If you’re serious about building long-term wealth passively and steadily, Fidelity’s index funds are among the smartest options available. Known for ultra-low fees, broad diversification, and excellent tracking performance, these funds make it easy for anyone—from beginners to seasoned investors—to ride the wave of long-term market growth without paying active management premiums.
🔍 Why Fidelity Index Funds Deserve Your Attention
✅ Zero Expense Ratio Funds – Fidelity pioneered no-fee index funds
✅ Trusted Brand – With over $4.5 trillion in AUM, it’s a financial powerhouse
✅ Low Turnover – Most funds are tax-efficient
✅ Wide Selection – US, international, small-cap, bond, and sector-specific options
✅ Investor-Centric Philosophy – Transparent, simple, long-term focused
📈 Top Fidelity Index Funds to Hold for the Next 10 Years
Here are 5 Fidelity Index Funds with high potential for compounding, broad market exposure, and low cost—tailored to diverse investment goals.
1️⃣ Fidelity ZERO Total Market Index Fund (FZROX)
💼 Ideal For: Core U.S. market exposure at zero cost
Expense Ratio: 0.00%
Category: Total U.S. Stock Market
Dividend Yield: ~1.3%
Risk Level: Moderate
📌 Why Hold for 10 Years?
-
Includes large-, mid-, and small-cap U.S. stocks
-
Built for long-term appreciation of the entire U.S. economy
-
Zero fees = better compounding over time
-
Historically, total market funds outperform managed funds in most decades
Best For: Young investors, FIRE followers, or anyone building a long-term base.
2️⃣ Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX)
💼 Ideal For: S&P 500 exposure
Expense Ratio: 0.015%
Category: Large-Cap U.S. Stocks
Dividend Yield: ~1.5%
Risk Level: Low to Moderate
📌 Why Hold for 10 Years?
-
Tracks the S&P 500—the 500 most valuable U.S. companies
-
Proven long-term CAGR of 10%+ over decades
-
Highly liquid and tax-efficient
-
Well-diversified across all sectors (Tech, Healthcare, Financials)
Best For: Retirement portfolios, passive investors, and 401(k) holders.
3️⃣ Fidelity ZERO International Index Fund (FZILX)
💼 Ideal For: Non-U.S. market diversification
Expense Ratio: 0.00%
Category: International Stocks (Developed & Emerging)
Dividend Yield: ~2%
Risk Level: Moderate to High
📌 Why Hold for 10 Years?
-
Global economic growth is accelerating in Asia, Europe, and Latin America
-
Emerging markets may outperform the U.S. in the coming decade
-
Helps reduce overconcentration in U.S. equities
-
No expense ratio means better margin over time
Best For: Diversified portfolios and global investors.
4️⃣ Fidelity U.S. Bond Index Fund (FXNAX)
💼 Ideal For: Stability and income
Expense Ratio: 0.025%
Category: Intermediate-Term Bond
Yield: ~4.3% (as of 2025)
Risk Level: Low
📌 Why Hold for 10 Years?
-
Diversified across U.S. Treasury, corporate, and mortgage bonds
-
Acts as a cushion during equity downturns
-
Likely to benefit from falling interest rates post-2025
-
Adds stability to retirement and conservative portfolios
Best For: Conservative investors, retirees, and bond allocations.
5️⃣ Fidelity NASDAQ Composite Index Fund (FNCMX)
💼 Ideal For: Tech-focused growth exposure
Expense Ratio: 0.29%
Category: Tech-heavy growth
Dividend Yield: ~0.9%
Risk Level: High
📌 Why Hold for 10 Years?
-
Tracks NASDAQ Composite, including growth stocks like Apple, Amazon, NVIDIA
-
Perfect for long-term technology and innovation exposure
-
While volatile, it historically delivers outsized returns
-
Ideal for investors willing to handle short-term risk for long-term gain
Best For: Aggressive investors and tech believers.
