FITHX vs. VEA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FITHX (Fidelity Advisor Freedom 2035 Fund Class I) and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) are both funds - FITHX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Fidelity, while VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. Over the past 10 years, FITHX returned 10.43%/yr vs 10.17%/yr for VEA. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FITHX charges 0.71%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VEA.

Performance

FITHX vs. VEA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Advisor Freedom 2035 Fund Class I (FITHX) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FITHX achieves a 9.21% return, which is significantly lower than VEA's 14.92% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FITHX having a 10.43% annualized return and VEA not far behind at 10.17%.

FITHX

• 1D: 0.40%
• 1M: 3.47%
• YTD: 9.21%
• 6M: 10.29%
• 1Y: 21.75%
• 3Y*: 15.83%
• 5Y*: 7.43%
• 10Y*: 10.43%

VEA

• 1D: -0.90%
• 1M: 5.54%
• YTD: 14.92%
• 6M: 18.15%
• 1Y: 32.48%
• 3Y*: 19.77%
• 5Y*: 9.60%
• 10Y*: 10.17%

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

FITHX vs. VEA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FITHX Fidelity Advisor Freedom 2035 Fund Class I	9.21%	18.71%	10.76%	16.65%	-17.53%	13.97%	16.48%	25.76%	-7.76%	20.10%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	14.92%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-15.34%	11.66%	9.71%	22.62%	-14.75%	26.42%

Correlation

The correlation between FITHX and VEA is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
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 Jul 27, 2007	0.91

The correlation between FITHX and VEA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FITHX vs. VEA — Risk / Return Rank

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

FITHX

FITHX Risk / Return Rank: 60
FITHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
FITHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
FITHX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
FITHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
FITHX Martin Ratio Rank: 64

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 59
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

FITHX vs. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Advisor Freedom 2035 Fund Class I (FITHX) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). 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.

	FITHX	VEA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	2.09	+0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.22	2.87	+0.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.38	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.91	2.81	+0.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.52	10.94	+1.58
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FITHX vs. VEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FITHX Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is comparable to the VEA Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FITHX and VEA, 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

	FITHX	VEA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.28	2.09	+0.20
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.58	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77	0.59	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.25	+0.23

Drawdowns

FITHX vs. VEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FITHX drawdown since its inception was -54.57%, smaller than the maximum VEA drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FITHX and VEA.

Drawdown Indicators

	FITHX	VEA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.57%	-60.68%	+6.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.56%	-11.63%	+4.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.37%	-13.45%	+2.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.91%	-29.71%	+3.80%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.21%	-35.73%	+6.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.90%	+0.90%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.08%	-13.29%	+6.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.75%	2.98%	-1.23%

Volatility

FITHX vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Fidelity Advisor Freedom 2035 Fund Class I (FITHX) is 3.44%, while Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) has a volatility of 5.66%. This indicates that FITHX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FITHX	VEA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.44%	5.66%	-2.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.01%	13.32%	-5.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.64%	15.66%	-6.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.38%	16.55%	-4.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.65%	17.36%	-3.71%

FITHX vs. VEA - Expense Ratio Comparison

FITHX has a 0.71% expense ratio, which is higher than VEA's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

FITHX vs. VEA - Dividend Comparison

FITHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.23%, more than VEA's 2.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FITHX Fidelity Advisor Freedom 2035 Fund Class I	7.23%	7.28%	1.92%	1.51%	9.95%	9.48%	6.16%	7.35%	11.94%	4.16%	4.86%	5.38%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.62%	3.22%	3.35%	3.15%	2.91%	3.16%	2.04%	3.04%	3.35%	2.77%	3.05%	2.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FITHX and VEA in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, FITHX and VEA 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, FITHX or VEA?

VEA has higher volatility (5.66%) compared to FITHX (3.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FITHX dropped -54.57% vs VEA's -60.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FITHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 2.09), 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.