VSEQX vs. FSNZX

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund (VSEQX) and Fidelity Freedom 2045 Fund Class K (FSNZX).

VSEQX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Aug 14, 1995. FSNZX is managed by Fidelity. It was launched on Jul 20, 2017.

Performance

VSEQX vs. FSNZX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund (VSEQX) and Fidelity Freedom 2045 Fund Class K (FSNZX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

VSEQX vs. FSNZX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VSEQX Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund	1.73%	15.32%	16.67%	19.31%	-11.90%	30.83%	10.26%	26.76%	-11.86%	4.69%
FSNZX Fidelity Freedom 2045 Fund Class K	-0.38%	23.75%	14.20%	20.66%	-18.25%	16.70%	18.36%	25.55%	-8.89%	7.39%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSEQX achieves a 1.73% return, which is significantly higher than FSNZX's -0.38% return.

VSEQX

• 1D: 2.86%
• 1M: -4.48%
• YTD: 1.73%
• 6M: 4.20%
• 1Y: 24.89%
• 3Y*: 16.51%
• 5Y*: 10.14%
• 10Y*: 11.81%

FSNZX

• 1D: 2.99%
• 1M: -5.66%
• YTD: -0.38%
• 6M: 3.05%
• 1Y: 22.64%
• 3Y*: 16.60%
• 5Y*: 8.63%
• 10Y*: —

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

VSEQX vs. FSNZX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSEQX has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is lower than FSNZX's 0.65% expense ratio.

FSNZX

Fidelity Freedom 2045 Fund Class K

VSEQX

Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund

Return for Risk

VSEQX vs. FSNZX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSEQX

VSEQX Risk / Return Rank: 72
VSEQX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
VSEQX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
VSEQX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
VSEQX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VSEQX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

FSNZX

FSNZX Risk / Return Rank: 78
FSNZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
FSNZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
FSNZX Omega Ratio Rank: 77
FSNZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
FSNZX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

VSEQX vs. FSNZX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund (VSEQX) and Fidelity Freedom 2045 Fund Class K (FSNZX). 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.

	VSEQX	FSNZX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.22	1.46	-0.23
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.79	2.06	-0.28
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.31	-0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.79	1.89	-0.10
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.54	8.44	+0.10
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VSEQX vs. FSNZX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSEQX Sharpe Ratio is 1.22, which is comparable to the FSNZX Sharpe Ratio of 1.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSEQX and FSNZX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VSEQX	FSNZX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.22	1.46	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.58	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.65	-0.17

Correlation

The correlation between VSEQX and FSNZX is 0.89, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

VSEQX vs. FSNZX - Dividend Comparison

VSEQX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.97%, more than FSNZX's 4.43% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VSEQX Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund	10.97%	11.16%	11.36%	6.11%	11.77%	21.36%	1.77%	2.92%	10.34%	7.05%	3.13%	12.28%
FSNZX Fidelity Freedom 2045 Fund Class K	4.43%	4.41%	2.26%	1.99%	12.13%	12.05%	5.08%	6.60%	7.94%	2.87%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

VSEQX vs. FSNZX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSEQX drawdown since its inception was -63.55%, which is greater than FSNZX's maximum drawdown of -30.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSEQX and FSNZX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSEQX	FSNZX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.55%	-30.92%	-32.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.30%	-11.23%	-3.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.73%	-27.30%	+2.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.08%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.96%	-6.82%	+1.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.11%	-5.69%	-3.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.00%	2.51%	+0.49%

Volatility

VSEQX vs. FSNZX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund (VSEQX) is 6.00%, while Fidelity Freedom 2045 Fund Class K (FSNZX) has a volatility of 6.48%. This indicates that VSEQX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FSNZX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSEQX	FSNZX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.00%	6.48%	-0.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.71%	9.82%	+1.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.91%	16.14%	+4.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.00%	14.90%	+5.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.42%	15.98%	+5.44%