FBDC vs. QABA

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

FBDC (FT Confluence BDC & Specialty Finance Income ETF) and QABA (First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund) are both Financials Equities funds from First Trust. FBDC is actively managed, while QABA is passively managed. Over the past year, FBDC returned -11.30% vs 27.04% for QABA. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FBDC charges 1.35%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for QABA.

Performance

FBDC vs. QABA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Confluence BDC & Specialty Finance Income ETF (FBDC) 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, FBDC achieves a -4.10% return, which is significantly lower than QABA's 24.78% return.

FBDC

• 1D: 1.74%
• 1M: 4.48%
• 6M: -6.58%
• YTD: -4.10%
• 1Y: -11.30%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QABA

• 1D: 2.81%
• 1M: 8.46%
• 6M: 18.65%
• YTD: 24.78%
• 1Y: 27.04%
• 3Y*: 21.69%
• 5Y*: 8.41%
• 10Y*: 8.30%

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

FBDC vs. QABA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
FBDC FT Confluence BDC & Specialty Finance Income ETF	-4.10%	-2.66%
QABA First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund	24.78%	5.61%

Correlation

The correlation between FBDC and QABA is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 30, 2025	0.44

Return for Risk

FBDC vs. QABA — Risk / Return Rank

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

FBDC

FBDC Risk / Return Rank: 4
FBDC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
FBDC Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
FBDC Omega Ratio Rank: 4
FBDC Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
FBDC Martin Ratio Rank: 5

QABA

QABA Risk / Return Rank: 45
QABA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
QABA Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
QABA Omega Ratio Rank: 43
QABA Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
QABA Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

FBDC vs. QABA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Confluence BDC & Specialty Finance Income ETF (FBDC) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	FBDC	QABA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.63	1.23	-1.86
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.80	1.80	-2.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.91	1.23	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.55	2.17	-2.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.93	5.51	-6.43

FBDC vs. QABA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FBDC Sharpe Ratio is -0.63, which is lower than the QABA Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FBDC 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.

Drawdowns

FBDC vs. QABA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FBDC drawdown since its inception was -20.60%, smaller than the maximum QABA drawdown of -49.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FBDC and QABA.

Drawdown Indicators

	FBDC	QABA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.60%	-49.30%	+28.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.60%	-12.49%	-8.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-25.82%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-42.93%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-49.30%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.29%	0.00%	-12.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.74%	-11.36%	+0.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.23%	4.92%	+7.31%

Volatility

FBDC vs. QABA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Confluence BDC & Specialty Finance Income ETF (FBDC) is 4.45%, while First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund (QABA) has a volatility of 5.54%. This indicates that FBDC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QABA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FBDC	QABA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.45%	5.54%	-1.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.59%	15.70%	-1.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.06%	22.06%	-4.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.86%	26.30%	-8.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.86%	28.58%	-10.72%

FBDC vs. QABA - Expense Ratio Comparison

FBDC has a 1.35% expense ratio, which is higher than QABA's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

FBDC vs. QABA - Dividend Comparison

FBDC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.99%, more than QABA's 2.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FBDC FT Confluence BDC & Specialty Finance Income ETF	11.99%	5.41%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QABA First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund	2.19%	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 FBDC and QABA in my portfolio?

FBDC and QABA have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FBDC or QABA?

QABA has higher volatility (5.54%) compared to FBDC (4.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FBDC dropped -20.60% vs QABA's -49.30%.

Which ETF is better, FBDC or QABA?

On 1-year performance, QABA leads with 27.04% vs -11.30% for FBDC. On fees, QABA is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, FBDC has been the lower-risk option at 4.45%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FBDC or QABA?

Over the 1-year period, QABA has performed better with a 27.04% return vs -11.30%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FBDC or QABA?

QABA is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 1.35% for FBDC.

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

FBDC has the higher dividend yield at 11.99%, compared with 2.19% for QABA.

What is the main difference between FBDC and QABA?

Their fees differ too: 1.35% for FBDC and 0.60% for QABA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QABA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.23 vs -0.63), 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.