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KRE vs. QABA
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

KRE vs. QABA

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

KRE (SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF) and QABA (First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund) are both Financials Equities funds - KRE tracks the S&P Regional Banks Select Industry Index while QABA tracks the NASDAQ OMX ABA Community Bank Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, KRE returned 9.59%/yr vs 8.33%/yr for QABA. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. KRE charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for QABA.

Performance

KRE vs. QABA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (KRE) and First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund (QABA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KRE achieves a 14.14% return, which is significantly lower than QABA's 16.85% return. Over the past 10 years, KRE has outperformed QABA with an annualized return of 9.59%, while QABA has yielded a comparatively lower 8.33% annualized return.

KRE

1D
1.57%
1M
6.02%
YTD
14.14%
6M
10.96%
1Y
29.42%
3Y*
26.19%
5Y*
4.63%
10Y*
9.59%

QABA

1D
1.68%
1M
5.99%
YTD
16.85%
6M
13.71%
1Y
26.59%
3Y*
22.25%
5Y*
5.53%
10Y*
8.33%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

KRE vs. QABA - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
KRE
SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF		14.14%10.21%18.58%-7.61%-15.08%39.29%-7.43%27.44%-18.81%7.49%
QABA
First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund		16.85%4.62%14.49%-2.18%-9.01%34.20%-10.70%22.85%-16.47%0.75%

Correlation

The correlation between KRE and QABA is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.97

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.97

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.97

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.97

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 1, 2009

0.94

The correlation between KRE and QABA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

KRE vs. QABA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
KRE
QABA

Financial Services

100.0%
99.7%

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Industrials

-

0.3%

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Financial Services

KRE
100.0%
QABA
99.7%

Basic Materials

KRE

-

QABA

-

Communication Services

KRE

-

QABA

-

Consumer Cyclical

KRE

-

QABA

-

Consumer Defensive

KRE

-

QABA

-

Energy

KRE

-

QABA

-

Healthcare

KRE

-

QABA

-

Industrials

KRE

-

QABA
0.3%

Real Estate

KRE

-

QABA

-

Technology

KRE

-

QABA

-

Utilities

KRE

-

QABA

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF

First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund

Often compared with KRE:
KRE vs. XLFKRE vs. KBEKRE vs. KBWBKRE vs. DPSTKRE vs. IATKRE vs. VFHKRE vs. VOO
Often compared with QABA:
QABA vs. FISVXQABA vs. QQQQABA vs. VFHQABA vs. IAKQABA vs. FXAIXQABA vs. TIMEQABA vs. EUFN

Return for Risk

KRE vs. QABA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
KRE
KRE Risk / Return Rank: 3737
Overall Rank
KRE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3737
Sharpe Ratio Rank
KRE Sortino Ratio Rank: 3636
Sortino Ratio Rank
KRE Omega Ratio Rank: 3838
Omega Ratio Rank
KRE Calmar Ratio Rank: 4141
Calmar Ratio Rank
KRE Martin Ratio Rank: 3535
Martin Ratio Rank
QABA
QABA Risk / Return Rank: 3838
Overall Rank
QABA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3535
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QABA Sortino Ratio Rank: 3636
Sortino Ratio Rank
QABA Omega Ratio Rank: 3636
Omega Ratio Rank
QABA Calmar Ratio Rank: 4646
Calmar Ratio Rank
QABA Martin Ratio Rank: 3737
Martin Ratio Rank
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. QABA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

KREQABADifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.27
1.19

+0.08

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.81
1.75

+0.06

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.24

1.23

+0.01

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.98

2.14

-0.16

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

5.13

5.34

-0.21

KRE vs. QABA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KRE Sharpe Ratio is 1.27, which is comparable to the QABA Sharpe Ratio of 1.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KRE 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.

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Drawdowns

KRE vs. QABA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KRE drawdown since its inception was -68.54%, which is greater than QABA's maximum drawdown of -49.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KRE and QABA.

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Drawdown Indicators

KREQABADifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-68.54%

-49.30%

-19.24%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-14.95%

-12.49%

-2.46%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-28.20%

-25.82%

-2.38%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-52.69%

-42.93%

-9.76%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-54.92%

-49.30%

-5.62%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-21.85%

-11.40%

-10.45%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

5.75%

4.99%

+0.76%

Volatility

KRE vs. QABA - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (KRE) and First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund (QABA) have volatilities of 6.34% and 6.08%, 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.

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Volatility by Period

KREQABADifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.34%

6.08%

+0.26%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

16.05%

15.48%

+0.57%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

23.33%

22.55%

+0.78%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

29.85%

26.39%

+3.46%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

31.85%

28.64%

+3.21%

KRE vs. QABA - Expense Ratio Comparison

KRE has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than QABA's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

KRE vs. QABA - Dividend Comparison

KRE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.19%, less than QABA's 2.22% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
KRE
SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF		2.19%2.45%2.59%2.99%2.51%1.97%2.78%2.21%2.48%1.40%1.40%1.80%
QABA
First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund		2.22%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

With a correlation of 0.97, KRE and QABA move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

KRE has higher volatility (6.34%) compared to QABA (6.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KRE dropped -68.54% vs QABA's -49.30%.

On 10-year performance, KRE leads with 9.59% vs 8.33% for QABA. On fees, KRE is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, QABA has been the lower-risk option at 6.08%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, KRE has performed better with a 9.59% return vs 8.33%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

KRE is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for QABA.

QABA has the higher dividend yield at 2.22%, compared with 2.19% for KRE.

KRE tracks S&P Regional Banks Select Industry Index, while QABA tracks NASDAQ OMX ABA Community Bank Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for KRE and 0.60% for QABA.

KRE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.27 vs 1.19), 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.

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