KRE vs. IAK

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

KRE (SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF) and IAK (iShares U.S. Insurance ETF) are both Financials Equities funds - KRE tracks the S&P Regional Banks Select Industry Index while IAK tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Select Insurance Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, KRE returned 7.80%/yr vs 11.66%/yr for IAK. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. KRE charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for IAK.

Performance

KRE vs. IAK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (KRE) and iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (IAK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KRE achieves a 5.35% return, which is significantly higher than IAK's -4.56% return. Over the past 10 years, KRE has underperformed IAK with an annualized return of 7.80%, while IAK has yielded a comparatively higher 11.66% annualized return.

KRE

• 1D: -2.39%
• 1M: -1.61%
• YTD: 5.35%
• 6M: 6.27%
• 1Y: 21.36%
• 3Y*: 20.63%
• 5Y*: 1.92%
• 10Y*: 7.80%

IAK

• 1D: -0.88%
• 1M: -2.27%
• YTD: -4.56%
• 6M: -1.81%
• 1Y: -4.16%
• 3Y*: 16.73%
• 5Y*: 11.50%
• 10Y*: 11.66%

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

KRE vs. IAK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
KRE SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF	5.35%	10.21%	18.58%	-7.61%	-15.08%	39.29%	-7.43%	27.44%	-18.81%	7.49%
IAK iShares U.S. Insurance ETF	-4.56%	9.50%	28.25%	11.28%	11.33%	26.84%	-2.86%	25.94%	-11.48%	14.18%

Correlation

The correlation between KRE and IAK is 0.51, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.51
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.51
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 23, 2006	0.74

Over the past year, the correlation between KRE and IAK has dropped to 0.51 - well below their long-term average of 0.74, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

KRE vs. IAK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	KRE	IAK
Financial Services	100.0%	99.5%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	0.5%
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

KRE vs. IAK — Risk / Return Rank

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

KRE

KRE Risk / Return Rank: 26
KRE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
KRE Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
KRE Omega Ratio Rank: 26
KRE Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
KRE Martin Ratio Rank: 26

IAK

IAK Risk / Return Rank: 5
IAK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
IAK Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
IAK Omega Ratio Rank: 5
IAK Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
IAK Martin Ratio Rank: 3

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.

KRE vs. IAK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (KRE) and iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (IAK). 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.

	KRE	IAK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.92	-0.28	+1.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.39	-0.29	+1.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	0.97	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.44	-0.55	+1.98
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.72	-1.14	+4.86
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

KRE vs. IAK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KRE Sharpe Ratio is 0.92, which is higher than the IAK Sharpe Ratio of -0.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KRE and IAK, 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

	KRE	IAK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.92	-0.28	+1.20
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.06	0.64	-0.58
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.24	0.56	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.13	0.26	-0.13

Drawdowns

KRE vs. IAK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KRE drawdown since its inception was -68.54%, smaller than the maximum IAK drawdown of -77.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KRE and IAK.

Drawdown Indicators

	KRE	IAK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.54%	-77.38%	+8.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.95%	-7.62%	-7.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.20%	-11.58%	-16.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-52.69%	-14.76%	-37.93%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-54.92%	-44.95%	-9.97%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.27%	-5.82%	-1.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.90%	-16.13%	-5.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.75%	3.96%	+1.79%

Volatility

KRE vs. IAK - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (KRE) has a higher volatility of 6.14% compared to iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (IAK) at 3.82%. This indicates that KRE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IAK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KRE	IAK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.14%	3.82%	+2.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.84%	9.98%	+5.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.37%	14.77%	+8.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.98%	18.07%	+11.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.92%	20.89%	+11.03%

KRE vs. IAK - Expense Ratio Comparison

KRE has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than IAK's 0.43% expense ratio.

Dividends

KRE vs. IAK - Dividend Comparison

KRE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.32%, less than IAK's 2.76% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IAK iShares U.S. Insurance ETF	2.76%	1.69%	1.49%	1.44%	1.69%	2.26%	2.07%	1.84%	2.33%	1.62%	1.68%	1.62%
KRE SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF	2.32%	2.45%	2.59%	2.99%	2.51%	1.97%	2.78%	2.21%	2.48%	1.40%	1.40%	1.80%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KRE and IAK in my portfolio?

KRE and IAK have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KRE or IAK?

KRE has higher volatility (6.14%) compared to IAK (3.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KRE dropped -68.54% vs IAK's -77.38%.

Which ETF is better, KRE or IAK?

On 10-year performance, IAK leads with 11.66% vs 7.80% for KRE. On fees, KRE is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, IAK has been the lower-risk option at 3.82%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KRE or IAK?

Over the 10-year period, IAK has performed better with a 11.66% return vs 7.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KRE or IAK?

KRE is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.43% for IAK.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, KRE or IAK?

IAK has the higher dividend yield at 2.76%, compared with 2.32% for KRE.

What is the main difference between KRE and IAK?

KRE tracks S&P Regional Banks Select Industry Index, while IAK tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Insurance Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for KRE and 0.43% for IAK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KRE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.92 vs -0.28), 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.