QABA vs. CMDT
QABA (First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund) and CMDT (PIMCO Commodity Strategy Active Exchange-Traded Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - QABA is a Financials Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ OMX ABA Community Bank Index, while CMDT is a Commodities fund tracking the Bloomberg Roll Select Commodity Total Return Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, QABA returned 22.25%/yr vs 12.77%/yr for CMDT. At a 0.01 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QABA charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for CMDT.
Performance
QABA vs. CMDT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QABA achieves a 16.85% return, which is significantly higher than CMDT's 13.43% return.
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%
CMDT
- 1D
- -1.14%
- 1M
- -8.86%
- YTD
- 13.43%
- 6M
- 13.42%
- 1Y
- 21.34%
- 3Y*
- 12.77%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
QABA vs. CMDT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
QABA First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund | 16.85% | 4.62% | 14.49% | 41.15% |
CMDT PIMCO Commodity Strategy Active Exchange-Traded Fund | 13.43% | 12.78% | 6.93% | 5.37% |
Correlation
The correlation between QABA and CMDT is -0.15, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.15 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.02 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 10, 2023 | 0.01 |
The correlation between QABA and CMDT shifts across timeframes, from -0.15 (1 year) to 0.01 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
QABA vs. CMDT — Risk / Return Rank
QABA
CMDT
QABA vs. CMDT - 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 PIMCO Commodity Strategy Active Exchange-Traded Fund (CMDT). 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.
| QABA | CMDT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.52 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.64 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.29 | -0.07 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.14 | 1.93 | +0.21 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.34 | 9.62 | -4.28 |
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Drawdowns
QABA vs. CMDT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QABA drawdown since its inception was -49.30%, which is greater than CMDT's maximum drawdown of -11.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QABA and CMDT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QABA | CMDT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -49.30% | -11.11% | -38.19% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.49% | -11.11% | -1.38% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -25.82% | -11.11% | -14.71% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -42.93% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -49.30% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -11.11% | +11.11% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.40% | -2.77% | -8.63% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.99% | 2.25% | +2.74% |
Volatility
QABA vs. CMDT - Volatility Comparison
First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund (QABA) has a higher volatility of 6.08% compared to PIMCO Commodity Strategy Active Exchange-Traded Fund (CMDT) at 3.26%. This indicates that QABA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CMDT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| QABA | CMDT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.08% | 3.26% | +2.82% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.48% | 10.60% | +4.88% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.55% | 12.65% | +9.90% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 26.39% | 12.24% | +14.15% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 28.64% | 12.24% | +16.40% |
QABA vs. CMDT - Expense Ratio Comparison
QABA has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than CMDT's 0.65% expense ratio.
Dividends
QABA vs. CMDT - Dividend Comparison
QABA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.22%, less than CMDT's 2.67% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CMDT PIMCO Commodity Strategy Active Exchange-Traded Fund | 2.67% | 3.04% | 8.80% | 2.71% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
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
QABA and CMDT have a correlation of -0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
QABA has higher volatility (6.08%) compared to CMDT (3.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QABA dropped -49.30% vs CMDT's -11.11%.
On 3-year performance, QABA leads with 22.25% vs 12.77% for CMDT. On fees, QABA is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, CMDT has been the lower-risk option at 3.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, QABA has performed better with a 22.25% return vs 12.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
QABA is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for CMDT.
CMDT has the higher dividend yield at 2.67%, compared with 2.22% for QABA.
QABA is categorized as Financials Equities, while CMDT is Commodities. QABA tracks NASDAQ OMX ABA Community Bank Index, while CMDT tracks Bloomberg Roll Select Commodity Total Return Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and PIMCO. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for QABA and 0.65% for CMDT.
CMDT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.71 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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