10 Best Fidelity Mutual Funds to Buy and Hold in 2026

This guide examines ten of the strongest Fidelity mutual fund
options for 2026, focusing on factors that genuinely matter for buy-and-hold
investors: expense ratios, historical performance consistency, portfolio
diversification, management quality, and suitability across market cycles. Each
fund has been selected based on widely reported data, Morningstar ratings, and
Fidelity’s own fund disclosures.

Quick Comparison: 10 Best Fidelity Mutual funds at a Glance

Fund Name	Ticker	Category	Expense Ratio	Min. Investment
Fidelity 500 Index Fund	FXAIX	Large-Cap Blend	0.015%	$0
Fidelity Total Market Index	FSKAX	Total U.S. Market	0.015%	$0
Fidelity Zero Total Market	FZROX	Total U.S. Market	0.00%	$0
Fidelity Contrafund	FCNTX	Large-Cap Growth	0.39%	$0
Fidelity Growth Company Fund	FDGRX	Large-Cap Growth	0.83%	$0
Fidelity Balanced Fund	FBALX	Balanced / Moderate	0.52%	$0
Fidelity International Index Fund	FSPSX	Foreign Large Blend	0.035%	$0
Fidelity U.S. Bond Index Fund	FXNAX	Intermediate-Term Bond	0.025%	$0
Fidelity Low-Priced Stock Fund	FLPSX	Mid-Cap Value	0.78%	$0
Fidelity Freedom Index 2050 Fund	FIPFX	Target-Date 2050	0.12%	$0

Why Choose Fidelity Mutual Funds?

Fidelity consistently ranks among the top fund families in the
United States for several reasons that are particularly relevant for long-term
investors:

• Zero-minimum investment on most retail mutual funds, making entry
  accessible for all income levels.
• Industry-leading low expense ratios, including the groundbreaking ZERO
  fund series with 0.00% fees.
• A robust research ecosystem with dedicated portfolio managers and
  quantitative analysts.
• Wide fund variety spanning passive index funds, actively managed equity
  funds, balanced funds, and target-date options.
• Strong institutional infrastructure and regulatory track record spanning
  decades.

How We Selected These Funds?

The following selection criteria were applied consistently when evaluating candidates for this list of best Fidelity mutual funds:

1.
Expense ratio competitiveness relative to category peers

2.
Consistency of risk-adjusted returns over 5-year and 10-year periods

3.
Morningstar rating of 3 stars or above (where applicable)

4.
Assets under management (AUM) signaling investor confidence and
liquidity

5.
Suitability for long-term, buy-and-hold investment strategies

6.
Diversification across U.S. equities, international exposure, fixed
income, and balanced strategies

1. Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX)

FXAIX is arguably the gold standard among Fidelity index funds
and one of the most widely recommended large-cap options for buy-and-hold
investors. It tracks the S&P 500 Index, providing exposure to approximately
500 of the largest U.S.-listed companies.

Attribute	Details
Ticker	FXAIX
Category	Large-Cap Blend
Expense Ratio	0.015%
AUM (approx.)	Over $570 billion
Minimum Investment	$0
Morningstar Rating	5 Stars (as of early 2026)
Benchmark	S&P 500 Index

With an expense ratio of just 0.015%, FXAIX is among the
cheapest S&P 500 funds available anywhere. Over a 30-year holding period,
even a 0.1% difference in fees can compound into tens of thousands of dollars,
which makes this fund particularly compelling.

Why It’s a Strong Buy-and-Hold Pick: FXAIX has consistently tracked the S&P 500 with minimal tracking error. It is broadly diversified across sectors and benefits from the long-term upward trajectory of the U.S. equity market. This fund may be appropriate as a core holding for investors with a time horizon of 10 years or more.

2. Fidelity Total Market Index Fund (FSKAX)

For investors who want broader domestic exposure beyond the
S&P 500, FSKAX extends coverage to the entire U.S. stock market, including small-cap
and mid-cap companies that FXAIX does not include.

