	1.95%	15.16%	2.28%	2.05%	2.09%	2.00%
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	0.52%	0.69%	0.74%	0.98%	0.32%	0.11%	0.22%	0.84%	1.02%	3.88%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FIPFX and SPXL in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, FIPFX and SPXL 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, FIPFX or SPXL?

SPXL has higher volatility (8.49%) compared to FIPFX (3.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FIPFX dropped -30.71% vs SPXL's -76.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FIPFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.50 vs 2.32), 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.