QABA vs. AVUV

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

QABA (First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund) and AVUV (Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QABA is a Financials Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ OMX ABA Community Bank Index, while AVUV is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Avantis. QABA is passively managed, while AVUV is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, QABA returned 3.56%/yr vs 10.93%/yr for AVUV. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QABA charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for AVUV.

Performance

QABA vs. AVUV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund (QABA) and Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QABA achieves a 10.82% return, which is significantly lower than AVUV's 19.12% return.

QABA

• 1D: 1.62%
• 1M: 0.70%
• YTD: 10.82%
• 6M: 12.24%
• 1Y: 23.24%
• 3Y*: 18.41%
• 5Y*: 3.56%
• 10Y*: 7.05%

AVUV

• 1D: 0.92%
• 1M: 1.01%
• YTD: 19.12%
• 6M: 20.66%
• 1Y: 39.89%
• 3Y*: 19.63%
• 5Y*: 10.93%
• 10Y*: —

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

QABA vs. AVUV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
QABA First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund	10.82%	4.62%	14.49%	-2.18%	-9.01%	34.20%	-10.70%	9.21%
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	19.12%	7.44%	9.28%	22.82%	-4.91%	42.20%	6.43%	8.50%

Correlation

The correlation between QABA and AVUV is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2019	0.84

The correlation between QABA and AVUV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

QABA vs. AVUV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QABA	AVUV
Financial Services	99.7%	25.8%
Industrials	0.3%	13.9%
Basic Materials	-	4.9%
Communication Services	-	2.8%
Consumer Cyclical	-	18.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.5%
Energy	-	18.2%
Healthcare	-	4.2%
Real Estate	-	0.7%
Technology	-	7.0%
Utilities	-	0.1%

Return for Risk

QABA vs. AVUV — Risk / Return Rank

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

QABA

QABA Risk / Return Rank: 30
QABA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
QABA Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
QABA Omega Ratio Rank: 30
QABA Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
QABA Martin Ratio Rank: 29

AVUV

AVUV Risk / Return Rank: 73
AVUV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
AVUV Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
AVUV Omega Ratio Rank: 65
AVUV Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
AVUV Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

QABA vs. AVUV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund (QABA) and Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV). 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.

	QABA	AVUV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.04	2.29	-1.25
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.58	3.26	-1.68
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.40	-0.20
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.74	4.99	-3.25
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.33	14.84	-10.51
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QABA vs. AVUV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QABA Sharpe Ratio is 1.04, which is lower than the AVUV Sharpe Ratio of 2.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QABA and AVUV, 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

	QABA	AVUV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.04	2.29	-1.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.14	0.48	-0.35
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.25	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.35	0.56	-0.22

Drawdowns

QABA vs. AVUV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QABA drawdown since its inception was -49.30%, roughly equal to the maximum AVUV drawdown of -49.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QABA and AVUV.

Drawdown Indicators

	QABA	AVUV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.30%	-49.42%	+0.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.49%	-7.95%	-4.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.82%	-28.79%	+2.97%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.93%	-28.79%	-14.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.30%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.91%	-0.15%	-1.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.43%	-7.96%	-3.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.01%	2.67%	+2.34%

Volatility

QABA vs. AVUV - Volatility Comparison

First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund (QABA) has a higher volatility of 5.25% compared to Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) at 4.14%. This indicates that QABA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AVUV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QABA	AVUV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.25%	4.14%	+1.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.03%	11.28%	+3.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.40%	17.50%	+4.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.47%	22.73%	+3.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.69%	28.30%	+0.39%

QABA vs. AVUV - Expense Ratio Comparison

QABA has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than AVUV's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

QABA vs. AVUV - Dividend Comparison

QABA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.34%, more than AVUV's 1.28% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	1.28%	1.58%	1.61%	1.65%	1.74%	1.28%	1.21%	0.38%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QABA First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund	2.34%	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 QABA and AVUV in my portfolio?

QABA and AVUV have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QABA or AVUV?

QABA has higher volatility (5.25%) compared to AVUV (4.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QABA dropped -49.30% vs AVUV's -49.42%.

Which ETF is better, QABA or AVUV?

On 5-year performance, AVUV leads with 10.93% vs 3.56% for QABA. On fees, AVUV is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, AVUV has been the lower-risk option at 4.14%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QABA or AVUV?

Over the 5-year period, AVUV has performed better with a 10.93% return vs 3.56%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QABA or AVUV?

AVUV is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for QABA.

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

QABA has the higher dividend yield at 2.34%, compared with 1.28% for AVUV.

What is the main difference between QABA and AVUV?

QABA is categorized as Financials Equities, while AVUV is Small Cap Value Equities. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Avantis. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for QABA and 0.25% for AVUV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVUV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 1.04), 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.