Attribute	Details
Ticker	FSKAX
Category	Total U.S. Stock Market
Expense Ratio	0.015%
AUM (approx.)	Over $80 billion
Minimum Investment	$0
Morningstar Rating	4 Stars (as of early 2026)
Benchmark	Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index

FSKAX holds thousands of domestic equities, offering
significantly broader market coverage. Historically, total market funds have
performed comparably to pure S&P 500 funds while offering slightly greater
diversification through small- and mid-cap exposure.

3. Fidelity ZERO Total Market Index Fund
(FZROX)

FZROX is part of Fidelity’s pioneering ZERO fund lineup — the
first mutual funds in history to carry a 0.00% expense ratio. It tracks a
proprietary Fidelity index and offers total U.S. market exposure at no cost.

Attribute	Details
Ticker	FZROX
Category	Total U.S. Stock Market
Expense Ratio	0.00%
AUM (approx.)	Over $20 billion
Minimum Investment	$0
Morningstar Rating	4 Stars (as of early 2026)
Note	Only available directly through Fidelity (not transferable to other brokerages)

Important Note on ZERO Funds: FZROX uses a proprietary Fidelity index rather than a third-party benchmark. It is only available through Fidelity accounts and cannot be transferred in-kind to another brokerage. If portability is a concern, FSKAX may be a preferable alternative.

4. Fidelity Contrafund (FCNTX)

FCNTX is one of the most celebrated actively managed mutual
funds in the U.S. Managed for decades by legendary portfolio manager Will
Danoff, it focuses on large- and mid-cap growth companies that are generally
believed to be undervalued or underappreciated by the broader market.

Attribute	Details
Ticker	FCNTX
Category	Large-Cap Growth
Expense Ratio	0.39%
AUM (approx.)	Over $130 billion
Minimum Investment	$0
Morningstar Rating	4 Stars (as of early 2026)
Management Style	Active — Fundamental / Growth-Oriented

FCNTX has demonstrated a long track record of outperforming
its benchmark over many market cycles, though it naturally charges a higher
expense ratio than passive index funds. Investors should weigh whether the
potential for alpha generation justifies the additional cost relative to FXAIX
or FSKAX.

5. Fidelity Growth Company Fund (FDGRX)

FDGRX is an actively managed large-cap growth fund that
concentrates on companies with above-average earnings growth potential. It has
historically been one of Fidelity’s highest-performing actively managed funds
over long time horizons.

Attribute	Details
Ticker	FDGRX
Category	Large-Cap Growth
Expense Ratio	0.83%
AUM (approx.)	Over $25 billion
Minimum Investment	$0
Morningstar Rating	5 Stars (as of early 2026)
Risk Level	High — suitable for investors with long time horizons

The higher expense ratio relative to index funds reflects the
active management cost. FDGRX may appeal to growth-oriented investors who are
comfortable accepting higher volatility in exchange for greater return
potential over a 10- to 20-year holding period.

6. Fidelity Balanced Fund (FBALX)

For investors seeking a single fund that blends equity and
fixed-income exposure, FBALX typically maintains a roughly 60/40 allocation
between stocks and bonds. It is an actively managed fund designed for
moderate-risk investors.

Attribute	Details
Ticker	FBALX
Category	Balanced / Moderate Allocation
Expense Ratio	0.52%
AUM (approx.)	Over $40 billion
Minimum Investment	$0
Morningstar Rating	4 Stars (as of early 2026)
Typical Allocation	~60% equities, ~40% fixed income (may vary)

Best For: FBALX is generally well-suited for investors approaching retirement or those who prefer automatic rebalancing within a single fund. The blended approach may reduce portfolio volatility compared to a pure equity fund.

7. Fidelity International Index Fund
(FSPSX)

International diversification is often considered an important
component of a well-rounded long-term portfolio. FSPSX tracks the MSCI EAFE
Index, which covers developed markets in Europe, Australasia, and the Far East.

