KRE vs. QABA

Last updated Jun 4, 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 7.80%/yr vs 6.80%/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.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KRE achieves a 5.35% return, which is significantly lower than QABA's 8.16% return. Over the past 10 years, KRE has outperformed QABA with an annualized return of 7.80%, while QABA has yielded a comparatively lower 6.80% 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%

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)

KRE vs. QABA - 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%
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 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 2, 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	-	-

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: 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

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.

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.

	KRE	QABA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.92	0.83	+0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.39	1.30	+0.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.16	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.44	1.49	-0.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.72	3.69	+0.03
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. QABA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KRE Sharpe Ratio is 0.92, which is comparable to the QABA Sharpe Ratio of 0.83. 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	KRE	QABA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.92	0.83	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.06	0.12	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.24	0.24	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.13	0.34	-0.21

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.

Drawdown Indicators

	KRE	QABA	Difference
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	-7.27%	-4.25%	-3.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.90%	-11.43%	-10.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.75%	5.02%	+0.73%

Volatility

KRE vs. QABA - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (KRE) has a higher volatility of 6.14% compared to First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund (QABA) at 5.63%. This indicates that KRE'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

	KRE	QABA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.14%	5.63%	+0.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.84%	15.22%	+0.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.37%	22.50%	+0.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.98%	26.50%	+3.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.92%	28.69%	+3.23%

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 2.32%, less than QABA's 2.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
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 KRE and QABA in my portfolio?

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.

Which is riskier, KRE or QABA?

KRE has higher volatility (6.14%) compared to QABA (5.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KRE dropped -68.54% vs QABA's -49.30%.

Which ETF is better, KRE or QABA?

On 10-year performance, KRE leads with 7.80% vs 6.80% for QABA. On fees, KRE is cheaper at 0.35% 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, KRE or QABA?

Over the 10-year period, KRE has performed better with a 7.80% return vs 6.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KRE or QABA?

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

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

QABA has the higher dividend yield at 2.40%, compared with 2.32% for KRE.

What is the main difference between KRE and QABA?

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.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KRE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.92 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.