📊 Fund Comparison Table
Fund | Ticker | Expense Ratio | Focus | Risk | Dividend Yield | Best For |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fidelity ZERO Total Market | FZROX | 0.00% | Total U.S. | 🟡 Moderate | 1.3% | Core Portfolio |
Fidelity 500 Index | FXAIX | 0.015% | S&P 500 | 🟢 Low-Mod | 1.5% | Retirement / S&P Exposure |
Fidelity ZERO International | FZILX | 0.00% | Global | 🔴 Moderate-High | 2.0% | International Diversification |
Fidelity Bond Index | FXNAX | 0.025% | Bonds | 🟢 Low | 4.3% | Income / Stability |
Fidelity NASDAQ Composite | FNCMX | 0.29% | Growth / Tech | 🔴 High | 0.9% | Long-Term Tech Exposure |

📌 How to Build a Long-Term Portfolio with These Funds
Here’s a model allocation for a 10-year horizon investor:
🎯 Balanced Growth Portfolio (Age 30–45)
Fund | Allocation |
---|---|
FZROX | 35% |
FXAIX | 25% |
FZILX | 15% |
FNCMX | 15% |
FXNAX | 10% |
✅ This setup gives you:
-
80% equity exposure across U.S., tech, and global stocks
-
10% bonds for balance
-
Zero to ultra-low cost with high diversification
-
Long-term growth + income potential
🧠 Why These Fidelity Funds Make Sense for the Next Decade
-
Secular Trends Favor Passive Indexing
The shift away from active funds continues. Low-cost, passive strategies are eating market share—and delivering better long-term results. -
Tech Will Continue Dominating
AI, robotics, automation, and green energy will fuel NASDAQ-style returns, making FNCMX a growth vehicle. -
Global Catch-Up
Non-U.S. markets are cheaper relative to U.S. equities. FZILX gives exposure to that upside. -
Fixed Income Rebound
With interest rate normalization expected between 2026–2028, bond funds like FXNAX can benefit from capital appreciation as rates decline.
🧠 Expert Tip 💬
“It’s not about timing the market. It’s about time in the market. Fidelity’s low-fee index funds let you stay invested long-term without worrying about fees eating into your gains.”
— A Smart Long-Term Investor’s Motto
📋 Final Thoughts
🔑 Simplicity Wins in investing. These Fidelity funds offer:
-
✅ Maximum diversification
-
✅ Near-zero fees
-
✅ Strong historical performance
-
✅ Alignment with future economic trends
If you want to build real wealth in the next 10 years, stop guessing and start compounding. These funds give you low-maintenance, high-confidence exposure to the very forces shaping the world economy.
❓ Top 10 FAQs
1. Are Fidelity index funds good for long-term investing?
Yes—especially due to their low fees and broad diversification.
2. What’s the best Fidelity fund for beginners?
FZROX or FXAIX are great starting points.
3. Can I hold these funds in a Roth IRA?
Absolutely—and you should if you’re aiming for tax-free growth.
4. Are zero-fee Fidelity funds really zero cost?
Yes. FZROX and FZILX have 0.00% expense ratios and no hidden costs.
5. Is now a good time to invest in index funds?
Always. Long-term investing works best when you start early and stay consistent.
6. Are these funds actively managed?
No—they track indexes passively.
7. Can I use these funds to build a retirement portfolio?
Yes. They’re ideal for retirement, 401(k), and IRAs.
8. What’s the risk in holding NASDAQ-focused funds like FNCMX?
Higher volatility, but also higher potential returns over 10+ years.
9. Should I rebalance my portfolio?
Yes—ideally once or twice a year.
10. Do these funds pay dividends?
Yes—FXAIX, FZROX, and FXNAX pay regular dividends.
⚠️ Disclaimer
This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or tax advice. The content is based on personal analysis and is 100% original, not sourced from third-party financial institutions. Investing involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. Always conduct your own due diligence or consult with a licensed financial advisor or tax professional before making investment decisions. Fidelity Investments is used here as a reference for publicly available fund offerings and is not affiliated with this content. Past performance does not guarantee future results.