Attribute	Details
Ticker	FSPSX
Category	Foreign Large-Cap Blend
Expense Ratio	0.035%
AUM (approx.)	Over $20 billion
Minimum Investment	$0
Morningstar Rating	4 Stars (as of early 2026)
Benchmark	MSCI EAFE Index

At just 0.035%, FSPSX is one of the most cost-efficient
international index funds available. Pairing it with a domestic fund such as
FXAIX or FSKAX may provide broader global diversification across economic
cycles.

8. Fidelity U.S. Bond Index Fund (FXNAX)

Fixed-income exposure is a common element of diversified
long-term portfolios. FXNAX tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index,
providing broad exposure to U.S. investment-grade bonds including government,
corporate, and mortgage-backed securities.

Attribute	Details
Ticker	FXNAX
Category	Intermediate-Term Core Bond
Expense Ratio	0.025%
AUM (approx.)	Over $50 billion
Minimum Investment	$0
Morningstar Rating	4 Stars (as of early 2026)
Benchmark	Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

FXNAX generally serves as a portfolio stabilizer during equity
market downturns. While bond funds carry interest rate risk — meaning prices
typically decline when rates rise — they may provide income and reduce overall
portfolio volatility over longer holding periods.

9. Fidelity Low-Priced Stock Fund (FLPSX)

FLPSX is a distinctive actively managed fund that focuses on
companies with stock prices generally below a set threshold (historically $35
per share, though this may change). This approach naturally leads it to mid-cap
and value-oriented equities.

Attribute	Details
Ticker	FLPSX
Category	Mid-Cap Value
Expense Ratio	0.78%
AUM (approx.)	Over $25 billion
Minimum Investment	$0
Morningstar Rating	4 Stars (as of early 2026)
Management Style	Active — Value-Oriented

FLPSX has historically provided strong long-term returns
relative to its mid-cap value peers. The fund’s unconventional screening
approach may provide differentiated exposure compared to standard
market-cap-weighted index funds.

10. Fidelity Freedom Index 2050 Fund
(FIPFX)

Target-date funds simplify long-term investing by
automatically shifting the portfolio’s allocation from growth-oriented equities
toward more conservative fixed income as the target retirement date approaches.
FIPFX is built for investors expecting to retire around 2050.

Attribute	Details
Ticker	FIPFX
Category	Target-Date 2050
Expense Ratio	0.12%
AUM (approx.)	Over $10 billion
Minimum Investment	$0
Morningstar Rating	4 Stars (as of early 2026)
Glide Path	Gradually shifts from aggressive to conservative as 2050 approaches

Note on Target-Date Fund Selection: Fidelity offers Freedom Index funds for multiple target years (2030, 2035, 2040, 2045, 2050, 2055, 2060, and beyond). Investors should select the fund closest to their expected retirement date. These index-based funds generally carry lower fees than the actively managed Freedom fund series.

How to Build a Portfolio Using Best Fidelity
Mutual Funds?

One of the advantages of Fidelity’s fund lineup is the ability
to construct a diversified, low-cost portfolio using just a handful of funds.
Below are three commonly discussed portfolio approaches:

Simple Two-Fund Portfolio

•
80% FXAIX (U.S. Large-Cap Equities)

•
20% FXNAX (U.S. Bonds)

Three-Fund Portfolio (Global Diversification)

•
60% FSKAX (Total U.S. Market)

•
20% FSPSX (International Developed Markets)

•
20% FXNAX (U.S. Bonds)

Growth-Oriented Portfolio (Higher Risk Tolerance)

•
50% FXAIX or FSKAX (Core U.S. Equity)

•
20% FDGRX or FCNTX (Active Growth Overlay)

•
20% FSPSX (International Exposure)

•
10% FXNAX (Bond Buffer)

The appropriate allocation will vary depending on individual
risk tolerance, time horizon, tax situation, and financial goals. These example
portfolios are illustrative and are not intended as personalized financial
advice.

