FTXO vs. QABA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FTXO (First Trust Nasdaq Bank ETF) and QABA (First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund) are both Financials Equities funds from First Trust - FTXO tracks the NASDAQ US Banks Index while QABA tracks the NASDAQ OMX ABA Community Bank Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FTXO returned 5.35%/yr vs 3.09%/yr for QABA. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.60% expense ratio.

Performance

FTXO vs. QABA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq Bank ETF (FTXO) 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, FTXO achieves a 0.81% return, which is significantly lower than QABA's 8.16% return.

FTXO

• 1D: -1.34%
• 1M: -0.87%
• YTD: 0.81%
• 6M: 4.64%
• 1Y: 23.41%
• 3Y*: 24.18%
• 5Y*: 5.35%
• 10Y*: —

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)

FTXO vs. QABA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTXO First Trust Nasdaq Bank ETF	0.81%	21.32%	29.05%	0.05%	-17.93%	40.53%	-12.53%	30.11%	-21.79%	14.25%
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 FTXO and QABA is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 10, 2016	0.90

The correlation between FTXO and QABA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

FTXO vs. QABA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTXO	QABA
Financial Services	100.0%	99.7%
Technology	0.4%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	0.3%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FTXO vs. QABA — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTXO

FTXO Risk / Return Rank: 30
FTXO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
FTXO Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
FTXO Omega Ratio Rank: 30
FTXO Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
FTXO Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

FTXO vs. QABA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Bank ETF (FTXO) 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.

	FTXO	QABA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.13	0.83	+0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.62	1.30	+0.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.16	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.41	1.49	-0.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.90	3.69	+0.21
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTXO vs. QABA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTXO Sharpe Ratio is 1.13, which is higher than the QABA Sharpe Ratio of 0.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTXO 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

	FTXO	QABA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.13	0.83	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20	0.12	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.24	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.34	-0.03

Drawdowns

FTXO vs. QABA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTXO drawdown since its inception was -55.26%, which is greater than QABA's maximum drawdown of -49.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTXO and QABA.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTXO	QABA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.26%	-49.30%	-5.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.69%	-12.49%	-4.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.84%	-25.82%	-0.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.55%	-42.93%	-3.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-49.30%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.10%	-4.25%	-3.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.88%	-11.43%	-4.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.01%	5.02%	+0.99%

Volatility

FTXO vs. QABA - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Nasdaq Bank ETF (FTXO) and First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund (QABA) have volatilities of 5.69% and 5.63%, 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

	FTXO	QABA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.69%	5.63%	+0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.46%	15.22%	+0.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.80%	22.50%	-1.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.01%	26.50%	+0.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.98%	28.69%	+1.29%

FTXO vs. QABA - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both FTXO and QABA have an expense ratio of 0.60%.

Dividends

FTXO vs. QABA - Dividend Comparison

FTXO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.78%, less than QABA's 2.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTXO First Trust Nasdaq Bank ETF	1.78%	1.92%	2.18%	3.20%	2.94%	1.64%	2.74%	2.53%	3.51%	1.09%	0.16%	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 FTXO and QABA in my portfolio?

FTXO and QABA have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTXO or QABA?

FTXO has higher volatility (5.69%) compared to QABA (5.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTXO dropped -55.26% vs QABA's -49.30%.

Which ETF is better, FTXO or QABA?

On 5-year performance, FTXO leads with 5.35% vs 3.09% for QABA. Both ETFs have the same 0.60% expense ratio. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTXO or QABA?

Over the 5-year period, FTXO has performed better with a 5.35% return vs 3.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTXO or QABA?

FTXO and QABA have the same expense ratio: 0.60% per year.

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

QABA has the higher dividend yield at 2.40%, compared with 1.78% for FTXO.

What is the main difference between FTXO and QABA?

FTXO tracks NASDAQ US Banks Index, while QABA tracks NASDAQ OMX ABA Community Bank Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTXO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.13 vs 0.83), 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.