QABA vs. FTXL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QABA (First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund) and FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QABA is a Financials Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ OMX ABA Community Bank Index, while FTXL is a Semiconductors fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QABA returned 3.09%/yr vs 34.63%/yr for FTXL. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.60% expense ratio.

Performance

QABA vs. FTXL - 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 First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QABA achieves a 8.16% return, which is significantly lower than FTXL's 115.70% return.

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%

FTXL

• 1D: 2.21%
• 1M: 30.59%
• YTD: 115.70%
• 6M: 113.17%
• 1Y: 225.15%
• 3Y*: 61.52%
• 5Y*: 34.63%
• 10Y*: —

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

QABA vs. FTXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	115.70%	48.94%	7.59%	54.41%	-33.88%	36.04%	46.08%	61.77%	-14.47%	32.19%

Correlation

The correlation between QABA and FTXL is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.33
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2016	0.41

The correlation between QABA and FTXL shifts across timeframes, from 0.26 (1 year) to 0.41 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QABA vs. FTXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QABA	FTXL
Financial Services	99.7%	-
Industrials	0.3%	0.5%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	99.5%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

QABA vs. FTXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

FTXL

FTXL Risk / Return Rank: 97
FTXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
FTXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
FTXL Omega Ratio Rank: 96
FTXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
FTXL Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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. FTXL - 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 First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL). 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	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.83	6.33	-5.50
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.30	5.74	-4.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.78	-0.62
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.49	15.62	-14.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.69	58.28	-54.59
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. FTXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QABA Sharpe Ratio is 0.83, which is lower than the FTXL Sharpe Ratio of 6.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QABA and FTXL, 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	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83	6.33	-5.50
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12	0.97	-0.85
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.24	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.34	0.94	-0.59

Drawdowns

QABA vs. FTXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QABA drawdown since its inception was -49.30%, which is greater than FTXL's maximum drawdown of -43.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QABA and FTXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	QABA	FTXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.30%	-43.87%	-5.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.49%	-14.51%	+2.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.82%	-41.57%	+15.75%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.93%	-43.87%	+0.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.30%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.25%	0.00%	-4.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.43%	-10.56%	-0.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.02%	3.88%	+1.14%

Volatility

QABA vs. FTXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund (QABA) is 5.63%, while First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) has a volatility of 14.28%. This indicates that QABA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FTXL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QABA	FTXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.63%	14.28%	-8.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.22%	28.98%	-13.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.50%	35.94%	-13.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.50%	36.02%	-9.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.69%	34.25%	-5.56%

QABA vs. FTXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both QABA and FTXL have an expense ratio of 0.60%.

Dividends

QABA vs. FTXL - Dividend Comparison

QABA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.40%, more than FTXL's 0.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	0.12%	0.28%	0.54%	0.60%	0.89%	0.25%	0.48%	0.92%	0.71%	0.47%	0.12%	0.00%
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 QABA and FTXL in my portfolio?

QABA and FTXL have a correlation of 0.26, 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 FTXL?

FTXL has higher volatility (14.28%) compared to QABA (5.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QABA dropped -49.30% vs FTXL's -43.87%.

Which ETF is better, QABA or FTXL?

On 5-year performance, FTXL leads with 34.63% vs 3.09% for QABA. Both ETFs have the same 0.60% expense ratio. 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, QABA or FTXL?

Over the 5-year period, FTXL has performed better with a 34.63% return vs 3.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QABA or FTXL?

QABA and FTXL have the same expense ratio: 0.60% per year.

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

QABA has the higher dividend yield at 2.40%, compared with 0.12% for FTXL.

What is the main difference between QABA and FTXL?

QABA is categorized as Financials Equities, while FTXL is Semiconductors. QABA tracks NASDAQ OMX ABA Community Bank Index, while FTXL tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.33 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.