VTINX vs. FFFAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VTINX (Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund) and FFFAX (Fidelity Freedom Income Fund) are both mutual funds - VTINX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Vanguard, while FFFAX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Fidelity. Over the past 10 years, VTINX returned 5.33%/yr vs 4.52%/yr for FFFAX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VTINX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for FFFAX.

Performance

VTINX vs. FFFAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund (VTINX) and Fidelity Freedom Income Fund (FFFAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

As of year-to-date, both investments have demonstrated similar returns, with VTINX at 4.69% and FFFAX at 4.69%. Over the past 10 years, VTINX has outperformed FFFAX with an annualized return of 5.33%, while FFFAX has yielded a comparatively lower 4.52% annualized return.

VTINX

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 2.12%
• YTD: 4.69%
• 6M: 4.90%
• 1Y: 12.16%
• 3Y*: 9.49%
• 5Y*: 4.28%
• 10Y*: 5.33%

FFFAX

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 1.29%
• YTD: 4.69%
• 6M: 5.28%
• 1Y: 11.38%
• 3Y*: 7.99%
• 5Y*: 3.17%
• 10Y*: 4.52%

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

VTINX vs. FFFAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTINX Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund	4.69%	11.31%	6.66%	10.66%	-12.75%	5.24%	10.02%	13.16%	-1.98%	7.46%
FFFAX Fidelity Freedom Income Fund	4.69%	10.42%	4.34%	8.18%	-11.33%	3.12%	8.93%	10.74%	-1.99%	8.21%

Correlation

The correlation between VTINX and FFFAX is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 28, 2003	0.91

The correlation between VTINX and FFFAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VTINX vs. FFFAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTINX

VTINX Risk / Return Rank: 72
VTINX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
VTINX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
VTINX Omega Ratio Rank: 77
VTINX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
VTINX Martin Ratio Rank: 68

FFFAX

FFFAX Risk / Return Rank: 72
FFFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
FFFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
FFFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 77
FFFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
FFFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

VTINX vs. FFFAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund (VTINX) and Fidelity Freedom Income Fund (FFFAX). 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.

	VTINX	FFFAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.52	2.48	+0.04
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.70	3.65	+0.06
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.51	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.97	3.10	-0.13
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.09	13.65	-0.56
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTINX vs. FFFAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTINX Sharpe Ratio is 2.52, which is comparable to the FFFAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTINX and FFFAX, 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

	VTINX	FFFAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.52	2.48	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71	0.59	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93	0.98	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.93	1.05	-0.12

Drawdowns

VTINX vs. FFFAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTINX drawdown since its inception was -19.96%, which is greater than FFFAX's maximum drawdown of -17.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTINX and FFFAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTINX	FFFAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.96%	-17.96%	-2.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.14%	-3.68%	-0.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.26%	-4.91%	-0.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.02%	-15.87%	-1.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-17.02%	-15.87%	-1.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.20%	-1.79%	-0.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.94%	0.83%	+0.11%

Volatility

VTINX vs. FFFAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund (VTINX) and Fidelity Freedom Income Fund (FFFAX) have volatilities of 1.77% and 1.85%, 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

	VTINX	FFFAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.77%	1.85%	-0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.02%	3.86%	+0.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.88%	4.57%	+0.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.07%	5.37%	+0.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.73%	4.64%	+1.09%

VTINX vs. FFFAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTINX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than FFFAX's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

VTINX vs. FFFAX - Dividend Comparison

VTINX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.80%, more than FFFAX's 2.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FFFAX Fidelity Freedom Income Fund	2.98%	3.29%	3.13%	2.92%	5.89%	6.12%	4.37%	3.65%	5.17%	3.74%	3.21%	3.28%
VTINX Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund	4.80%	5.02%	5.89%	4.01%	3.08%	8.63%	3.42%	2.62%	4.19%	1.56%	2.27%	3.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTINX and FFFAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, VTINX and FFFAX 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, VTINX or FFFAX?

FFFAX has higher volatility (1.85%) compared to VTINX (1.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTINX dropped -19.96% vs FFFAX's -17.96%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTINX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 2.48), 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.