BDCZ vs. QABA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BDCZ (ETRACS MVIS Business Development Companies Index ETN) and QABA (First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund) are both Financials Equities funds - BDCZ tracks the BDCZ-US - MVIS US Business Development Companies Index while QABA tracks the NASDAQ OMX ABA Community Bank Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BDCZ returned 6.23%/yr vs 6.80%/yr for QABA. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BDCZ charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for QABA.

Performance

BDCZ vs. QABA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ETRACS MVIS Business Development Companies Index ETN (BDCZ) and First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund (QABA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BDCZ achieves a -7.98% return, which is significantly lower than QABA's 8.16% return. Over the past 10 years, BDCZ has underperformed QABA with an annualized return of 6.23%, while QABA has yielded a comparatively higher 6.80% annualized return.

BDCZ

• 1D: -2.73%
• 1M: -7.44%
• YTD: -7.98%
• 6M: -8.99%
• 1Y: -10.32%
• 3Y*: 4.75%
• 5Y*: 3.38%
• 10Y*: 6.23%

QABA

• 1D: -2.39%
• 1M: -0.32%
• YTD: 8.16%
• 6M: 7.37%
• 1Y: 18.48%
• 3Y*: 17.46%
• 5Y*: 3.09%
• 10Y*: 6.80%

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

BDCZ vs. QABA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BDCZ ETRACS MVIS Business Development Companies Index ETN	-7.98%	-3.72%	12.22%	25.31%	-9.12%	33.97%	-10.95%	26.00%	-7.64%	0.40%
QABA First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund	8.16%	4.62%	14.49%	-2.18%	-9.01%	34.20%	-10.70%	22.85%	-16.47%	0.75%

Correlation

The correlation between BDCZ and QABA is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.38
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.48
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 12, 2015	0.44

The correlation between BDCZ and QABA shifts across timeframes, from 0.38 (1 year) to 0.54 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BDCZ vs. QABA — Risk / Return Rank

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

BDCZ

BDCZ Risk / Return Rank: 4
BDCZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
BDCZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
BDCZ Omega Ratio Rank: 4
BDCZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
BDCZ Martin Ratio Rank: 4

QABA

QABA Risk / Return Rank: 26
QABA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
QABA Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
QABA Omega Ratio Rank: 24
QABA Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
QABA Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

BDCZ vs. QABA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ETRACS MVIS Business Development Companies Index ETN (BDCZ) and First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund (QABA). 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.

	BDCZ	QABA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.51	0.83	-1.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.59	1.30	-1.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.93	1.16	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.52	1.49	-2.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.95	3.69	-4.64
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BDCZ vs. QABA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BDCZ Sharpe Ratio is -0.51, which is lower than the QABA Sharpe Ratio of 0.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BDCZ and QABA, 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

	BDCZ	QABA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.51	0.83	-1.33
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.19	0.12	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29	0.24	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.27	0.34	-0.07

Drawdowns

BDCZ vs. QABA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BDCZ drawdown since its inception was -55.63%, which is greater than QABA's maximum drawdown of -49.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BDCZ and QABA.

Drawdown Indicators

	BDCZ	QABA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.63%	-49.30%	-6.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.95%	-12.49%	-7.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.77%	-25.82%	+5.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.12%	-42.93%	+19.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-55.63%	-49.30%	-6.33%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-17.27%	-4.25%	-13.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.86%	-11.43%	+3.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.94%	5.02%	+5.92%

Volatility

BDCZ vs. QABA - Volatility Comparison

ETRACS MVIS Business Development Companies Index ETN (BDCZ) has a higher volatility of 8.37% compared to First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund (QABA) at 5.63%. This indicates that BDCZ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QABA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BDCZ	QABA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.37%	5.63%	+2.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.17%	15.22%	+1.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.42%	22.50%	-2.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.80%	26.50%	-8.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.73%	28.69%	-6.96%

BDCZ vs. QABA - Expense Ratio Comparison

BDCZ has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than QABA's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

BDCZ vs. QABA - Dividend Comparison

BDCZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.28%, more than QABA's 2.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BDCZ ETRACS MVIS Business Development Companies Index ETN	11.28%	10.65%	9.26%	9.13%	9.39%	7.49%	10.01%	8.40%	9.66%	8.74%	7.98%	0.00%
QABA First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund	2.40%	2.52%	2.37%	2.71%	2.10%	1.68%	2.55%	1.95%	1.90%	1.42%	1.13%	1.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BDCZ and QABA in my portfolio?

BDCZ and QABA have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BDCZ or QABA?

BDCZ has higher volatility (8.37%) compared to QABA (5.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BDCZ dropped -55.63% vs QABA's -49.30%.

Which ETF is better, BDCZ or QABA?

On 10-year performance, QABA leads with 6.80% vs 6.23% for BDCZ. On fees, QABA is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, QABA has been the lower-risk option at 5.63%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BDCZ or QABA?

Over the 10-year period, QABA has performed better with a 6.80% return vs 6.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BDCZ or QABA?

QABA is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for BDCZ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BDCZ or QABA?

BDCZ has the higher dividend yield at 11.28%, compared with 2.40% for QABA.

What is the main difference between BDCZ and QABA?

BDCZ tracks BDCZ-US - MVIS US Business Development Companies Index, while QABA tracks NASDAQ OMX ABA Community Bank Index. They also come from different issuers: UBS and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for BDCZ and 0.60% for QABA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QABA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.83 vs -0.51), 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.