Expense Ratio Comparison: Passive vs.
Active Fidelity Funds

Fund	Ticker	Expense Ratio	Management Type
Fidelity ZERO Total Market	FZROX	0.00%	Passive (Proprietary Index)
Fidelity 500 Index Fund	FXAIX	0.015%	Passive (S&P 500)
Fidelity Total Market Index	FSKAX	0.015%	Passive (Total U.S. Market)
Fidelity U.S. Bond Index Fund	FXNAX	0.025%	Passive (Bond Index)
Fidelity International Index	FSPSX	0.035%	Passive (MSCI EAFE)
Fidelity Freedom Index 2050	FIPFX	0.12%	Passive (Target-Date)
Fidelity Contrafund	FCNTX	0.39%	Active (Growth)
Fidelity Balanced Fund	FBALX	0.52%	Active (Balanced)
Fidelity Low-Priced Stock Fund	FLPSX	0.78%	Active (Mid-Cap Value)
Fidelity Growth Company Fund	FDGRX	0.83%	Active (Growth)

Key Takeaways

Key Takeaways

Fidelity offers some of the lowest expense ratios in the industry,including zero-fee index funds through its ZERO fund lineup. FXAIX (Fidelity 500 Index Fund) is typically the best starting pointfor most long-term investors seeking broad U.S. equity exposure. Actively managed funds like FCNTX and FDGRX have historicallyoutperformed benchmarks, though past performance is not a guarantee. For a complete portfolio, combining U.S. equity, international, bond,and target-date funds may help balance risk and return. Fidelity requires no minimum investment on most retail mutual funds, making it accessible for new investors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the best fidelity mutual funds for beginners?

For most beginners, FXAIX (Fidelity 500 Index Fund) or FZROX
(Fidelity ZERO Total Market Index Fund) are generally considered excellent
starting points due to their extremely low fees, broad diversification, and
zero minimum investment requirements.

Are Fidelity ZERO funds truly
free?

Yes, Fidelity ZERO funds carry a 0.00% expense ratio. However,
they use proprietary Fidelity indexes and are only available through Fidelity
accounts. They cannot be transferred in-kind to other brokerages, which is a
portability consideration for some investors.

What is the difference between
Fidelity Freedom and Fidelity Freedom Index funds?

Fidelity Freedom funds are actively managed target-date funds
with higher expense ratios (typically 0.45%–0.75%). Fidelity Freedom Index
funds use a passive index-based approach with significantly lower fees
(typically around 0.12%), making them generally preferable for cost-conscious
long-term investors.

Can I hold multiple Fidelity
mutual funds in a single account?

Yes. Fidelity’s brokerage and retirement accounts (IRA, 401k)
generally allow you to hold multiple mutual funds simultaneously, enabling
diversification across asset classes within a single account.

How often should I rebalance a
portfolio of Fidelity mutual funds?

Many financial advisors suggest reviewing and potentially
rebalancing once or twice per year, or when any single allocation drifts more
than 5–10 percentage points from your target. Target-date funds handle this
automatically.

Are Fidelity mutual funds good
for retirement accounts like IRAs?

Fidelity mutual funds, including some of the best Fidelity mutual funds, are widely used in IRAs and 401(k) accounts. Low-expense passive index funds like FXAIX and FSKAX are particularly popular due to the compounding benefit of minimized fees over multi-decade holding periods.

What is the minimum investment
for Fidelity mutual funds?

Most Fidelity retail mutual funds, including all funds on this
list, carry a $0 minimum investment, making them accessible to investors at any
income level.

Conclusion

Choosing the right funds for a buy-and-hold strategy in 2026 generally comes down to aligning fund characteristics with your investment goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. For most investors, a core position in low-cost index funds such as FXAIX or FSKAX may form a strong foundation, potentially supplemented by international exposure through FSPSX, bond stabilization via FXNAX, and selective active management through proven funds like FCNTX or FDGRX. These selections highlight some of the best Fidelity mutual funds available today.

Fidelity’s unique advantage lies in its combination of institutional-quality fund management and some of the most competitive fee structures in the industry. With zero minimum investments across its lineup, Fidelity has made long-term investing genuinely accessible regardless of starting capital.

As always, it is advisable to consult a licensed financial advisor to determine which funds are most appropriate for your specific financial circumstances before making investment decisions.